You Want to Return to School

FOREWORD

Those approaching the end of S4 face major challenges and opportunities. They have a variety of options, including leaving for employment or for training; continuing education at Further Education (FE) College; or returning to school to pursue further qualifications. Choosing what is best requires careful thought and accurate information.

This booklet describes these options in turn and contains information which should help you to decide.

WHAT TO DO IF:

•you want to return to school

•you want employment

•you want to go to college

Many of you will already have a pretty clear idea what you want to do at the end of session. Others will be undecided. Do not take anything for granted. Read this booklet carefully, then begin to gather the information you will need to move to the next stage. You will need to speak to subject teachers, Guidance staff, parents and friends, and possibly have an interview with the Careers Adviser.

All the best choices are based on the best information. This booklet can help, but you will need to do most of the work. Doing this successfully now will ensure you are more likely to make the most of your abilities next year and in the years to come.

WHAT CHOICES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE END OF S4 OR S5?

WHEN CAN I LEAVE?

If you are 16 by 30 September 2008you may leave school on 31 May 2008.

If you are 16 between 1 October 2008and 28 February 2009, you may leave on 31 December 2008(but see notes)

WHAT OPTIONS?

These options are explained more fully in this booklet.

- At end of S4- At end of S5

1Stay at school for a full Fifth Year.1Stay at school for Sixth Year

2Further Education College, full-time (1 or 2+ yrs)2Further Education

3Employment/Training3Higher Education

4Employment/Training

WHEN DO I CHOOSE?

For those of you hoping to move on to College, you will already have begun to take action early in Term 2. Those looking to employment or training will be watching local advertisements, speaking with Guidance and Careers staff and trying to arrange applications and interviews. For those returning to S5 or S6, we ask you to make choices of subjects in March, long before you know the outcome of the May Exams. This allows us to try to fit your choices to a workable timetable. You already will have a good idea what your results will be and there will be chances to change course once the results are known.

WHY CHOOSE AT ALL?

Remember, whatever choice you make, it is only one of a series you make. (You already made an important one in S2.) The average person has several different jobs in his/her working life and will probably train a number of times. The time you spend now to choose the best option will pay dividends in the future.

WHAT IS ON OFFER IF I RETURN TO SCHOOL?

The second part of this handbook describes what is available to you if you stay on to S5 or S6. Once you have looked at this, you should collect the information you need to prepare for an interview with a member of Senior Management.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN S5 AND S6 AT SCHOOL?

In S5, students begin to take more responsibility for their own learning and for setting an example in the school. There are also privileges which become available in exchange for this increased responsibility. This process is extended in S6 where students are likely to be following an individual programme of study. For MOST students, S5 and S6 are seen together as a two year course with some qualifications taking one year and others two. For those intending to move to Higher Education after school, S5 should be seen as the time when most entry qualifications are gained with S6 as a year for both specialisation in a chosen area and an opportunity to broaden their educational experience. All students in S5 and S6 are expected to take an active part in helping to make JGS a place where the conditions are right for everyone to strive for the best they can achieve.

FURTHER EDUCATIONCOLLEGE

Up until now, in school, you have been studying ‘subjects’. Although these qualifications are very useful and in great demand by employers etc it may be that more specialised training relating to the work of work/business is needed. This training is often given ‘on the job’ but can also be done through full-time education at a College of Further Education.

There you will study Units which you will link together to form a package to suit your abilities and ambitions. These might be very specific to a particular job, eg hairdressing or motor mechanic, or may be more general giving a number of openings, eg computer data processing or travel and tourism.

There are Units which are available at both school and Further Education College and also some ‘S’, Intermediate and ‘H’ grades to be studied at both. Where you should study will depend on your circumstances and you should seek clear advice before choosing.

Study at college would be in larger blocks (half day usually) compared to school periods, and there is obviously more freedom regarding dress etc. Part of the study might involve placement ‘on the job’ for a time. You will be left to work more on your own. (You must decide whether this will suit you). Whatever these differences, success at college requires hard work and commitment.

The range of Units at college is enormous, from poultry-keeping to facial make-up and from typewriting to plumbing. Again you should seek advice before deciding which best suits you.

