Welcome to the Third Year Information Handbook
The presentation from our Course Choice evening on January 15th can be reviewed here, but all of this information is also contained on the page below.
Jan 2024-Course-choice–evening S3
Dear S3 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.
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.
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
Campbell Wilson
Rector
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 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 January Pastoral teachers will be working with their PSE classes on the S3 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
- The S3 reports issued on the 20th December
- From December: all young people in S3 are offered a 1:1 interview with Skills Development Scotland which will continue until deadline
- The S3 options completion deadline is the 2nd February. Please note that this is online and should be done with parents at home. The S3 course choice presentation will walk you through the process.
- 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 this 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:
https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-career-options/how-make-school-option-choices
https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/my-career-options/where-can-option-choices-take-you
www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
Courses everyone will study (Core)
Mathematics – 4 1/2 periods
- S3 National 3 Applications of Mathematics 2024 Choices
- S3 N5 Applications of Mathematics 2024 Choices
- S3 Mathematics N4 2024 Choices
- S3 Mathematics N5 2024 Choices
English N345 – 4 1/2 periods
Physical Education – 2 periods
Religious & Moral Education – 1 period
Personal & Social Education – 1 period
Your Choices
You also have the opportunity to choose four additional subjects.
You will be timetabled to 5 periods for each of these.
You need to cho0se a reserve in case one of your choice is unavailable.
Course Choices Descriptors
Admin & IT N5-4 S3 2024 Choices
Biology National 4 2024 Choices
Biology National 5 2024 Choices
Borders College (This link takes you to the Schools Academy Site)
Business Management N5-4 S3 2024 Choices
Business & ICT N3-2 S3 2024 Choices
Chemistry National 4 2024 Choices
Chemistry National 5 2024 Choices
Computing Science N5-4 S3 2024 Choices
Enterprise and Employability NPA Level 4/5
Fashion & Textile Technology N4
Fashion & Textile Technology N5
Food Health & Wellbeing & PE N23
Hospitality: Practical Cookery N4
Hospitality: Practical Cookery N5
Practical Craft Skills and Design & Technology N3
Course Choice Sheet and Link to Online Choice Entry
S3 Course Choice Sheet – Jan 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-S3Options
(Please enter your choices above by the 2nd February at the latest as a late submission may increase the chance of your reserve being used)
RECOURSING POLICY
Please take the time to read our recoursing policy below:
RECOURSING POLICY – Updated Jan 24
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:
