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 

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Our local context is extremely important in determining our curricular model. This includes an analysis of our leavers destinations data. 

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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:

 

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.