MeldrumAcademy

S3/4 Course

Information and Advice Booklet 2009

Pupil Name:______

Class:______

CONTENTS

Page

4Introduction

5Making your selections

7Beyond S4

8Careers Advice

PART 1:COMMON CORE COURSES

BEIT Faculty

9Core business and ICT

English Faculty

10English: Standard Grade

11English:Access

Health Faculty

12Physical Education:Core

Maths Faculty

13Maths:Standard Grade

15Maths:Access 3

Modern Languages Faculty

16French:Standard Grade

17French:Intermediate 1

19French:Access 3

Social Subjects Faculty

20Religious Moral &

Philosophical Studies:Intermediate 1/2 Units

Pastoral Care

21Personal & Social Education

PART 2:OPTIONS COURSES

Art & Design Department

23Art & Design:Standard Grade

BEIT Faculty

25Accounting & Finance:Standard Grade

27Administration:Intermediate 1/2

29Business Management:Intermediate 1/Intermediate 2

32Computing Studies:Standard Grade

Design & Technology Department

34Craft & Design:Standard Grade

35Graphic Communication:Standard Grade

36Enterprise Through Craft:Access 3

Health Faculty

37Home Economics:Standard Grade

39Hospitality:Intermediate 1

40Physical Education:Intermediate 1\2

Modern Languages Faculty

42Spanish: Intermediate 1\2

Performing Arts Faculty

46Drama:Standard Grade

47Music:Standard Grade

Science Faculty

49Biology:Intermediate 2

50Biology:Intermediate 1*/Access3

52Chemistry:Standard Grade

54Chemistry:Intermediate 1*/Access 3

56Physics:Standard Grade

57Physics:Intermediate 1*/Access 3

Social Subjects Faculty

59Geography:Standard Grade

60History:Standard Grade

61Modern Studies:Standard Grade

SFL Faculty

62Supported Studies

PART 3: ELECTIVES & COLLEGE COURSES

63Computers and the Internet

64Creative Design

65Digital Imagery

66Engineering Craft Skills

67Travel and Tourism

68Languages Plus: German

69Music Performance

70Int 2 Biology/Int 2 Chemistry(choose one)

72Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies

73Sci-Phi- Philosophy in Film

74Performance UnitPE: Creative Physical Activities:

Intermediate 1

75Performance UnitPE: Team Physical Activities:

Intermediate 1

76DECIDING ON YOUR OPTIONS

College Courses (AberdeenCollege) information available separately

Introduction

As you will know from the work you have been doing in your PSE class, you are soon to be asked to make important decisions about which subjects you would like to do in S3 and S4. These decisions are very important. They are your first step to working towards a particular set of experiences and qualifications that will be useful to you when you decide to leave school. You will study the subjects you select now for the whole of S3 and S4. Whilst we want you to gain all you can from the learning opportunities in front of you, we also want you to enjoy your time at MeldrumAcademy, so it is important for YOU to spend some time thinking about what is the best combination of subjects for you.

MeldrumAcademy aims to offer you a set of courses that will meet your needs and talents and that you will find interesting and enjoyable. This booklet is designed to help you decide which courses to do. It is designed to support the work you have done and are doing in PSE. You will also find the booklet given to you in PSE called “Which Way Now?” from Careers Scotland helps you think about your options.

This booklet contains information about all the courses that will be on offer here in MeldrumAcademy for you in S3/4. Take the time to read through the information contained in it to find out what you will be doing in each subject and how you will be assessed in order to gain qualifications.

Once you have read the course details use the yellow section ‘Deciding on your Options’ at the back of the booklet to make notes that will help you begin to make your decisions.

Making your selections

It is recommended that all pupils in Scotland have a balanced educational experience in S3/4. This can be done by selecting subjects in a structured way from groups of subjects. The subjects, both core and choice, are grouped below. To ensure a balanced curriculum some subjects are compulsory while others are optional.

Most pupils will study 8 courses of which one will be an elective for S3, followed by a second elective chosen prior to entry to S4.

/ Subjects / Compulsory / Select one of
Communication and Language / English
French (You may also choose to study Spanish as an option) / 

Mathematical Studies and Applications / Maths / 
Physical Education / Physical Education
( You may also choose to study Standard Grade P.E. in addition to this compulsory course) / 
Religious & Moral Education / RMPS / 
ICT / Core Business and ICT / 
PSE / Personal & Social Education / 
Communication and Language / Spanish
Scientific Studies and Applications / Biology
Chemistry
Physics / 
Social and Environmental Studies / Business Management
Geography
History
Modern Studies / 
Technological Activities and Applications / Accounting and Finance
Administration
Art and Design
Business Management
Computing Studies
Craft and Design
Enterprise Through Craft
Graphic Communication
Home Economics
Hospitality
Music
Physics / 
Creative and Aesthetic Activities / Art and Design
Craft and Design
Drama
Enterprise Through Craft
Graphic Communication
Home Economics
Hospitality
Music
Physical Education / 

In addition to seven full courses you will also follow 2 electives during the S3/4 experience. Electives offer you the opportunity to broaden your educational experience by choosing from a variety of courses offered by a range of departments/faculties. Most of these courses last for one year and are based on the themes of citizenship, creativity, enterprise, literacy, numeracy, ICT and vocational experience. In addition there is an opportunity to choose, from this list, one full National Qualification course. This is a challenge not to be undertaken lightly as only 2 periods per week are allocated to this column.

