Building Our Curriculum – Senior Phase
Senior Phase
The Senior Phase of Curriculum for Excellence offers pupils the opportunity to plan their
learning pathway over three years from S4 to S6. In order to plan effectively we have
introduced a column structure to our course choice process. The intention is that the choices
will remain, as far as possible, in the same column each year so that pupils can map out their
pathway over the three years of the Senior Phase.
Things to Consider
When making important decisions about courses, you should bear in mind the following
factors, as have been identified by officials of the Scottish Qualifications Authority,
which administers national exams.

Keep as many career options open as possible. You may still change your mind
several times before leaving school.

If you have a particular career, Further or Higher Education course in mind you
must check the entry qualifications before choosing your subjects. The Careers
Library, Careers Adviser and Guidance teachers will help you investigate
recommended entry level. You would be well advised to choose subjects which
keep open as many other options as possible. After all, you may well change
your mind.
Progressing to S4
Pupils in S4 will study for six National courses. All pupils will do English and
Mathematics and make four other choices. Pupils are advised to choose a balanced
curriculum which offers the best chance of success and gives the opportunity for
further progression in S5 and S6. In exceptional circumstances it may be possible for
pupils to be presented for a Higher in S4. Guidance staff will advise pupils on their
choices and will be in contact with parents if required.
Progressing to S5
Returning for a fifth year at school can be rewarding and challenging. If you return to
S5 it will be your most demanding year at school. All pupils returning to S5 must choose
5 full courses, Higher/National, and one enhancement course to broaden their
experience. Some pupils may opt for 6 full courses but this must be approved by the
pupil’s Depute Head Teacher.
In S5 it is advisable for pupils to continue with subjects which have been studied in S4.
Progressing to S6
Those pupils who have displayed a commitment to education in their fifth year are
welcome to return for a sixth year. This can be an excellent preparation for future
academic study and also gives an opportunity to prepare for the world beyond school.
Pupils must have a viable and sustainable timetable, one that will continue for the
whole year. We cannot accept part-time pupils into sixth year.
Pupils in S6 have more flexibility in their final year of study in their subject choice but all
pupils must meet the minimum points requirement
S6 Tariff – Citizenship and Personal Development Activities
Paired Reading (per junior pupil)
Classroom Tutoring (per period per week)
Primary Classroom Support (per weekly session)
Buddying
Charities Committee
Senior Prom
Yearbook
Lunchtime Club (per lunchtime per week)
Learning Centre Support (per period per week)
Work Experience
S6 Tariff – Academic Courses
Advanced Higher Courses
Higher
National 5
Preparation of Art Folio for Art College entry (suitable
for Advanced Higher Art & Design pupils only)
YASS – Young Applicants in Schools Scheme Scotland
modules
S6@Uni Science courses at Aberdeen University
Baccalaureate
Enhancement course
3 points
3 points
5 points
2 points
2 points
2 points
2 points
3 points
3 points
10 points
22 points
17 points
15 points
10 points
10 points
10 points
10 points
6 points
S6 pupils are required to have a minimum of 66 tariff points
Careers Advice
All secondary schools in Aberdeen City have a careers adviser attached, employed by Skills
Development Scotland. From S4 onwards, the careers adviser meets pupils to help them
develop career management skills. This meeting can be in the form of group work, a drop in
clinic, a one off interview or a series of interviews over a period of time.
As young people begin to explore their options for further learning and work, it is important that
they identify their skills and strengths as they make decisions about what they want to do next.
Working with school staff Skills Development Scotland can help young people get ready for this
exciting stage in their lives and prepare for their future.
SDS provides a range of support to help pupils to develop career management skills they’ll need
all of their lives and to make well-informed decisions about their career pathways.
Schools are now building career management into their curricula. In addition group sessions,
drop-in lunchtime clinics and face-to-face coaching, where appropriate, is supported by My
World of Work web service, (www.myworldofwork.co.uk). It provides information on different
careers, how to build and customise CVs, search for jobs, source funding for learning, apply for
further or higher education and many other tools.
Career advisers will help pupils who need some tailored support to explore the training and
skills necessary for the job or career which is right for them.
Pupils with a Record of Needs/Individual Learning Plan will normally have a meeting with the
Careers Adviser before, or after, Future Needs Assessment. The Careers Adviser may also
attend Future needs and other reviews where appropriate.
Developing Career Management Skills is not a one-off event which ceases when the young
person leaves school. Young people are encouraged to contact SDS if circumstances change –
perhaps after the publication of exam results or after a period of employment or further
education.
SDS contacts all school leavers in September and March as part of the Scottish Government
School Leavers Destination Report. This exercise allows SDS to check a young person’s plan has
worked out and also to offer support should they need it.
For local information please contact the local SDS centre at 381 Union Street or call 01224
285200. If a young person has any queries about seeing the careers adviser in school, they
should speak to their guidance teacher in the first instance.
Senior Phase Journey
In order to map your progress please complete the following:
S4 / S5 Attainment
Subject
Level
Grade*
*Pupils going into S5 should note down the grade which they are
PREDICTED to achieve (this may not be the same as your target grade and
must be predicted by your class teacher)
Instructions for completion of Course Choices
1. Please select a subject you wish to study from each of the
columns. S6 are required to have a minimum of 66 tariff
points.S5 pupils must choose 6 courses, only one of which
can be an enhancement course.
2. Select the level at which you wish to study the subject.
(Make sure that the level you wish to study is available in
the column).
3. Take your form to the class teacher in your subject. They
will then sign off your choice as appropriate for you. This
must be done if you wish to continue with the subject at
your chosen level.
4. If you are new to the subject and therefore have no class
teacher then take your form to be signed by the faculty head
of the chosen subject.
New S4 Course Choice Process
Processes for you to Understand
1. Read the information provided in the course choice booklets.
2. Discuss possible choices with subject teachers who can advise you about the
content of the S4 courses.
3. When finalising your choices you should seek the advice of your Guidance Teacher
about matching your course and study requirements to your abilities.
4. Please discuss your choices at home
5. Parent/Carer will be invited in where it is felt necessary.
Timeline of Events
Date
Process
Actions
02.02.15
S3 Briefing at the HWB day
 Guidance teachers will issue the course
choice booklet and choice form. They will go
through the course choice process with
pupils.
11.02.15
Information Evening for New S4
 SMT to give a presentation
12.02.15
Issue survey monkey instructions for
new S4
 Pupils discuss choices at home and with
Guidance teacher.
25.2.15
S3 Parent’s evening
 Parents meet with teachers
26.2.15
Survey monkey for new S4 goes live
 Pupils to enter choices at home
3.3.15
Survey Monkey closes
 Pupils should have their choices entered
New Year 5 Course Choice Process
Processes for you to Understand
1. Ensure that you have discussed your options with subject staff and have secured
their recommendations before you meet with your Guidance teacher
2. When finalising your options you should seek the advice of your Guidance Teacher /
Careers Adviser / FE & HE personnel about:

