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Parents as Partners. S4: New Qualifications. S Nicolson, HT. S4 Experience …. Same. Different. Qualifications structure Curriculum organisation Qualifications requirements Presentation levels ‘fall back’ position Assessment arrangements Prelims Study Leave Report Format
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Parents as Partners S4: New Qualifications S Nicolson, HT
S4 Experience … Same Different Qualifications structure Curriculum organisation Qualifications requirements Presentation levels ‘fall back’ position Assessment arrangements Prelims Study Leave Report Format Certification process Skills/ wider achievement Operational timeline Progression pathways • Expectations • Aspirations • Progression/careers planning • Target setting • Ethos • Learning and teaching • Shared responsibility • Pupil/parent/school • Support and challenge • Study and work rate • Subject content (more or less) • Qualifications levels
Curriculum Organisation • Up to 7 subjects: SQA certification • Literacy and numeracy certification • Core entitlement • PE (2), PSE (1), RE (1) • Extra-curricular activities • Trips/excursions/visits • School events • Work experience
N4/5 Requirements AVU Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3
Presentation levels • S3: • Core work on 4th level E/Os (N4 level) • Differentiated to meet pupils’ needs • Designed to lead into S4 courses • Evidence: • Prior attainment – S3 • Classwork/ Homework • Coursework • N4 AVU • N5 Unit assessments • November assessments • Most S4 pupils will aim towards N5 unless there is clear evidence that they are unlikely to reach this level.
“Fallback” position National 4 Pass National 5 A/B/C/D/ No Award National 4 Pass
S4 Assessment periods S4 Assessment: Nov/Dec SQA Diet: May Exemption from attendance during the exam period Staff available: consultation/support ‘Opt-in’ Provision made for those sitting no/few exams Structured independent research Skills development for N5 Extended work experience Preparation for work • No attendance exemption period • N5 Prelims/Assessments • N4 AVU OR N4 Unit assessment OR N4 Coursework task
Benefits of N4/5 Reduced exam burden: only 1 ‘exam’ level Reduced stress/anxiety More focussed exam preparation N4 “Safety net” Calculated risks more viable for some potential N5 candidates Protection for vulnerable learners • Improved articulation with ‘Higher’ • Increased challenge for most able • Opportunity for recognition beyond ‘Credit 1’ • Literacy /Numeracy recognised as different to English /Mathematics • Variety of ways to demonstrate learning • ‘Skills’ as well as ‘knowledge’
Issues and Challenges Technical issues No ‘automatic’ fallback position Potential delay in certification Literacy/Numeracy bridging Progression for those who fail at N5 pass N5 at “C” Adaptive challenges • Operational timeline • Presentation levels • Communication with parents • Assessment periods/ ‘Study leave’ • Target setting and tracking • Lack of historical data • External anxieties: impact on pupils
Questions … • From the floor • Individually • In writing (responses collated for FAQ paper) This presentation will be available on our website: www.strathaven.s-lanark.sch.uk