Auchinleck Academy

Auchinleck Academy

S4/5 Options

Information Booklet

Contents

THE SENIOR OPTIONS PROGRAMME : SESSION 2015-2016 4

ADMINISTRATION AND IT 8

HIGHER ADMINISTRATION AND IT 9

ART AND DESIGN 9

HIGHER ART AND DESIGN 11

ADVANCED HIGHER ART 11

BIOLOGY 13

HIGHER BIOLOGY 14

ADVANCED HIGHER BIOLOGY 15

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 16

HIGHER BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 16

CHEMISTRY 17

HIGHER CHEMISTRY 19

ADVANCED HIGHER CHEMISTRY 20

COMPUTING SCIENCE 21

HIGHER COMPUTING SCIENCE 21

ADVANCED HIGHER COMPUTING SCIENCE 23

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES 24

DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE 25

HIGHER DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE 26

ENGLISH 26

ADVANCED HIGHER ENGLISH 28

FRENCH 30

HIGHER FRENCH 31

GEOGRAPHY 32

HIGHER GEOGRAPHY 33

GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION 34

HIGHER GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION 35

Advanced Higher Graphic Communication 36

Health and Food Technology Higher 37

HISTORY 38

HIGHER HISTORY 38

ADVANCED HIGHER HISTORY 40

HOSPITALITY 41

Hospitality - Practical Cake Craft 42

MATHEMATICS 43

ADVANCED HIGHER MATHEMATICS 45

MODERN STUDIES 46

HIGHER MODERN STUDIES 47

ADVANCED HIGHER MODERN STUDIES 48

MUSIC 49

HIGHER MUSIC 50

ADVANCED HIGHER MUSIC 51

MUSIC TECHNOLOGY 52

PHOTOGRAPHY 53

PHYSICAL EDUCATION – National 5 54

HIGHER PHYSICAL EDUCATION 55

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Performance 56

PHYSICS 57

HIGHER PHYSICS 58

HIGHER PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT WITH WORK EXPERIENCE 59

PRACTICAL CRAFT SKILLS - WOODWORKING 60

PRACTICAL CRAFT SKILLS – METALWORKING 61

SCIENCE 62

SPANISH 63

HIGHER SPANISH 64

PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT 65

CONSTRUCTION 66

MOTOR VEHICLE 67

EARLY EDUCATION & CHILDCARE 67

BEAUTY SKILLS WITH HAIRDRESSING 68

ENGINEERING SKILLS 69

UNIFORMED SERVICES 70

SCOTTISH STUDIES 72

FINANCIAL EDUCATION 73

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 74

Scottish Baccalaureates (S6 only) 75

Open University Courses (S6 only) 76

HIGHER PSYCHOLOGY 77

THE SENIOR OPTIONS PROGRAMME : SESSION 2015-2016

The new Curriculum for Excellence National Qualifications programme is now underway within the school and a full range of courses including Advanced Higher will be offered to students. Our students can progress from National 3, 4 or 5 to National 4, 5 Higher or Advanced Higher. Consequently the new National Qualification courses cater for the entire spectrum of ability.

The programme is clearly inclusive and provides progression for all students moving from S4 into S5/6. Some possible progression routes are shown below:

S4 / S5
National 5 / Higher
National 4 / National 5
National 3 / National 4
S5 / S6
Higher / Advanced Higher
Intermediate 2 / Higher
Intermediate 1 / National 4 or 5
Access 3 / National 3 or 4

Senior students should be looking at progression over 2 years when choosing options for S5. Each student will select one subject from each column making 5 in all. English is compulsory for all S5 students. The Pathways to Employment programme offers a range of vocational courses for students who wish to make the transition to work or training when they leave school.

In sixth year there is a free choice with students electing for 4 subjects (minimum). Advanced Higher will be offered in a range of subjects each session depending on demand.

It is very important for young people to have a clear vision as to their career pathways. Students who wish to move into Higher education should make use of the appropriate section of the Library to check on the subject and grade requirements for particular courses.

This booklet will provide useful information on both subject content and the nature of assessment. New National Qualification courses involve internal assessments at the end of each unit which count towards the eventual award.