Entry requirements / going rates for Further or Higher Education

Matching your course and study requirements to your abilities
3. Please discuss your options at home
4. Pupils going into S5 and S6 are responsible for the completion of their Senior Phase
Option Sheet.
5. Pupils who have made choices which have not been signed off by their teachers will
be interviewed by their Guidance teacher. Please ensure you have made
appropriate choices at the appropriate level. Only option sheets where all subjects
are signed off will be processed by Miss Gordon.
6. If you wish to discuss your choices, you should make an appointment with your
Guidance teacher.
7. You must complete the attainment sheet before you ask teachers to sign off your
options.
8. Parent/Carer will be invited in where it is felt necessary.
Sample: For pupil going into S5
S4 Attainment
Subject
English
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
Geography
French
Level
Nat 5
Nat 4
Nat 5
Nat 5
Nat 5
Nat 5
Grade*
C
Pass
B
B
A
B
*Pupils going into S5 should note down the grade which they are PREDICTED to
achieve (this may not be the same as your target guide and must be predicted by your
class teacher)
Timeline
Date
Process
Actions
Tuesday 27th and
Wednesday 28th
January
Friday 6th February
Monday 26th January
Friday 20th February
Issue course choice
booklets and course
choice sheet
National reports issued
Student Options Sheets
Completed
Guidance teachers to explain the
process
Wednesday 11th
February
Friday 20th February
Information evening
SMT to give presentations
S5 Course Choice Sheets
to Guidance teachers
Pupils hand completed Options
forms to Guidance teachers
Pupils gather recommendations from
staff for subjects they wish to do
IT MUST BE EMPHASISED THAT WE CAN GIVE NO GUARANTEE THAT ALL
COURSES WILL RUN. CLASSES CAN ONLY BE FORMED WHERE NUMBERS
ARE VIABLE AND JUSTIFY THE FORMATION OF A CLASS.
New Year 6 Course Choice Process
Processes for you to Understand
1. Ensure that you have discussed your options with subject staff and have secured
their recommendations before you meet with your Guidance teacher
2. When finalising your options you should seek the advice of your Guidance Teacher /
Careers Adviser / FE & HE personnel about:

