Author: Mr Byers

Dear Parent/Carer,

Just a short reminder that parents of S2 pupils who have yet to do so still have time to make appointments for the upcoming Parent/Carer consultation evening. The appointments can be booked online, and are held in-person at the school.

The evening is on Thursday 5th February between 4:00pm and 6:30pm

To make your appointments please login at the parents booking website using the details provided in the SMS/email sent out last Wednesday to S2 parents.  If you have not received or deleted this email please, in the first instance phone the school office for advice on how to progress with your booking.

As pupils progress through S3, they take part in our S3 into S4 subject options process. This is an important step in preparing all pupils for S4 and the next stage of learning at Cumbernauld Academy.

The information below explains:

• What the S3 into S4 options process involves
• What it means for your child
• How parents and carers can support decision-making at home

What Is the S3 into S4 Options Process?

During S3, pupils begin to make choices about the subjects they will study in S4. This is the first year of the Senior Phase where our young people embark upon their National Qualifications which hopefully lead on to gaining awards across subject areas from August 2027.

During S3 young people studied 9 Subjects this will reduce to 7 subjects for S4, in turn freeing up more time for most of the remaining subject areas.

How the Process Works

The process is already underway with pupils supported through the options process in several ways. This includes:

• participating in assemblies and class-based discussions
• having opportunities to speak with subject teachers and Pupil Support staff
• being given access to information about S4 subjects and pathways.

Supporting Your Child at Home

Parents and carers play an important role in supporting pupils during this process. You can help by:

• encouraging your child to choose subjects they enjoy and feel engaged in
• using their most recent “Progress” Report to help guide and inform discussions (please check your email for accessing the most recent report)
• Helping them plan for future careers. These choices will be further narrowed in S5.
• reassuring them that feeling unsure is normal
• encouraging your child to speak to their Pupil Support Teacher if they have questions or concerns.

Starting the process

Parents/pupils can now access the S3 into S4 subject information booklet, the S3 into S4 preliminary subject availability form and the formal S3 Options Process letter using the links below:

• S3 into S4-Option Booklet  2026-27
• S3 into S4 Preliminary Subject Availability form
• S3 into S4 Options Letter 26-27

As of this session we are introducing a new tracking and reporting procedure for all year groups . Please click on the link below to access the parental letter detailing all of the new measures.

Reporting letter to parents Progress

 

S3 EXAMS 2024

SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 29TH APRIL – 16TH MAY 2024

Dear Parent/Guardian.

The timetable for S3 examinations is now available.  (please click on the link below to access this timetable).

S3 Exams Summary May 2024

Pupils will follow their normal timetable during the exam period, and examinations will take place in classrooms during the time your child attends that subject. The examinations are timetabled mainly across three weeks to allow reasonable time for both revision at home and assessments in school.

The purpose of the examination diet is to give pupils and staff an indication of the progress pupils are making on courses and also to help pupils prepare for the experience of sitting National Qualification examinations in S4. Our new timetable for next year will start on Monday 3rd June, and all pupils will be issued their new timetable for S4 on that day. Pupils opting to study Modern Languages, Business and Administration in senior phase will complete assessments in the week beginning the 10th June.

 SNSA ASSESSMENTS

The Scottish National Standardised Assessments for Scotland (SNSA) cover aspects of reading, writing and numeracy, providing teachers with indicative, diagnostic information on learners’ progress in these curricular areas. These assessments are completed nationally for all children and young people in P1, P4, P7 and S3. All S3 pupils will complete these online assessments within Maths and English classes prior to the end of May. The assessments are marked automatically allowing teachers immediate diagnostic feedback to help young people progress in literacy and numeracy.

I would like to inform you of healthy dialogue taking place about the format and timing of these S3 exams in the future. We have consulted staff recently and will be consulting all S3 pupils and their parents about their views on the matter next term.

I welcome your support in helping your child to prepare for these examinations.

Yours faithfully

Mrs L McGuigan

DHT

Cumbernauld Academy will be holding an Easter revision school from Tuesday 2nd through to Friday 5th April (1st week of the Easter holidays)

Senior Phase pupils who will be undertaking N5, Higher or Advanced Higher Exams in the forthcoming exam diet will be invited to choose subjects from the Easter school revision timetable, the times of each session are given on this document. Please click on the link below to access this timetable.

 Easter School Timetable 2nd – 5th April

Pupils will be asked to sign up for revision classes from Thursday 21st March.  Unfortunately pupils will require to organise their own transport to and from school as there will be no school transport available during this time.