If you would like any more information about the senior option process or any of the courses on offer, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment with the appropriate member of staff:

·  Afton Mr Robertson Depute Mr Beattie PT Guidance

·  Ballochmyle Mrs Macara Depute Mr McGeady PT Guidance

·  Lochlea Mrs Devine Depute Mr Tickner PT Guidance

·  Mossgeil Mrs Grove Depute Mrs McPheator PT Guidance

Peter Gilchrist

Head Teacher

COURSES AVAILABLE

AUCHINLECK ACADEMY 2016 - 2017

SUBJECT / ADVANCED HIGHER (TBC) / HIGHER / National 5 / National 3/4
Administration / ü / ü / ü
Art & Design / ü / ü / ü
Biology / ü / ü
Business Management / ü / ü
Chemistry / ü / ü
Computing / ü / ü
Creative Industries / ü
Design and Manufacture / ü / ü
English / ü / ü / ü
French / ü / ü
Geography / ü / ü
Graphic Communication / ü / ü
Health and Food Technology / ü / ü
History / ü / ü / ü
Hospitality (Practical Cookery) / ü / ü
Maths / ü / ü / ü
Modern Studies / ü / ü
Music / ü / ü / ü
Music Technology / ü
PE / ü / ü
PE – Performance/CSLA / ü / ü
Personal Development with Work Experience / ü / ü / ü
Philosophy / ü / ü
Physics / ü
Photography / ü
Practical Cake Craft / ü
Practical Craft Skills - Metal / ü / ü
Practical Craft Skills - Wood / ü / ü
Psychology / ü / ü
Spanish / ü / ü
Scottish Studies / ü / ü

UCAS

With a few exceptions, applications to full-time courses of higher education are made through a central ‘clearing house’ called UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service).

All UCAS applications are now completed online and all information is available on the UCAS website www.ucas.com/apply.

An applicant can apply for up to 5 courses: Before beginning the process, all applicants are invited to attend a UCAS training session and help is given with personal statements during the PSE programme and from their Guidance teacher.

The school will provide a reference which is sent with the application form

The form should be completed and sent to guidance for adding the reference by the beginning of December as the closing date for applications is in January – However for students wishing to apply for medicine, dentistry and vet medicine their applications MUST be received by UCAS by the 15th October, so it needs to be given to Guidance before the end of September. Applicants for these courses also have to sit an entrance test (UKCAT) which they must organise themselves. Similarly applicants for law must arrange to sit the LNAT entrance test. Details of how to go about this can be found in the UCAS website.

There are also special arrangements for specific courses eg music and drama. Students must ensure they read details of how to apply for these courses carefully to ensure they meet the criteria. There are definite advantages in applying early so it is important that you give the application prompt attention.

THE S5/6 GUIDANCE PROGRAMME

Personal and Social Education Programme

All students in S5/6 will follow the senior PSE programme and will attend PSE once a week.

This programme includes lessons on the following areas:

-  careers information

-  workshops on completing application forms

-  interview preparation

-  applying to University

-  mental health

-  substance misuse

-  sexual health and relationships

Throughout the year, there will be visits from outside agencies eg, local businesses, health visitors, finance advisors in addition to speakers from Colleges and Universities.

Individual advice on subject choices, class progress, career information, coping with stress and applying for jobs and college courses will be available from the Guidance team and Skills Development Scotland.

EDUCATION MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE

1. INTRODUCTION

Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) are provided by all local education authorities in Scotland. The EMA is a weekly allowance, payable from Monday to Friday, and can only be paid for weeks with 100% attendance.

EMAs provide financial support for 16 to 19 year olds from low income households who undertake appropriate full time courses at school or college. The scheme is administered by East Ayrshire Council.

2. KEY FEATURES OF THE EMA

* EMAs will be paid direct to the young person’s bank account.

* The EMA will comprise a weekly allowance payable during term time.

* The allowance will be paid in batches of two weeks at a time

* Payment of an EMA will normally be restricted to a maximum of two years for any individual student. However, some young people with special educational needs may be entitled to more than two years.

3. ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

In order to qualify for receipt of an EMA from August applicants need to satisfy the following eligibility conditions:

* The applicant must be in S5 or S6. EMAs can only be paid once the young person has reached the school leaving age. For August payments, they need to be 16 before the end of September and for January payments they need to be 16 before the end of February

* The applicant must normally be resident in East Ayrshire but full details are available in the EMA form.

Once the application has been approved

* The applicant must obtain a learning agreement from their Guidance Teacher.

4. THE FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT

Applicants will require to satisfy a financial assessment, based on total taxable parental income. Documentary proof will have to be supplied to support the application. Full details are available in the EMA form.

a)  A P60 (or P60 substitute) from 2008/2009

5. THE EMA LEARNING AGREEMENT

General Guidance

To be eligible for an EMA, students must have signed a learning agreement that must also be countersigned by their parent or responsible adult and by an appropriate representative of the school.

