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:
- An overview of the curriculum on offer
- An S4/5 course choice presentation
- An overview of the support programme
- A course choice preparation form to support conversation at home (from the pastoral team)
- The course choice sheet
- The course choice descriptors
- The link to enter choices online at home
- Links to various support websites e.g. PlanIt Plus and My World of Work.
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
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
Applications of Mathematics N4_2023-24
Applications of Mathematics N5_2023-24
Applications of Mathematics Higher_2022_23
N5-4 Business Management_2023-24
Creative Industries – Level 5 (New)
NPA Drama: Musical Theatre & Professional Theatre Preparation – Level 6 (New)
Enterprise and Employability NPA Level 4/5
English – Communication & Literature – Level 6 (New)
Food Health & Wellbeing & PE N23
Furniture Making – Level 5 (New)
Geography Advanced Higher 2022_23
Graphic Communication Advanced Higher
History Advanced Higher_2023-24
Hospitality: Practical Cookery N5 2023 24
Hospitality: Skills for Work – Level 5 (New)
Laboratory Sciences – N5_2023-24
LEAPS Transitions Course (S6 only – check with your pastoral teaching regarding eligibility)
Legal Studies and Criminology (S6 Only)
Modern Studies Advanced Higher
Practical Craft Skills and Design & Technology N3
Practical Electronics – N5_2023-24
Sports Coaching – Level 7 (New)
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:
