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Leadership of CfE. Viewforth High School. Fife’s smallest High School Fife’s most unsuitable buildings Highest FMR in Fife Almost 67% pupils in SIMD 1-3 Set in a leafy area midst deprivation. Viewforth High School. Not MUCH going for us? Nothing could be further from the truth!.
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Viewforth High School • Fife’s smallest High School • Fife’s most unsuitable buildings • Highest FMR in Fife • Almost 67% pupils in SIMD 1-3 • Set in a leafy area midst deprivation
Viewforth High School • Not MUCH going for us? • Nothing could be further from the truth!
Viewforth High School • Pupils Proud of the school • Community confident in what we do • Parents trust us
Our Common Belief We change lives!
CfE - A wonderful opportunity • Skills for learning, life and work • Success or failure hangs on a positive experience in S3. • S5 most important year for qualifications. S4 exams taken “en route”.
Traditional S3 Curriculum – 30 period week • English and Maths - 4 periods per wk • PE (2), RE, SE • 6 Subjects 3 periods per wk
The HINGE question • “Why do youngsters have to be doing the same amount for each subject whether it is their first choice of their last?” ANSWER • Ease of timetabling • Equal treatment for all subjects
A Radical Thought • How can we arrange for youngsters to do more of the subjects they enjoy?
The Viewforth S3 model – 35 period week • English and Maths 4 periods per wk • SE and RE get 1 period • 5 Columns of 3 periods - Core • 5 Columns of 2 periods – Enrichment • One column reserved for Duke of Edinburgh or ASDAN Key Steps Awards
Breadth and Depth is S3 at Viewforth • The SAME subjects can be chosen as BOTH core and enrichment. • Pupils can opt for 2,3,5 or 6 periods per week of the SAME subject! • Pupils experience between 11 and 16 subjects per week. • Fast Track to Highers in S4
Personalisation and Choice in S3 • Personal Support – “Review of Learning and Planning the Next Steps” • All S2 Parents and Pupils invited for 30 minute interview with DHT to complete the course choice form.
Key Points Discussed • Which subjects do you think you would like to study in S4? • S3 curriculum then built in discussion with the DHT. • 5 periods for main choices. • 3 or 2 periods for other subjects • Breadth of curriculum ensured
Entering the Senior Phase • S3 Leads to an integrated Senior Phase • This year we piloted in 2 columns • From May 2014 will be extended to all columns (Separate SE, RE & PE)
The Integrated Senior Phase • One single Course Choice form used for Higher, N5 and N4. • Pupil and Parent interviews • Subjects and levels chosen from a COMMON menu.
The Senior Phase Course Choice Form • Five Columns of 6 periods and 1 of 5 • Highers and Advanced Highers get 6 periods • N5 and N4 courses 5 Periods
Outcomes • Pupils better prepared for the Senior Phase Attainment Raised? Fast Track pupils did well I2 • Less disruption in S3 and S4 classes • More pupils staying on into S5 & S6
Outcomes 2 • Pupils more engaged in learning • Parents more involved • More Positive destinations? • A TIRED but HAPPY staff!
We Don’t have all the answers! • Learning is about more than structures and frameworks • We need to do more on …… Employability, Partnership working, community interfacing, social equity and ……..
We are happy to share! • Viewforth High School, Kirkcaldy adrian.watt@fife.gov.uk
Our Common Belief • We change lives! • Time will tell!