Curriculum for Excellence
The school has developed its curriculum in line with the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence initiative.
The aims of Curriculum for Excellence are that every child and young person should –
- know they are valued and will be supported to become a successful learner, an effective contributor, a confident individual and a responsible citizen.
- experience a traditionally broad Scottish curriculum that develops skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work, with a sustained focus on literacy and numeracy, that encourages an active, healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyle and builds an appreciation of Scotland and its place in the world.
The Experience and Outcomes under Curriculum for Excellence and the significant Aspects of Learning are written and take account of progression to qualifications described under the Senior Phase.
Our aim is to ensure that the courses we offer pupils coming to us from P7 integrate with, and progress from, the courses that they have been following in primary school. The section under Primary / Secondary Liaison describes in more detail how this is done.
S1 – S3 (The Broad General Education)
Pupils in S1, S2 and S3 follow a broad, general education which provides the opportunity for all learners to overtake the experiences and outcome up to Fourth Level. Although subject choices are not made during the first three years of secondary school, pupils are given the opportunity to specialise within curricular areas.
Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Social Subjects, Science, Modern Languages, ICT, Technology, Creative Arts, Home Economics, Physical Education and Personal and Social Education.
Transition from the Broad General Education to the Senior Phase
At the beginning of S4 pupils enter their Senior Phase of secondary education. The Senior Phase is the period when most young people engage with the national qualifications framework. During the Senior Phase, they are supported to extend and deepen their education as they build their portfolio of qualifications which recognises their learning, enabling them to continue to develop skills and offering pathways to the next stage – whether that is further or higher education, training or employment. During the Senior Phase young people are supported to choose courses and levels most appropriate to their prior attainment and career aspirations.
A common upper school schematic timetable operates across Inverclyde secondary schools. As a result, young people will continue to have a choice of up to five subjects for accreditation at SCQF Levels 3 to 7, (National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher) (Higher Grade).
No single school can normally offer its pupils the full range of different subjects and levels of courses that it would like. Schools therefore group themselves together, so that each pupil can take courses offered by other schools in the group. A group of schools operating in this way is called a consortium. Pupils taking courses in other schools are provided with free travel to and from the base school. St Stephen’s is closely linked with all other Inverclyde secondary schools. Additionally, students are able to follow some courses in West College Scotland.
What is the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework?
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework is the qualifications framework for Scotland. It features qualifications offered by schools, colleges, universities, workplaces, training organisations and in the community.
The SCQF is a way of comparing Scottish qualifications to other qualification frameworks. It does this by giving each qualification a level and a number of credit points. The level of qualification shows how difficult the learning is. The credit points show how much time it takes to achieve the qualification.
Below are a number of resources to help increase your knowledge of the SCQF framework, to help you help your child/young person plan the next stage(s) of their learning journey
At St Stephen’s High School we offer a wide range of courses that differ from the traditional National Qualification courses.
For more information, please visit the SCQF website on the link below
Home – Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
Please find addition information booklets below on pathways and options at St Stephen’s High School
