Saint Peter the Apostle High School
Curriculum for Excellence
Senior Phase Consultation
February / March 2013
PARENT
CONSULTATION
St Peter the Apostle High School
Curriculum for Excellence
Curriculum Plan Consultation - PARENTS
February / March 2013
Broad General Education
An extensive consultation with staff, parents and pupils in March 2011 informed a
number of important decisions regarding the development of the broad general
education:
a) Option choice at the end of S2. We were not satisfied that options at the end
of S1 would allow coverage of Third Level es/os for a number of subjects particularly the sciences. In addition, we were concerned that the end of S1
was too early in a child’s secondary school career to make informed choices
that could affect their learning for the next five years.
b) In S1 and S2 timetabled Interdisciplinary Learning for two periods a week
in order to deliver skills for life, learning and work and Health and Wellbeing
for one period a week. We obtained these periods by taking one period each
from Social Subjects and Art/Music in S1 and one period each from Music/Art
and Computing/Business Studies in S2. It is proposed that in light of the
WDC move to a 32 period week from August 2013, that the four
departments return to their original time allocation. The two periods of
IDL will be accommodated by the additional two periods in the school
week.
c) Personalisation and choice would be enhanced through effective pedagogy
in departments and through electives offered as part of the IDL programme in
the second half of S2.
d) In S3 pupils study eight subjects across eight curriculum areas but this
includes an element of choice. For example, a pupil could specialise in
geography within social studies. However, pupils will have a completely fresh
option choice at the end of S3. There would be nothing to prevent a pupil
moving from History to Geography or from Chemistry to Biology although it
is not anticipated that significant numbers of pupils would make such a choice.
Currently pupils in S3 have 1 period of HWB and 1 period of PE. The
current S3 have no timetabled IDL. It is proposed that from August
2013, the additional 2 periods in the school week are used to secure 2
periods of PE for all S3 pupils and 1 period of timetabled IDL.
Senior Phase
Originally SPTA understood that we had agreement to ‘phase-in’ the Senior Phase by,
for the first year only, offering eight options in S4. After discussion with the Director
in March 2012, we changed this to a structure which fitted with WDC policy, offering
a maximum of 6 subjects (4 periods each), plus 2 RE, 1 IDL and 3 PE / HWB. At this
stage our planning was in relation to a 30 period week. Since then the authority has
taken the decision to move to a 32 period week.
2
In relation to implementing the senior phase the following key principles will guide
future decisions and detail:
a) S4 – S6 will follow a single options structure comprising six columns. Two
of these columns will include WDC consortia opportunities, particularly at
National 7 level in the first year of implementation. WDC will provide further
guidance regarding a pedagogy for blended learning in relation to Advanced
Higher courses – authority decisions will inform timetabling arrangements for
these courses.
b) All pupils will experience two periods of RE from S1-S6.
c) In S4 pupils will undertake up to six National 4 / National 5 qualifications.
Although fourth level es/os will be covered in S3, together with the
opportunity to move into aspects of National 5 work, the new National 4 and 5
courses will not start until S4 following the end of S3 option choice
programme.
d) Acknowledging that learning undertaken in S3 will contribute to
learning in the senior phase, each of the six columns in the S4 options
structure options will be allocated at least four periods for National 4 and
5 courses. It is proposed that national 4 and 5 courses in English and
Maths will be allocated five periods.
e) During the first year of implementation (session 2013 – 2014) no S4 pupils
will by-pass lower level qualifications and embark on National 6 courses at the
start of S4. This may be considered a future progression route for pupils in
S4.
f) It is proposed that all pupils in S4 will experience 2 periods of PE, 1
period of HWB and 1 period of IDL.
g) In S5/S6 pupils will undertake up to 6 National 4 / National 5 / National 6 /
National 7 Qualifications. All National 6 courses will be allocated a minimum
of 5 periods. It is proposed that for most young people the 6th column will
be enriched with opportunities for young people to access PE, HWB and
skills for learning, life and work.
h) Taking into account the school roll, it is not anticipated that many S5/S6
pupils will be timetabled for National 4 and National 5 courses together with
S4. However, in order to broaden choice and secure efficiency of staffing this
could be accommodated, resulting in S5/S6 accessing a study period (as S4
national 4 and National 5 courses will be allocated 4 periods only).
3
St Peter the Apostle High School
Curriculum for Excellence
Curriculum Plan Consultation - PARENTS
January 2013
SUMMARY CONSULTATION PROPOSALS
1.
It is proposed that in light of the WDC move to a 32 period week from
August 2013 that social subjects, art, music, business studies and
computing return to their original time allocation in S1 and S2. The
two periods of timetabled IDL will be accommodated by the additional
two periods in the school week. (Please see curriculum plan table).
2.
Currently pupils in S3 have 1 period of HWB and 1 period of PE. The
current S3 have no timetabled IDL. It is proposed that from August
2013, the additional 2 periods in the school week are used to secure 2
periods of PE for all S3 pupils and 1 period of timetabled IDL. (Please
see curriculum plan table).
3.
Acknowledging that learning undertaken in S3 will contribute to
learning in the senior phase, it is proposed that each of the six columns
in the S4 options structure options will be allocated at least four
periods for National 4 and 5 courses. It is proposed that national 4 and
5 courses in English and Maths will be allocated five periods. (Please
see curriculum plan table).
4.
It is proposed that all pupils in S4 will experience 2 periods of PE, 1
period of HWB and 1 period of IDL. (Please see curriculum plan
table).
5.
In S5/S6 pupils will undertake up to 6 National 4 / National 5 /
National 6 / National 7 Qualifications. All National 6 courses will be
allocated a minimum of 5 periods. It is proposed that for most young
people the 6th column will be enriched with opportunities for young
people to access PE, HWB and skills for learning, life and work.
(Please see curriculum plan table).
4
St Peter the Apostle High School
Curriculum for Excellence
Curriculum Plan Consultation - PARENTS
February / March 2013
PARENT RESPONSE
Please use the box below to summarise your response to the key changes proposed in
relation to implementation of the senior phase. Please return to M. Vassie no later
than Tuesday 12th March 2013.
Chairperson: _________________________
Date: ________________
5
Saint Peter the Apostle High School
Proposed S1-S6 Curriculum Map
February 2013
S1
English
(4)
Maths
(4)
Mod Lang
(3)
S2
English
(4)
Maths
(4)
Mod Lang
(3)
S3
English
(4)
Maths
(4)
Option 1
(3)
Science
Social
(3)
(3)
Integrated Integrated
Science
(3)
Option 2
(3)
Social
(3)
Option 3
(3)
Technology
(5)
DGT (1)
H.E. (2)
Computing(1)
Bus Stud(1)
Arts
(3)
Music (1)
Art (2)
PE/HWB
(3)
RE
(2)
IDL
(2)
Technology
(5)
DGT
(2)
H.E.
(1)
Computing(1)
Bus St (1)
Arts
(3)
Music (2)
Art (1)
PE/HWB
(3)
RE
(2)
IDL/elects
(2)
Option 4
(3)
Option 5
(3)
Option 6
(3)
RE
(2)
PE/HWB
(3)
IDL
(1)
S4
English
(5)
Maths
(5)
Option 1
(4)
Option 2
(4)
Option 3
(4)
Option 4
(4)
RE
(2)
PE/HWB
(3)
IDL
(1)
S5/6
Option 1
(5)
Option 2
(5)
Option 3
(5)
Option 4
(5)
Option 5
(5)
Option 6
(5)
RE
(2)
6
7