Entry requirements / going rates for Further or Higher Education

Matching your course and study requirements to your abilities
3. Please discuss your options at home
4. Pupils going into S5 and S6 are responsible for the completion of their Senior Phase
Option Sheet.
5. Pupils who have made choices which have not been signed off by their teachers will
be interviewed by their Guidance teacher. Please ensure you have made
appropriate choices at the appropriate level. Only option sheets where all subjects
are signed off will be processed by Miss Gordon.
6. If you wish to discuss your choices, you should make an appointment with your
Guidance teacher.
7. You must complete the attainment sheet before you ask teachers to sign off your
options.
8. Parent/Carer will be invited in where it is felt necessary.
Sample: For pupil going into S6
S4 Attainment
Subject English
Maths
Chemistry Biology
Geography
French
Computing
Art
Level
Nat 5
Nat 4
Nat 5
Nat 5
Nat 5
Nat 5
Nat 5
Nat
5
Grade*
C
Pass
B
B
A
B
A
C
*Pupils going into S6 should note the grade achieved in the SQA examinations.
S5 Attainment
Subject
English
Maths
Chemistry
Biology
French
Level
Higher
Higher
Higher
Higher
Higher
Grade*
C
B
A
B
C
*Pupils going into S6 should note down the grade which they are PREDICTED to
achieve (this may not be the same as your target grade and must be predicted by your
class teacher).
Timeline
Date
Process
Actions
Tuesday 10th February
(period 6)
Tuesday 10th February
Monday 23rd February
Course Choice booklet and
Sheet Issued
Pupil Choice Sheet
Completed
Tuesday 24th February
Choice sheets handed to
Guidance
Guidance teacher to explain the
process.
Pupils gather recommendations from
staff for subjects they wish to do
and discuss with guidance if
necessary.
Data to be entered
IT MUST BE EMPHASISED THAT WE CAN GIVE NO GUARANTEE THAT ALL COURSES
WILL RUN. CLASSES CAN ONLY BE FORMED WHERE NUMBERS ARE VIABLE AND
JUSTIFY THE FORMATION OF A CLASS.
S6 Course Choice Recommendation Form
Column
A
B
C
D
E
F
Subject
Level
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
*Teacher
Approved
Signature
Recommended level if
Not approved
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
AH
Higher
National
Tariff points total: __________
(Please calculate your total prior to handing your sheet to your Guidance teacher)
* There cannot be a condition attached e.g. If a pupil achieves a particular grade.
It should simply be approved / not approved.
If a subject teacher is unable to approve your choice at this stage further discussion
may be required with PTPS/DHT to find a more appropriate subject choice.
Parent/Carer signature ___________________________________
S5 Course Choice Recommendation Form
Column
A
B
C
D
E
F
Subject
Level
*Teacher
Approved
Signature
Recommended level if
Not approved
Higher
Higher
National
National
Higher
Higher
National
National
Higher
Higher
National
National
Higher
Higher
National
National
Higher
Higher
National
National
Higher
Higher
National
National
* There cannot be a condition attached e.g. If a pupil achieves a particular grade.
It should simply be approved / not approved.
If a subject teacher is unable to approve your choice at this stage further discussion
may be required with PTPS/DHT to find a more appropriate subject choice.
Parent/Carer signature ___________________________________
REMINDER: You must choose 5 full subjects and 1 Enhancement. There is no
requirement to have the enhancements choice signed by a teacher, you just simply
write the name of the enhancement in the subject box of the relevant column.
S4 Course Choice Recommendation Form
Column
Subject
Level
National
A
National
B
National
C
National
D
National 4
E
ENGLISH
National 5
National 5 over 2
years
National 4
F
MATHS
National 5
National 5 over 2
years
Parent/Carer signature ___________________________________
Instructions for Data Entry in Survey Monkey