Bellshill Academy

Broad General Education

Customising my Curriculum

Curriculum for Excellence

Contents

Introduction2

The Junior Phase: a broad & general education

Assessment in the BGE (S1 – S3)3

Assessment in the Senior Phase (S4 –S6)

Customising your Curriculum4

Help Choosing your Subjects5

Important Meeting

The Final Form

Equal Opportunities7

Customisation Grid8

Courses & Subjects Information8

English

Maths9

Modern Languages10

Social & Environmental Studies12

Scientific Studies & Applications16

Physical Education Studies19

Dance21

Expressive Arts22

Art

Music23

Business, Admin & ICT24

Home Economics28

Technical30

Skills for Work Courses32

Customisation Card33

Introduction

This booklet has been designed to offer advice to pupils and parents who are faced with the important decision of customising learning in Third Year at Bellshill Academy.

In the Junior Phase, pupils are entitled to a broad and general education so they are given the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects. From P1 to S2 pupils had the occasion to explore a variety of subjects and engage in a number of wider achievement activities. As they move to S3 pupils continue to study a broad and general education but are now offered the chance to customise their learning further in readiness for the Senior Phase. In the Senior Phase they specialise in their chosen subject areas so that they may be presented for qualifications within the National Courses

This booklet contains information about the subjects your child may take in Third Year; the S3 parent / teacher consultation meeting and details of the forms which have to be completed.

JP

Junior Phase: a broad & general education

S1: Broad and General Education ‘Transition Phase’

Pupils are supported through their transition from P7 to S1. Pupils experience a broad and general education.

S2: Broad and General Education ‘Refining Skills’

Pupils continue to experience a broad and general education.

S3: Broad and General Education ‘Customisation’

Pupils customise their curriculum in preparation for increasing specialisation in the Senior Phase. Pupils complete a transition programme to support their move to the Senior Phase.

AJS

Assessment in the Junior Phase (S1 – S3)

Throughout the S1-S3 Junior Phase, pupils study Level 3 and Level 4 of a Curriculum for Excellence and are continually assessed by their teachers and by themselves through a range of internal, departmental assessment procedures. Pupil progress is reported to parents through Parental Tracking Reports and Parents’ Meetings.

Throughout their learning, pupils complete an E-portfolio which is a written and visual record of their attainment and achievements. By the end of S3 every pupil will have completed their own S3 Profile and staff will have gathered a record of their progress.

Pupils begin to prepare for National 3, National 4 or National 5 qualifications at the point when teachers feel it is appropriate; however, no pupil is presented for these qualifications until the Senior Phase in S4.

As they move towards the Senior Phase, all S3 pupils complete a transition programme, during which time, they receive support needed to complete the S3 Profile and specialise in their chosen curricular areas.

ASP

Assessment in the Senior Phase (S4 –S6)

Based on progress in S3, pupils are presented for Qualifications at the appropriate level.

Qualifications:

  • National 3: Internally Assessed
  • National 4: Internally Assessed
  • National 5: Externally Assessed

Added Value: Each subject at National 4 has an Added Value unit which is assessed internally Each National 5 has an Assignment which is externally assessed.

  • Revised Higher
  • Revised Advanced Higher

Curriculum for Excellence allows scope for teachers to match the pupils’ progress to the qualification which suits them best. There is the flexibility within the curriculum to allow pupils to ‘fall back’ or ‘step up’ to another level should they need to and there will be opportunity for some pupils to experience awards for ‘Wider Achievement’. This will help pupils to get the most out of their education and achieve their true potential.

*More information about assessment in the Senior Phase will be provided before your child moves to S4.

Customising your Curriculum

The subjects are listed on the Customisation Grid (page 8). The choice, however, is not entirely a free one – there are certain guidelines which must be followed in line with the aims of Curriculum for Excellence.

It is important that pupils choose a diversity of subjects to ensure that any future career choice is not restricted. The subject areas we offer in Bellshill Academy are:

  • English
  • Mathematical Studies
  • Modern Languages: French and modern languages for life and work
  • Social and Environmental Studies: History, Modern Studies, Geography, RE, Connect Social Subjects
  • Scientific Studies and Applications: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Connect Science
  • Physical Education
  • Expressive Arts: Art, Music
  • Business, Administration & ICT
  • Technical, Graphic Communication & Design & Manufacture
  • Home Economics

SKILLS FOR WORK COURSES

  • Enterprise & Employability

In December, pupils can specialise in some of their practical subject areas. For example:

A pupil chooses Business, Admin and ICT / A pupil chooses Technology / A pupil choose Home Economics
/ /
They specialise in: Business Management or Administration and IT or Computing Science / They specialise in: Design and Manufacture and/or Graphics / They specialise in Hospitality or Fashion and Textile Technology

*In the Senior Phase, pupils will have the option to study Vocational Subjects and will undertake Work Experience.

