In the fifth and sixth years, greater emphasis is given to the preparing for entry to further or higher education, or for going into employment, and to helping pupils to gain the necessary qualifications to follow their chosen pathway.

Instead of eight subjects pupils will take a maximum of five in any one year. To ensure progression to the appropriate level, the S3-4 option structure forms the basis of choice for S5-6. English, Maths and French are optional subjects and will be so placed in the option structure to enable flexibility of choice.

The subjects to be studied in S5 and S6 will usually be those in which the pupil has gained the best results in S4, with progression to higher levels determined by the pupil’s S4 Standard Grade results. It is expected that a pupil with five or more credit passes at Standard grade will progress to study five Highers in S5.

The progression to these higher levels is as follows:

• credit passes (grades 1–2) Higher courses
• general passes (grades 3–4) Intermediate 2 courses
• foundation passes (grades 5–6) Intermediate 1 courses.

Access level courses will be provided, where appropriate, in relation to the needs of individual pupils.

In S6, students normally progress to the next higher level of award in courses they have completed in S5, or take new courses at the appropriate level based on their previous Standard Grade passes.

Each course at all levels will be made up of units (usually three, each requiring 40 hours of study). Each unit involves assessment by the school (internal assessment) to determine whether a pupil has passed or failed. Credit will be given for each unit passed. Pupils may re-sit a failed assessment once. If the pupil fails to pass the re-sit, s/he may continue with the course and will receive certification for the units passed, but cannot gain the full National Qualification.

Constraints of staffing and accommodation may require courses at more than one level to be taught in the same class. There may also be restrictions placed on section numbers for the same reason.

The Curriculum for Excellence will in due course have an impact on the upper stages, but whatever happens, the senior school will still be the stage at which pupils will specialise in specific subjects and gain Higher and other qualifications.

Core Skills

Core skills are not a new feature of education. In our rapidly developing world, core skills are an essential foundation for life-long personal development. School leavers may face several career changes during their working life and core skills will help them to be adaptable. Under Higher Still there will be opportunities for assessment and certification of core skills to recognise students’ achievements.

Core skills to be developed through Higher Still courses:

• communication – effective speaking and writing
• numeracy – using numbers and graphical information
• problem solving – critical thinking, planning, organising, reviewing and evaluating
• information technology – using computers and information technology
• working with others – managing tasks, working in a team.

S4 - S5 Subject Choice Programme

This programme, similar to that offered to S2 students, is delivered by Guidance staff and careers officers from January to March each year.

The topics covered are:

• 16+ Options video – ‘Why stay on’
• Further Education – ‘Going to College’
• Employment and Training
• Higher Education: ‘Focus on HE’
• Personal Action Plans
• Use of the Careers library

Subject choices are finalised toward the end of March.