East Ayrshire Council may discontinue EMA payments where the information supplied by the institution states that the student has failed to comply with their learning agreement regarding meeting course requirements, attendance, timekeeping and behaviour.

ADMINISTRATION AND IT

Introduction

This course aims to develop pupils’ administrative and IT skills and enable them to:

·  Develop an understanding of administration in any workplace and key legislation affecting both organisations and employees.

·  Develop an understanding of good customer care and its benefits to organisations.

·  Develop IT skills and use them to perform administrative tasks.

·  Acquire good organisational skills in the context of organising and supporting events.

The course contains a large practical component underpinned by related knowledge and understanding. Pupils are given opportunities to select appropriate IT applications to interpret a brief and solve business scenarios.

Levels Offered

The subject will be offered at National 3, National 4 and National 5 levels.

Course Outline

N4 ADMINISTRATION & IT (Pass/Fail) / N5 ADMINISTRATION & IT (Grades A-D)
Administrative Practices
Pupils will be able to provide an account of administration in the workplace, including the key areas of customer care, health & safety and security of people, property & information. / Administrative Practices
Pupils will complete similar tasks as those studying this unit at National 4, but will be expected to produce evidence showing a greater depth of knowledge, understanding and application.
IT Solutions for Administrators
Pupils will learn to use functions of spreadsheets, databases and word processing applications in given tasks. / IT Solutions for Administrators
Pupils will learn to use advanced functions of spreadsheets, databases and word processing applications to interpret a given business brief.
Communication in Administration
Pupils will use technology to gather information in line with a simple brief. They will also prepare & communicate basic information using PowerPoint, DTP, e-mail and electronic diaries. / Communication in Administration
Pupils will be able to use technology to extract information and evaluate sources of information. They will also present & communicate information using PowerPoint, DTP, e-mail, electronic diaries and blogs.
Added Value Unit
Pupils will extend their administration & IT-related knowledge, understanding and skills to plan and prepare documentation in response to a given brief. / Assignment (100 marks)
The course assignment assesses pupils’ abilities to apply their advanced administrative & IT skills acquired in the context of organising and supporting an event.
This will be marked externally to produce the final grade.

The aims of the course are to allow pupils to develop the following skills:

·  IT skills using functions of commonly used applications and emerging technologies

·  Numeracy skills through their ability to understand and interpret financial data

·  Employability, enterprise & citizenship skills as a result of planning, organising and working with others

·  Skills in organising, managing and communicating information in administrative contexts

·  Problem-solving skills as a result of using software to solve advanced business scenarios

Progression

The National 5 course provides progression to Higher Administration & IT. The course may also lead to further study, employment and/or training in various industries. Potential career pathways include: Law, Banking, Management, Engineering, Police, Teaching and many more.

Further information:

More information on Administration and IT is available at the links below:

www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/41292.2511.html / www.educationscotland.org.uk / blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/ea/AABusinessStudies/

HIGHER ADMINISTRATION AND IT

Purpose and aims of course

Administration is a growing sector which cuts across the entire economy and offers wide-ranging employment opportunities. Moreover, administrative and IT skills have extensive application not only in employment but also in other walks of life.

The key purpose of this Course is to develop learners’ advanced administrative and IT skills and, ultimately, to enable them to contribute to the effective functioning of organisations in supervisory administrative positions.

Course Units

Administrative Theory and Practice / IT Solutions for Administrators / Communication in Administration
The purpose of this Unit is to enable learners to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of administration in, and the impact of IT on, the workplace. Learners will acquire an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the factors contributing to the effectiveness of the administrative function, such as the strategies for effective time and task management and for complying with workplace legislation, and of what makes effective teams. The theory in this Unit will also cover customer care.
This Unit assessment is open book. / The purpose of this Unit is to develop learners’ skills in IT, some of them advanced, and in organising and managing information in administration-related contexts. Learners will develop the ability to utilise a range of functions, some of them advanced, of IT applications covering word processing, spreadsheets, databases, or emerging equivalent technologies, and to use them to analyse, process and manage information in order to create and edit relatively complex business documents. This Unit assessment is open book. / The purpose of this Unit is to enable learners to develop a range of IT skills, some of them advanced, for research and communicating complex information to others. Learners will develop an understanding of barriers to communication and ways of overcoming them to ensure communication is understood. The Unit will also develop learners’ knowledge and understanding of how to maintain the security and confidentiality of information. This foundation will enable learners to communicate information in ways taking account of the needs of the audience. This Unit assessment is open book.

Course Assessment