Help Choosing your Subjects

  1. The subject teachers who have been teaching your child over the past year know your child’s abilities. You will have the opportunity to consult them at the Parents’ Evening.
  2. Pupil Support teachers can give an overall picture of your child’s progress. You may consult them at the Parents’ Evening and also obtain specialist advice from them.
  3. Senior staff in the school – the Head Teacher, and the three Depute Heads – can also offer advice and help. Consult them too.

The final decision, however, rests with parents and pupils.

Various factors must be considered in choosing the right subject e.g. future employment or further education; present performance in the subject; likes and dislikes of certain subjects.

Sometimes, however, a child must choose a certain subject, even although he or she may not particularly like it, since the subject may have important career implications.

IM

Parental Consultation Evening Tuesday 8th March 2016

This meeting has been arranged at Bellshill Academy for all parents of Second Year pupils. Its purpose is to provide you with as much information as possible about Third Year courses and also give you the opportunity to discuss with individual teachers any matters about courses or about your child’s particular needs.

It takes the form of a consultation evening when you will have the opportunity of meeting your child’s teachers individually to discuss with them your child’s progress and prospects. Your child will be issued with an appointment sheet in advance of this meeting on which you can arrange appointments with named teachers.

There will be a short presentation at the start of the evening to give all parents an overview of the S2 options and customisation process.

FF

The Final Form: Customisation Card

This form is most important. It is the last page of the booklet. It must be completed and returned to your child’s Pupil Support teacher by FRIDAY 11TH MARCH 2016 at the very latest with your final choice of subjects entered. Your child has been given advice on this beforehand and practiced filling out the form.

Every effort will be made to give pupils their first choice of subject; however, some pupils may have to be offered an alternative subject if numbers in a particular group exceed the availability of staff and / or accommodation, or if numbers in any group are very small.

EO

Equal Opportunities

Bellshill Academy is committed to offering equality of opportunity to all pupils irrespective of sex, race or creed. There is no restriction on choice of courses, other than the pupil’s ability to cope with the subject / course or availability of staff or accommodation.

We hope that our pupils make an absolutely free choice. What we all want – pupils, parents and teachers – is for each child to have an interesting and rewarding career in which he or she is valued as an individual.

CG

1

Customisation Grid: S2 – S3

Pupils MUST NOT choose the same subject twice

Column A / Column B / Column C / Column D / Column E / Column F / Column G / Column H
MUST DO / MUST DO / CHOOSE 1 / CHOOSE 1 / MUST DO / CHOOSE 1 / CHOOSE 1 / CHOOSE 1
English / Maths / Geography
History
Modern Studies
Religious Education
Connect Social Subjects / Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Connect Science / French
Or
Modern Languages for Life and Work / Art
Music
PE
Dance
Technical, Design & Manufacture Graphic Communication / Art
Technical, Design & Manufacture Graphic Communication
Business, Admin and ICT
HE / Chemistry
Physics
Religious Education
HE
Business, Admin and ICT
PE
Enterprise and Employability

The school reserves the right not to run any course which fails to attract sufficient pupils or for any other reason to make a viable section.

1

Courses and Subject Information

ENGLISH

Introduction

The Literacy and English framework promotes the development of critical and creative thinking as well as competence in listening and talking, reading, writing and the personal, interpersonal and team-working skills which are so important in life and in the world of work. The course aims to develop literacy, including critical literacy, creativity, and knowledge and appreciation of literature and culture.

The Course

Students will study a breadth of literature, including poetry, drama, prose and possibly media, and are required to write in a variety of forms. This will give them the opportunity to produce pieces of creative, personal and discursive writing as well as learning how to write critically about texts. Talk also forms an important part of the course and students will develop discussion skills by working in groups as well as preparing for and delivering a solo talk to an audience.

Assessment

At the end of S4, pupils will be presented for the New National Qualifications

MATHEMATICS

Introduction

This subject aims to teach pupils to learn how to describe, tackle and solve problems which require the use of mathematical knowledge and techniques.

The Course

Students are encouraged to see mathematics as arising out of problem solving, often in the real world. Emphasis is placed on the skills of checking and estimating and on the importance of appreciating the accuracy of a measurement or calculation. A practical and investigative approach is promoted wherever appropriate. Both calculator and mental calculation skills are essential components of this subject. Mathematics courses are designed to ensure all pupils progress no matter their level of ability. Pupils are allocated a specific course based entirely on their level of ability demonstrated throughout first and second year.

Assessment

The courses the mathematics department offer in third year are designed to best prepare our pupils for the levels they will be presented in fourth year:

  • National 5 NQ Award
  • National 4 NQ Award
  • Lifeskills National 3 NQ Award
  • National 5 is assessed both internally and externally in fourth year.
  • National 4 is assessed internally and has an optional final internal assessment at the end of fourth year.
  • Lifeskills National 3 is assessed internally and does not have a final exam in fourth year.

