Curriculum Changes

1
Curriculum Changes

• S3 to S6

2
Old System

• S3 took 8 different two-year courses
• Many courses at Standard Grade
• A few courses at Int 1 and Int 2
• In S5/6 all courses were one-year courses
• Most classes had Int 2 and Higher together, a few
  had Int 1 also

3
Why did we change?

• Courses were not always available at the levels
  required
• The very able and those of lower ability were
  most affected
• New courses e.g. Rural Skills would not be viable
  
• There was a lack of flexibility

4
New System S3-6 (2007/08)

• Current S3
• PSE/RME/Core PE - unchanged
• English/Maths/French no major changes
• Take only 3 other courses (not 5) in S3
• Will take 3 more courses in S4
• These may be different subjects
• These may be the same subjects but at the next
  level up
• Current S4
• No change - interim year
• Current S5/6
• No change to system, but extra courses on offer

5
New System - Advantages

• Improved inclusion and provision for pupils at
  both ends of the ability range
• Better match of course level to ability
• Increased subject choice for pupils
• Pupils able to specialise
• Better preparation for exams and improved results
• Improved preparation for life after school

6
New System Disadvantages Then

• A few teachers didnt think this would help their
  subject
• A few teachers didnt think pupils should be
  sitting any national exams in S3
• Pupils may be out of a subject for a year
• There may be some difficulty if it is necessary
  to change levels during the course

7
New System Disadvantages Now

• One or two teachers dont think this suits their
  subject
• Some teachers worry that pupils may be out of a
  subject for a year
• S3 have found Int 1 courses quite easy but too
  big a step to Int 2
• Do S3 have the maturity to be as successful as
  they can be at Int 2?

8
Next Steps?

• No more changes
• Eng/Maths/French over 2 years (4 or 5 periods a
  week)
• 3 one-year courses in each of S3 and S4 (7
  periods)
• Alternative 1
• English taken as one-year courses in S3-5
  (7periods)
• Maths French taken by all until end of S3 (3
  periods)
• Maths French are optional subjects from S4
  onwards
• Alternative 2
• English taken as one-year courses in S3-5
  (7periods)
• French becomes an optional subject from S3
  onwards
• Maths taken by all until end of S3 (6 periods)
• Maths becomes an optional subject from S4 onwards

9
Curriculum Plans

• Current (new) System
• Subject Eng Maths French PSE/PE/RME opt
  1/opt 2/opt 3
• Periods 5 4 4 2 2 2 7
  7 7
• Eng/Maths/(French) taken over 2 years, option
  subjects in 1 year.
• Alternative 1
• S3 Subject Eng Maths French PSE/PE/RME opt
  1/opt 2/opt 3
• Periods 7 3 3 2 2
  2 7 7 7
• S4 Subject Eng PSE/PE/RME opt 1/opt 2/opt
  3/opt 4
• Periods 7 2 2 1 7 7
  7 7
• English taken as one-year courses in S3-5.
• Alternative 2
• S3 Subject Eng Maths PSE/PE/RME opt 1/opt
  2/opt 3
• Periods 7 6 2 2 2 7
  7 7
• S4 Subject Eng PSE/PE/RME opt 1/opt 2/opt
  3/opt 4
• Periods 7 2 2 1 7 7
  7 7
• English taken as one-year courses in S3-5.

10
Advantages of Each

• Current system
• Pupils get gentle introduction to formal exams
  without having too many subjects being assessed
  at the end of S3
• Maths (and French?) remain a priority in S3 and
  S4
• Alternative 1 2
• Both offer an increased focus on English and
  literacy
• Much greater flexibility in English allowing i)
  classes to be made up of similar ability rather
  than similar age ii) the possibility of offering
  Media Studies
• Alternative 1
• High fliers in Maths could still choose Maths as
  an option
• Alternative 2
• Gives good grounding in Maths for all but then
  allows the interested to continue without the
  conscripts

11
Disadvantages of Each

• Current system
• Lack of flexibility
• Alternative 1 2
• Reduced time in French and Maths, lower level of
  qualification for all (unless choose in S4)
• Reduced RME in S4 (RME into S5?)
• No chance of meeting PE target 2 hours/week
• Alternative 1
• Would this give sufficient Maths in S3 for e.g.
  pupils taking Int 2 sciences?
• Alternative 2
• Too easy to drop French?

12

• Thank you for listening.
• Questions please!
• What do you think?