Senior Phase

S5 into S6 Pathway Planning

December 2020

Reasons for Returning?

Senior Phase

Expectations

Pathways

Qualifications

Portfolio

Making choices for S6

• Courses available to S6 students will be at 3 levels: Level 5, Level 6 or Level 7.

• In S6 you will study a minimum of 4 courses

• You may choose a college based course as one of your 5 options.

S4:

7 subjects

S5:

5 subjects

S6:

4 or 5 subjects

Level 7

Level 6 Level 6

Level 5 Level 5 Level 5

Level 4 Level 4

SCQF & Expectations

Each SCQF Point = 10 hours of learning time:

• Advanced Higher = 32 Points at Level 7

• Higher = 24 Points at Level 6

• National 5 = 24 Points at Level 5

Which Level?

Consider the quality of the pass you hope to have at the end of this session and think about the following:

• A pass at N4 doesn’t always mean N5 is guaranteed.

• N5 ‘C’ to Higher? Can be challenging - even for most able.

• Higher ‘C’ to Advanced Higher?

• Is it better to do a mix of Nationals and Highers?

Seek advice from teachers, tutors and Head/Depute House

National Progression Awards

• NPAs are aimed at developing students’ knowledge and understanding in a given area of vocational education.

• The aim is to provide a solid basis for progression into further education and training, as well as higher education.

• No final exam/Pass of units required.

Skills for Work Courses

• SfW courses focus on employability skills needed for success in the workplace.

• SfW courses help young people to develop their self-confidence and practical skills that relate to the world of work provides real benefits to learners.

• No final exam/Pass of units required.

Where will courses be delivered?

• Dumfries Academy

• Dumfries and Galloway College

• Barony College

• DLT Network/Bridge

• Online

College Academy and Foundation Apprenticeships?

Assistance with Subject Choices

• AIM document

• Subject Descriptor booklet

• Website – School and college

• Careers Information / SDS

• Next Steps and Key dates Leaflet

Guidance also available from Tutor Teacher,

Class Teacher and Head of House

S6 ‘Double Core’ Choices & Wider Achievement

2) Duke of Edinburgh

Award

3) Young Enterprise

Award 4) Departmental

Support/Mentoring /

Shadowing

1) Physical

Education

S6 Committees & Citizenship

2) Ethos &

Engagement

3) Eco- Schools

and

Environment

4) Newsletter and

Digital

Communication

1) Charities

& Events

Your Options

• Your final option form will be presented to you in February 2021.

• We hope to be able to give everybody their first choices but we need to know what your preferences are before then to help us design the best possible option choice form for your year group.

• To help with this, extra time will found to work with your tutor and an academic mentor.

Academic Mentoring

• On the afternoon of Tuesday 25 January you will be with your tutor for the double period. In this time you will be scheduled for 10 minute meeting with a member of the schools’ management team.

• You will be expected to prepare for this meeting with an idea of how school is going for you, plans for life after school and what subjects you are interested in studying next year.

• Your tutor will help you with this next week on Thursday 10 December when you will meet with them for the double period.

• Your class teachers over this week and next will also give you more information on courses available for next year.

Academic Mentoring

• You will then meet with your academic mentor three times between now and April 2021 and continue to do so when you are in S5 and beyond.

• At these meetings you will discuss how well school is going for you, your pathways through school and pathways beyond school and help you through the subject choice process. Your tutor will support you and give you guidance for these meetings.

Every pupil must meet with their mentor.

Who are my Academic Mentors?

• 5B1 – Mr Leonard and Ms Kell

• 5H1 – Mrs Wilson and Mrs McQuarrie

• 5H2 – Mrs Dillon and Mrs Murray

• 5L1 – Miss Barton and Mr Grierson

• 5L2 – Mr Drennan and Mr Knox

• 6B1 – Mr Dillon and Miss Haile

• 6H1 – Mrs McFadyen and Miss Mair

• 6L1 – Mr Aitken and Mr Mika