There are many Further Education Colleges in Scotland, the local one being Borders College of Further Education with buildings in Hawick, Galashiels, Newtown St Boswells and Duns. Unless you wished to follow a specialised course which is not available in BordersCollege, it is there you will probably go. However, there is no restriction on applying to other Further Education colleges in Scotland if desired.

Further information is available from Guidance Staff, the Careers Adviser, through visits to College at Open Days or discussion with College Staff at Careers Conventions, school visits, etc. All courses available are described in the college prospectus which is available in the School Library or from Guidance staff.

If you think that Further Education is an option for you, collect and complete

'IS FURTHER EDUCATION THE OPTION FOR ME'

and be ready to discuss your choice with Guidance or senior staff.

HIGHER EDUCATIONCOLLEGE / UNIVERSITY

Higher Education is usually defined as any course needing at least 2 Higher grades, though many require 4 or more. Because of this, although entry to Higher Education is possible after Fifth Year, most will take place after Sixth Year.

The range of courses and institutions available is vast and a great deal of research and investigation will be required to find the one which suits. Considerable help will be available from Guidance and Careers Staff and from the Library. There is also a Higher Education Conference and the chance to visit University Open Days.

In general, University life is very different from school with students largely responsible for their own study. This requires considerable organisation and self-motivation.

The subject of Higher Education requires more space than is available here. If you are considering Higher Education, start your research in plenty of time. Your Guidance Teacher, the Careers Adviser or Mr Nisbet is the best place to start.

EMPLOYMENT / ON THE JOB TRAINING

In the past, the vast majority of pupils went straight from school to a full-time job, sometimes through an apprentice scheme. This is no longer the case.

It is not simply that jobs have become more scarce (though this is true in some areas). Many jobs have become more skilled and require more training. Training for qualifications in employment is considered so important that the Government has sunk a great deal of money into training or qualifications programmes such as Skillseekers or Modern Apprenticeships

It will still be possible to find some jobs where no training is offered but is this the best choice for you? You should certainly consider training - so what does Skillseekers have to offer?

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Skillseekers can cover any area of employment. Everyone 16 and 17 years old can be a Skillseeker. Information on employment and Skillseekers is available from Guidance staff and Careers Advisers.

IS EMPLOYMENT/ TRAINING THE OPTION FOR YOU?

There is no doubt that many traditional industries in the Borders have been facing difficulties in the past few years. This gives the impression that there are no jobs available. This is not the case. There are still many excellent jobs with training available.

Remember, an employer would rather begin to train a 16 or 17 year old than someone a year or so older who has done little in the meantime.

If you think that Employment/On the Job Training is an option for you, collect and complete

'IS EMPLOYMENT/modern apprenticeship/SKILLSEEKERS THE OPTION FOR ME?'

and be ready to discuss your choice with Guidance or senior staff.

STAYING AT SCHOOL

Lots of people, from the time they are in First Year, look forward to the time when they are in the senior school. A bit more freedom and responsibility, a Common Room and perhaps some study time. Of course there is also hard work - but there are many other things to consider before deciding whether to return.

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For some of you the decision is made.

If you are not 16 by 30 September 2008you MUST stay in education at least until the beginning of the 2008 Christmas holiday.

What will you do if you have to stay until Christmas?You will notice on the Choice Form a large number of Intermediate courses or Units. Many of these are organised so that they are completed and certificated by Christmas. This means that you could have a very useful timetable until you leave at Christmas.

It could be that your time is spent very differently. You can also start a full-time course at college - even as a ‘Christmas Leaver’ (but remember that college is not an easy option to avoid school).

What about those who are old enough to leave? Should you come back?

If you have plans to take up a job/career or college course which needs Highers as entry, you have little choice - you must come back, though there is also the chance to try new subjects. However, before you do - have you checked with an employer to see what qualifications they want?

What if you have no such plans or are unsure? The best approach is to think ahead. Picture yourself at the end of Fifth or Sixth Year. What are you likely to have done? So long as it is a good bit more than you have at the end of Fourth or Fifth Year your time will not have been wasted. Seek advice from Guidance Staff and Subject Teachers.

