S4 and S5 Course Choice Handbook

Welcome to the Fourth and Fifth Year Information Handbook

Dear S4 and S5 Learner

This handbook is for you and your parents.  It includes a range of topics which will help you in some of the important decisions you will require to make for your future in Peebles High School and beyond.

As we adapt our curriculum to suit the changing needs of learners in front of us, you will notice several new courses on offer in the common session (indicated as “new” below). Please take the time to read the information carefully and discuss with your pastoral teacher as you decide the best course for you.

Your handbook is not just about making subject choices but helping you to consider the consequences of whatever decisions you make.  When you have to make decisions, do not just do what you would like to do, but also consider what is likely to have the best or, at least, good consequences for you and make sure to look at the broad range of courses across the curriculum we have.

You should set yourself challenging targets in the senior school and can only expect to achieve them by working hard.  You are and will be in competition with many talented learners across Scotland.  We believe that you can be up there with the best of them.

I hope you have a successful year.

Yours sincerely

Kevin Ryalls

Headteacher

 

Support Programme

This handbook is full of information to support you and your child make the best choices and contains:

Further support and information:

  • From February, Pastoral teachers will be working with their PSE classes on the S4/5 options process, giving information and advice.
  • If your child is finding it difficult to make their choices they can request an interview with the pastoral team. You will find out more in the presentation mentioned above.
  • 8th February course choice information evening.
  • The S4/5 reports will be issued from Monday 26th February.
  • The S4/5 options completion deadline is the 4th of March. Please note that this is online and should be done with parents at home.
  • It is important that choices are submitted on time as late submission may increase the chance of your reserve choice being used
Using the handbook

The contents have been thought out carefully to support you.
You should refer to the handbook from time to time for advice.
Please consult with your pastoral teacher if you require clarification on any point.

Which courses are for you?

Before selecting a course you must carry out research to ensure that you understand fully what you are going to study, how hard it will be and how you will be assessed.  You also need to know why you are taking the course.  Is it because it is an essential entry requirement for further study or employment, because you enjoy the area of study and/or because you feel you have talents in this field?  It might even be all three!

You will find lots of helpful tools and information to help with subject choices online.  A few recommended and very helpful websites are listed below:

www.myworldofwork.co.uk/subjectchoices

https://www.planitplus.net/

www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

Courses everyone will study (Core)
  • Personal & Social Education – 1 period
  • Physical Education S5 – 1 period
Your Choices (New)

S4s  choose either:

  • A minimum of 6 courses at any level

or

  • 5 Higher courses plus School Study

S5  choose either:

  • A minimum of 5 courses at any level

or

  • 3 AH courses, LRC School study plus one other course at any level

Pupils who wish to participate in school service rather than one of their subjects can make an application to do so. Attendance patterns will be considered before granting such an application.

In addition, all new S6 pupils will complete a Leadership qualification in one column.

You also need to choose a reserve in case one of your choices is unavailable. This step is important and you must be aware this is considered a valid choice.

Course Choice Descriptors

Admin & IT N45

Admin & IT Higher

Applications of Mathematics N4_2023-24

Applications of Mathematics N5_2023-24

Applications of Mathematics Higher_2022_23

Art & Design N345

Art & Design Higher

Art & Design Advanced Higher

Biology National 5

Biology N4

Biology Higher

Biology AH

Borders College

N5-4 Business Management_2023-24

Business Management Higher

Business & ICT N23

Chemistry N5

Chemistry N4

Chemistry Higher

Chemistry AH

Computing Science N45

Computing Science Higher

Creative Industries – Level 5 (New)

Design & Manufacture N45

Design & Manufacture Higher

Drama N45

Drama Higher

Drama AH

NPA Drama: Musical Theatre & Professional Theatre Preparation – Level 6 (New)

Enterprise and Employability NPA Level 4/5

English N45

English Higher

English Advanced Higher

English – Communication & Literature – Level 6 (New)

Fashion N5_Higher_2023-24

Food Health & Wellbeing & PE N23

French N45

French Higher / AH

Furniture Making – Level 5 (New)

Geography Nat 4_5_2023-24

Geography Higher_2023-24

Geography Advanced Higher 2022_23

Graphic Communication N45

Graphic Communication Higher

Graphic Communication Advanced Higher

History Nat 4_5_2023-24

History Higher_2023-24

History Advanced Higher_2023-24

Hospitality: Practical Cookery N5 2023 24

Hospitality: Skills for Work – Level 5 (New)

Human Biology Higher

Italian N45

Italian Higher

Journalism

Laboratory Sciences – N5_2023-24

LEAPS Transitions Course (S6 only – check with your pastoral teaching regarding eligibility)

Legal Studies and Criminology (S6 Only)

Mathematics N34

Mathematics N5_2023-24

Maths – Higher _2023-24

Maths Advanced Higher_2023-24

Modern Languages N23

Modern Studies N45

Modern Studies Higher

Modern Studies Advanced Higher

Music N45

Music Higher

Music Advanced Higher

Philosophy N5

Philosophy Higher

Photography Higher

Physical Education N45

Higher PE_2023-24

Physics N45

Physics Higher

Physics Advanced Higher

Politics Higher

Practical Craft Skills and Design & Technology N3

Practical Electronics – N5_2023-24

Practical Metalworking N45

Practical Woodworking N45

Psychology Higher (S6)

RMPS N3_4 _2023-24

Science N34

Science in the Environment N2

Social Subjects N34

Spanish N45

Spanish H / AH

Sports Leaders SCQF (S6)

Sports Coaching – Level 7 (New)

Travel and Tourism N4 N5

Course Choice Sheet and Link to Online Choice Entry

S4-5 Course Choice Sheet – Feb 24

Please remember to enter your choices online below.  (You will need your unique log in details – these will be distributed on return to school):

https://www.studentoptions.co/PHS-SeniorPhaseOptions

(Please enter your choices above by the 8th March at the latest as a late submission may increase the chance of your reserve being used)

A link to the PowerPoint shared on the 8th February Course Choice Information evening can be found here.

RECOURSING POLICY

Please take the time to read our recoursing policy below:

RECOURSING POLICY updated February 2024. 

Further information

Further information on curriculum developments and the shape of the new National Qualifications that your child will sit in the Senior Phase can be found on the SQA website.  www.sqa.org.uk

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. See the diagram below:

SCQF Diagram

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