Transcript CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

Information for Parents
March 2012
The Four Capacities:
 Successful Learners
 Confident Individuals
 Responsible Citizens
 Effective Contributors
Eight Curriculum Areas:
Expressive Arts
Religious and Moral
Education
Health and Wellbeing
Sciences
Languages and Literacy
Social Studies
Mathematics and
Numeracy
Technologies
Faculties at Knox:
Expressive Arts:
Art, Drama, Music
Health and Wellbeing: PSD, HE, PE
Science:
Biology, Chem. Physics
Communication:
Classics, English, ML
Social Studies:
Bed. Geog. Hist. MSt. RMPS
Numeracy and Technologies: Maths, Comp, Tech
Entitlements:
Coherent curriculum
from 3-18
Broad general education
S1-3
Senior phase
S4-6
Developing skills for
learning, life and work
Achieve to the highest
levels they can
Positive destination
Principles for Curriculum Design:
 Challenge and enjoyment
 Breadth
 Progression
 Depth
 Personalisation and choice
 Coherence
 Relevance
Levels:
Level:
Early
First
Second
Third and Fourth
Senior Phase
Stage:
-Pre-school and P1
-To the end of P4
-To the end of P7
-S1-S3
-S4-S6 and college
Levels and Qualifications:
Standard Grades and Intermediates
will be replaced by new National 4 and 5 from 2014.
Higher and Advanced Highers
remain but will be updated to reflect Curriculum for Excellence.
SCQF Level:
Advanced Higher :
7
Higher
6
National 5
5
National 4
4
Access 1-3
1 -3
Probable year of study:
S6
S5
S4
S3/4
S1-3
The above ‘year of study’ is a guide only, pupils will be able to
progress at their ‘own speed’ and level.
National : 5 = Credit and 4= General Standard Grade
External Examinations will not be undertaken until pupils study
at SCQF level 5.
Progress at Knox Academy:
• 6 Faculties in place
• S1/2 Timetable in place, including blocking
• Faculties auditing and developing courses based
on Experiences and Outcomes
• Numeracy: toolkit
• Literacy: toolkit
• Detailed planning for S3
•Assemblies: the programme provides opportunities
for individuals or groups to deliver a themed
assembly
•Groups: contribution from various groups: School
Council, Eco-Group, S6 Leadership Team, S6
Committees, Amnesty International
•Extra-curricular Activities and June Programme
•Faculties looking at the rationales and summaries
for qualifications
•Central to the School Development Plan
S2: 2011-2012:
What happens at the end of S2 (June 2012)?
Knox Academy plans to maintain the broad
curriculum, pupils will be timetabled into all 6
Faculties to ensure the breadth is maintained.
When and how do pupils choose subjects?
In each Faculty, pupils will be given the opportunity to
specialise in some subjects. For example, in the Expressive
Arts Faculty, all pupils will study Art, Music and Drama,
but some may wish to concentrate on Art and Music only
as the year progresses. During S3 we expect many pupils to
reach Level 4 in all or some of their subjects.
What happens in S4?
At the end of S3, pupils will have the opportunity to
choose the subjects they wish to specialise in and
that they require for their career choice. We envisage
that pupils will be able to take up to 8 subjects at
Level 5, although the arrangements will be tailored
to meet the needs of individual pupils.
Something like this………
Course Choice:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Comp
Comp
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
English
Maths
Science
Soc Sub
Ex Art
Tech
Com/HW Free
B
Choice
9
Elective
Free Choice
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Core
Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional
Notes: pupils take English and Maths and up to 6 electives at level 5 or as appropriate. Pupils could take fewer, opting for optional activities.
All pupils take core in one column.
Examples:
Eng
Maths
Biology
History
Drama
Core
French
PE
Eng
Maths
Biology
Mod St
Art
Comp
Core
Chemistry Physics
Eng
Maths
Core
Mod St
Music
CDT
PE
Optional Optional
Eng
Maths
Biology
Geograph
y
Core
Optional French
PE
Geography
Classics
Timescale for current S2:
June 2012: S2 pupils advised and consider if they wish to
opt to specialise in any subjects in each of the Faculties
August 2012: S2 pupils move into S3. and have time
timetabled in each of the Faculties. All have the
opportunity for a broad curriculum plus some choice
June 2013: All S3 pupils receive a Profile detailing
their attainment and achievements in S1-3. Levels up
to and including Level 4 are assessed internally by the
school.
June 2013: S3 pupils choose their subjects in which to
specialise in S4 (the number will be dependent on the
pupil’s progress, ability and career requirements)
May 2014: S4 pupils sit the SQA diet of examinations
in their chosen subjects
DON’T PANIC
All the plans for Knox Academy are aimed at
improving the educational provision and experience for
pupils.
We will not take risks with your child’s future,
everything will be monitored closely.