The broad skills which are developed in these courses include:

  • Mathematical Expressions and Formulae
  • Mathematical Relationships
  • Mathematical Applications
  • Numeracy

MODERN LANGUAGES

FRENCH

The Course

The course aims to develop language skills which will enable pupils to cope confidently with the language in real-life situations. Emphasis is placed on those language skills most likely to be useful to pupils in two main areas: understanding language and expressing language. The four elements of the courses are therefore the practical skills of listening, reading, writing and talking. The foreign language is used as much as possible as the language of communication in the classroom.

Activities designed to develop the skill of speaking include face-to-face conversation, group discussions and role playing. Whenever possible, the language items used to develop the skills of listening and reading are taken from authentic sources (e.g. books, magazines, newspapers and radio or television programmes) and selected to stimulate the pupils’ interest. As an integral part of the course pupils will study a film in French.

Assessment and Certification

Pupils will be presented for the new National Qualifications at the end of S4. The assessment arrangements give pupils the opportunity to show what they can do, whatever their level of ability. All pupils are assessed on their performance in the four main elements. There will be a mixture of internal and external assessment dependent on the award pupils are aiming for.

MODERN LANGAUGES FOR LIFE AND WORK

The Modern Languages Department will offer Modern Languages for Life and Work this year. This will be aimed at supporting pupils who have found French more challenging in S1 and S2. We will aim to cover two modern languages through this course but will focus on language specific to real life situations. Pupils who study this subject will be supported to:

  • develop listening and talking skills in one or two modern languages in the contexts of life and work,
  • develop basic knowledge of one or two modern languages in the contexts of life and work,
  • develop employability skills.

Pupils will work through 3 Units:

1) Modern Languages for Work Purposes Unit

Pupils will develop basic skills in talking and listening so that they can communicate in any vocational context. They will be able to reflect on what skills are required to help them become employed. All language used will be based around real situations.

2) Building Own Employability Skills Unit

Pupils will be provided with the opportunity to acquire the skills needed in order to gain employment. These skills include finding out about job opportunities and employers, and the skills needed to apply for a job.

3) Modern Languages for Life Unit

Pupils will learn basic skills in listening and talking in practical and relevant contexts using the language studied. They will explore the culture and everyday life in countries where the modern language is used.

Pupils will be able to progress in this subject, with also the ability to go from this award to studying a foreign language later on in the school career.

*Please note the Pupil Support Department will advise you if this course is suitable for your child.

SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

*All pupils must choose one Social Subject. However, some pupils may want to choose two. Please note, the Pupil Support Department will advise you if this option is suitable for your child.

HISTORY

The Humanities Faculty will offer History which uses a variety of teaching methodologies including individual work; group work and co-operative learning activities. Learners will enjoy writing; making; saying and doing a variety of historical tasks using primary and secondary sources. A variety of visual resources are also used including DVDs, Computers and the interactive Smart Board.

The course consists of:

  • Scottish History. The Era of the Great War 1910 - 1928
  • British History. Changing Britain 1760 - 1900
  • European & World History. Hitler & Nazi Germany 1919 -1939

Assessment

At the end of S4, pupils will be presented for the New National Qualifications

National 4

  • An internal assessment for each unit.
  • Learners will also complete an Assignment which will be chosen from one of the units of work
  • There is no external examination at this level
  • On completion of History at National 4, learners may progress to National 5.

National 5

  • Assessment at National 5 History will be a combination of both internal and external procedures. To gain the course award, learners must pass all unit assessments as well as the course assessment.
  • Learners will complete an internal assessment for each unit
  • Learners will also complete an Assignment which is worth 25% of the final grade. This will be a research topic chosen by the learner from one of the three units
  • Learners will also sit a question paper in a final examination. This will be worth 75% of the final grade.
  • A grade of A-D will be allocated on the basis of the Assignment and final Examination.
  • On completion of National 5, learners may progress on to Higher History.
  • At the end of S4, pupils will be presented for the New National Qualifications.

Pupils may choose History and Geography, RMPS or Modern Studies.

MODERN STUDIES

Modern Studies is the social, political and economic study of local, national and international issues. Modern Studies aims to develop skills and understanding in pupils to help them to interpret and participate in the social and political issues they will meet in their adult lives. The Humanities Faculty will offer Modern Studies which uses a variety of teaching methodologies such as individual work, group work and cooperative learning activities. Learners use a range of sources to study various aspects of Modern Studies. Learners will use a range of sources to study various aspects of contemporary society. A variety of visual resources are also used including DVDs computes and the interactive Smart Board.

The course consists of:

  • Democracy in Scotland and the United Kingdom. Learners will investigate the main features of the United Kingdom’s political systems and institutions and Scotland’s place within them. They will examine the role of UK citizens in the political systems
  • Social Issues: Learners will investigate an aspect of social inequality or crime and the law. They will identify the consequences of social inequality for society or the impact of crime on society.
  • International Issues: Learners will use a range of sources to investigate a major world power or a significant international issue

Assessment