The senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence lasts from S4 to S6 (from around ages 15 to 18). It follows a young person's broad general education, building firmly on the Experiences and Outcomes they will have experienced and achieved to end of S3.
Our Senior Phase is the phase when a young person will build up a portfolio of qualifications and continue to develop the knowledge, skills, attributes and capabilities of the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence.
Our curriculum framework and the national qualifications system provides a range of opportunities to meet the needs of all learners, whether aspiring to achievements at SCQF Level 1 or at SCQF Level 7 (opens new window) The curriculum in the Senior Phase comprises more than just programmes of study which lead to qualifications. There is a continuing emphasis, for example, on health and wellbeing, including physical activity and opportunities for personal achievement, service to others and practical experience of the world of work.
Scottish Secondary schools can determine their own Senior Phase Curriculum structure (within national guidance) that best suits the needs and context of their own community. This means that Scottish secondary schools may offer a varying amount of national qualifications in S4 with most offering either 6, 7 or 8 qualifications in S4.
Our Senior Phase Model
Our local context is extremely important in determining our curricular model. This includes an analysis of our leavers destinations data.
This table above shows the aggregate destinations of particular year groups as a percentage of the S4 base cohort by by exit following S6. In the table above the following definitions are used:
HE includes degree courses, HNDs, HNCs etc
FE is any full-time education that is not HE (eg National Certificates or National Qualifications)
72% of our leavers move in to Higher Education and Further Education with 21% going direct into employment. Nearly all pupils remain in school for S5 and a significant majority remain in school until end of S6.
Our S4 Curriculum structure has been discussed and consulted on over a number of years and it continues to be a discussion topic at Parent Council meetings.
Our Senior Phase curriculum is designed to support young people in building a portfolio of qualifications while continuing to develop essential knowledge, skills, attributes, and capabilities as outlined by the four capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence. Below are the summarised key reasons why we offer 6 National Qualifications (N5) in S4, rather than 7 or 8:
1. Local Context and Destination Data
Analysis of Leaver Destinations: Our local data shows that 72% of leavers pursue Higher Education (HE) or Further Education (FE), and 21% enter employment directly. This suggests that academic qualifications at Higher level are critical for most pupils' future success.
Importance of High-Quality Qualifications: With most students remaining in school until the end of S6, a strong foundation in N5 subjects in S4 is essential for later success in Higher qualifications, which are key to university admission.
2. Balanced Curriculum Structure
Consistency Across Year Groups: Our curriculum offers a combined S4-S6 course choice sheet. This allows students in all senior years to choose courses across various levels (N5, Higher). A common time allocation of 5 periods per subject is necessary to support this structure.
Impact of Increasing Subject Numbers: Offering more than 6 subjects would reduce the period allocation to 4 periods per week, which would require separate timetabling for each year group. This would reduce overall course choices and limit flexibility, especially for students wishing to mix qualifications across different levels (e.g., N5 in S5 or Higher in S6).
A key strength of our curriculum model is the ability to offer a 'free choice' due to the flexibility combined timetabling offers. Any change to this flexibility will likely result in return to 'column' choices reducing the choice of subjects available.
3. Depth Over Quantity
Greater Focus on Subject Mastery: By allocating 5 periods per week, students have more time to deepen their understanding in each subject. This focus on quality rather than quantity increases the chances of achieving better grades, particularly A or B passes at N5, which are strong predictors of success at Higher level.
University Aspirations: For many pupils aspiring to university, achieving a set of strong Higher qualifications is the key entry point. Ensuring students have a solid foundation at N5 increases the likelihood of securing higher grades at Higher level, which are crucial for university admission.
4. Pressure and Workload Management
Internal Assessments and Assignments: N5 courses typically include internal assessments and assignments that contribute to final grades. Since many subjects follow a linear model, assessments are often scheduled around the same time, leading to a significant workload.
Impact of Adding More Subjects: Introducing an additional N5 subject (7 or 8) would increase this workload further, potentially overwhelming students with deadlines and assessments. This could negatively affect performance across all subjects.
5. Curriculum for Excellence Entitlement
Broad General Education (BGE) from S1-S3: Students receive a Broad General Education (BGE) in S1-S3, covering all 8 curriculum areas. In S3, they begin to specialise and personalise their learning by choosing subjects within these areas, preparing them for deeper study in S4. To offer 7 or 8 N5 courses will result in needing to commence these courses in S3, impacting on this BGE entitlement.
Key Focus in S4: With the majority of pupils staying on for S5 and S6, S4 serves as the foundational year for success in senior qualifications. Offering 6 subjects allows for sufficient depth in each, helping students build a solid base for higher-level learning.
6. Progression Across Senior Phase
Long-Term Success Focus: Our curriculum is designed to support students across three years (S4-S6). While some may leave school after S4, the majority stay through to S6, accumulating anywhere between 6-15 qualifications at various levels.
Progression and Quality Over Quantity: The focus is on ensuring that students progress effectively, gaining higher-quality qualifications (e.g., Higher passes) rather than simply accumulating a large number of N5s. This approach better aligns with university and college entry requirements, where quality Higher qualifications often hold more weight than the quantity of N5s.
In summary, our decision to offer 6 subjects in S4 is based on a balance between maintaining academic depth, ensuring manageable workloads, and supporting long-term progression and success for all students.