We encourage students to look at S5/6 as a two year stage in their career. Students may, of course, leave at the end of S5, but in our experience planning a coherent programme of study over S5 and S6 does pay dividends in terms of future career options and personal development.

Students completing S5 face similar choices to those they had a year ago - with the addition of Higher Education for those qualified (and mature) enough.

Life in S6 offers widening challenges. In addition to continuing academic demands, there is also the increased participation in the wider life of school and community. Increased personal responsibility is a hallmark of S6 and is vital in its own way as continued academic development.

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CAN YOU GIVE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS?

1How hard did I work in S3 and S4 or S5? Can I honestly see myself working much harder in S5 or S6?

(YOU NEED TO).

2What extra do I hope to get from S5 or S6?

3Am I repeating subjects? Is it worthwhile?

4What will I do at the end of S5/6 if all goes well?

5What will I do at the end of S5/6 if things go badly?

To ensure you have thought about staying on you will be asked to complete a Returner's Application Form.

•You will be expected to have a clear PLAN and reasons for wanting to remain at school.

•Your subject teachers will be consulted and asked for their opinion of how hard you have worked.

•You will be interviewed by a member of Senior Management.

If you think that returning to school is an option for you,

read the next two pages then see your Guidance Teacher to collect and complete a

Returner's Application Form

and be ready to discuss it with Senior staff.

WHAT TYPES OF COURSE ARE AVAILABLE AT SCHOOL?

There are 5 main types of courses in the upper school.

Highers-7 periods each week

Intermediate 1 or 2 Courses-7 periods each week

National Units -usually 7 periods each week

Advanced Higher -up to 10 periods each week, 2 or 3 with a teacher

Study periods-5 periods each week

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HIGHER COURSES

The main difference you will notice about Higher Coursesis how much you have to do in a short time. There is an enormous gap between Standard Grades and Highers - a gap in the level of knowledge required but more important, a gap in the amount of detail and information required. The advantage is that the class is often smaller and you have fewer subjects on which to concentrate. You can study from 1 to 5 Highers. Remember most University courses ask for at least 3 or 4.

Intermediate 1 & 2 courses

These are courses which lead on from Standard Grade. They can be a step towards Higher in S6 or a chance to take a subject a little further. They also allow an introduction to new subjects or subjects you left behind at the end of S2.

NATIONAL QUALIFICATION UNITS

The other qualification on offer is based on one or more National Qualification Units. These are short blocks of work - usually lasting approximately 20 or 40 hours (sometimes 80). These vary from introductory and interest courses to others leading to Higher at a later stage. Some groups of units are accepted by colleges and employers as equivalent to Standard grade or Higher. Units are assessed by the school as the course progresses and checked by outside bodies. There is no final exam.

ADVANCED HIGHER

Advanced Higher offers students who are successful at Higher the opportunity to extend their knowledge. At Advanced Higher students are expected to take responsibility for much of their learning, with limited input from teaching staff (usually 4 periods). Most courses include a major element of research or individual work. Advanced Higher is sometimes an entry requirement to university courses. Certainly, any student hoping to follow that subject after school will find Advanced Higher excellent preparation. Because of the very small numbers of students involved, Advanced Higher is offered after negotiation with the department.

TIMETABLES

Students in S5 will follow a full 40 period timetable: - 5 choices of 7 periods, - 5 periods of Study

Students in S6 will negotiate an individual timetable. This should occupy at least 30 periods, though some of these may be extra time in departments, helping in classes etc. Sixth Year will have some time when they are not committed to classes and they may even take this outside the school.

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WHAT CHANGES HAS HIGHER STILL CAUSED?

Until now, the main course in senior school has been the Higher. Highers were originally designed when only a minority of students returned to S5 or S6. In recent years, more and more have returned after S4. To help provide a suitable mix of courses, a wide range of modules has been offered. These have covered a wide variety of subjects and levels. Unfortunately, not all subjects had suitable modules to offer and it was often difficult for employers, parents and colleges to make sense of the huge range available.

Starting in session 1999/2000, a range of Higher Still courses was introduced. The new 'Higher Still' courses are designed to offer a wider choice of courses which lead from Standard Grade through Higher and beyond.