Senior Phase

1. Senior Phase Meldrum Academy January 2013

2. S4-S6 • Pupils moving into S4 will choose up to 6 courses at the and of S3. • S5 pupils will choose up to 5 courses. S6 by negotiation on a points basis. • Courses will be one year long. • Courses will lead to National Qualifications awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), as at present. • Pupils will sit at exams at a level most appropriate to their own level of achievement and attainment. • There will be options of courses taught at Banff & Buchan and Aberdeen Colleges. • Wide range of co-curricular and extra curricular options.

3. Combined Senior Phase • Set up the school timetable so that S4, S5 and S6 can have the same choice of subjects. • E.g. an Accounting and Finance class working at level 5 can be open to pupils in S4, S5 and S6. • Classes that were not viable because of low numbers could now run. • More classes at different levels can operate so that pupils can be make good progress by working at the most appropriate level. • A wider range of courses and levels including new courses and subjects.

4. Building up qualifications • Pupil build up a portfolio of qualifications, achievements and experiences. • Greater focus on partnerships with colleges and universities, CLD, relevant work experience, other schools and volunteering in and out of school. • Greater focus on wider achievements both in and out of school. • Portfolio continues to be developed and added to after pupils have left school at work, college or university

5. Sue’s journey S4 Maths Level 5 English Level 5 History Level 5 Chemistry Level 5 French Level 5 Music level 5 Enjoys languages and music, thought about taking two languages but kept her options open with a science subject. Plays trumpet in school groups and hopes to pass an audition for North Aberdeenshire Orchestra.

6. Sue’s journey S5 Maths Level 5 English Level 5 History Level 5 Chemistry Level 5 French Level 5 Music level 5 Spanish Level 4/5 French Higher History Higher English Higher Music Higher Languages are a key strength. Made very good progress in English and History. Decides to add a second language – Spanish, starting from scratch but will do Higher in S6. Plays in school and Aberdeenshire orchestras.

7. Sue’s journey to study Languages at University Maths Level 5 English Level 5 History Level 5 Chemistry Level 5 French Level 5 Music level 5 Spanish Level 4/5 French Higher History Higher English Higher Music Higher Spanish Higher French Advanced Higher Music Advanced Higher Prefect, Depute House Captain, school & Aberdeenshire orchestra, buddy in French classes, Rotary Club sponsor Euroscola to Brussels, part-time employment as a distillery guide

8. Alan’s journey Maths Level 5 English Level 5 Graph Comm Level 5 College Rural Skills Level 4 Computing Level 4 Craft Skills (Wood) level 5 Alan has worked on a farm at weekends. He thinks that he would like to leave school at the end of S4 and go to college and take a course in agriculture. Alan has enjoyed technical subjects and maths. In S4 he attends a local college for one day per week and takes the Rural Skills course. He has a work experience placement with Aberdeenshire Council grounds maintenance team. Alan works with Skills Development Scotland and secures a modern apprenticeship with a local agricultural company.

9. Maths Level 5 English Level 5 Physics level 5 Design and Manf. level 5 Graph Comm level 5 Skills for Work College Graph Comm Higher Physics Higher College NC Engineer Maths Higher Stephen’s journey College NC Engineer In S3 Stephen thought that he could would like to work as a mechanical engineer and so he chose to spend one day a week at local college on practical course. He enjoyed college and joined the H+ scheme in S5. He did Higher maths and the school supported him with classes in engineering maths. He made a presentation to local employers as part of a business engagement evening and then was successful in getting and Oil and Gas Industry apprenticeship with Opito.

10. Steps to Work Level 3/4 EnglishAccessLevel 3 Supported Study Maths Access 3 Hospitality Access Level 3 Music Access Level 3 Child Care College Music Level 4/5 Child Care College Literacy Lauren’s journey Maths Personal Finance Level 4 Hospitality level 4/5 Lauren has a range of additional educational support needs. She is very hard working and responsible. Lauren enjoys the RDA sessions. In S4 Lauren attended a local FE college and studied Child Care at Level 4. She enjoyed this and decided to follow this course at the next level in S5 with a view to leaving school at the end of S5 to study Child Care on a full time basis. In addition, in S5 Lauren represented the school in the Taste of Grampian competition and had work experience in a creche.

11. Jo’s journey Maths Level 5 English Level 5 Physics Level 5 French Level 5 Biology Level 5 Maths Higher HumanBiology Higher Physics Higher English Higher French Higher Biology Advanced Higher ChemstryAdvanced Higher Chemistry level 5 ChemistryHigher Jo wanted to study medicine and chose three science subjects in S4 and followed these through into S5. She undertook the required medical work experience and volunteered in a local care home. Jo was a prefect, house captain and number buddy. She completed the silver DoE and went to The Gambia as part of the Gold.

12. Anne’s journey Maths Level 5 English Level 5 Business Man. Level 5 Accounts& Financ. Level 5 French Level 5 Maths Higher College NC course College NC course English 2-yr Higher English Higher College HNC French Higher Chemistry level 5 Accounts & Fin. Higher Anne really enjoyed the Business & Finance course in S3 and this gives her a direction for S4. In S5 she attend a local college for one day on the H+ course. She proves to be an excellent student and gains an HNC by the end of S6. Anne is a prefect and helps produce a community newsletter. Anne is offered entry to year 3 at university to study a business course (under the 2+2 scheme) but opts for yr 2 entry and takes Business with a European Language French.