Details about each elective are in Part 3 of the booklet. When you choose an elective it will be important to ensure that it creates added value by providing a balanced curriculum for you.

Electives on offer this session are:

Elective / Department/Faculty
Computers and The Internet / BEIT Faculty
Creative Design / Art & Design Department
Digital Imagery / Art & Design Department
Engineering Craft Skills / Design & Technology Department
Travel and Tourism / Social Subjects Faculty
Languages Plus – German / Modern Languages Faculty
Performance / Performing Arts Faculty
Chemistry or Biology (one of two) –
Intermediate 2 (2 Year) / Science Faculty

RMPS – Intermediate 1/2 (2 Year)

/ Social Subjects Faculty
Sci-Phi – Philosophy in Film / Social Subjects Faculty
Performance UnitPE: Creative Physical Activities / PE Department
Performance UnitPE: Team Physical Activities
Skills for Work Courses / AberdeenCollege

Once you have had time to think about the information in this booklet you will receive a helpful form in PSE. Follow the simple instructions on the form and these will guide you as you make your final course decisions.

Beyond S4

So now you have some guidelines to follow when selecting subjects you would like to do in S3/4. One last thing to bear in mind will be to consider what you might want to do at the end of S4. This may seem like a long way away, but the decisions you make now may have a potential impact on the options you will have to consider in two years time. You may be planning to leave school at that stage if you are old enough. It is normally possible for those who stay on at school to progress from S3/4 into a higher level course in most subjects. The diagram below shows you the sort of pathways that you might be able to consider.

Some examples of the ways that you may be able to progress in many subject areas are:

  • If you achieve Foundation level in English, you might move on to Intermediate 1 in English.
  • If you achieve Access 3 in Maths, you might move on to Intermediate 1 in Maths.
  • If you achieve a Credit level in French, you might move on to Higher French.

Careers Advice

Most of you will have spent some time thinking about what you might like to do when you leave school. There is a wide variety of ways in which you can find some more information about possible careers. Page 26 of the “Which Way Now” booklet may give you some more ideas about things to do.

During the “Options” process you will meet the Careers Adviser for MeldrumAcademy in one of your PSE lessons. You may also have taken the opportunity to meet her at a lunch time “clinic” and can continue to do so at anytime. Watch the bulletin and the plasma screen for dates of clinics.

You are welcome to log on to the website where there is a lot of useful information and a section dedicated to S2 Options.

COMMON CORE

COURSES

PART 1


“Core Business” and Life and Technology Skills (BLT)

Why BLT?

This course focuses on developing skills, attitudes and knowledge in Enterprise, Finance/Economics and Life with a view to preparing our young people for work and home life.

What does the course involve?

The Enterprise element of this course will explore innovation, creativity and risk management. The second element of this course may comprise financial matters such as saving/budgeting, Financing a Car, Holidays abroad, Weddings and Childcare. In addition to ICT being used to deliver the Enterprise and Financial part of this course, an opportunity to gain an ICT unit qualification will be offered.

How is your work assessed?

Formal assessment is not necessary since the main aim of this part of the course is to prepare students for the future in their working and home lives.

Subject Group: Technological Activities & Applications

9

English: Standard Grade

Why English?

A good command of English is the key to success in many aspects of your life and work. It is important to be able to communicate well with others and to express yourself clearly in writing. Skills in English will help you in many other school subjects and later, in the world of work. Reading books, newspapers and magazines provides enjoyment and information throughout your life.

What does the course involve?

There are three main elements in this course which have an equal weighting in calculating the final award in the subject:

  • Reading: studying poetry, drama, novels and short stories in detail and writing about them critically.
  • Writing: completing a variety of writing tasks ranging from pieces which give information, to creative work in which the imagination is used and ideas developed
  • Talk: learning to play a useful part in discussion as well as giving an individual talk

Additional skills which are developed in this course include –

  • working with others in groups
  • learning to improve and redraft your own work.

How is your work assessed?

English is assessed at Foundation, General and Credit levels.

  • Close Reading and Writing are assessed by an external examination, set and marked by the SQA.
  • Talk is assessed in school by the teacher.

A Folio of five pieces of course work is sent to the SQA for assessment. The pieces in this Folio contribute towards your final mark for Reading and Writing.

Subject Group: Language and Communication

1

English: Access

Why English?

Being able to read, speak and write in clear English is the key to success in many aspects of life and work. Skills in English are important in many school/college subjects and essential in many occupations. This course provides you with purposeful reading, writing, talking and listening. These activities enable you to improve and extend your communication skills and also help you to enjoy the English language in prose, poetry and drama.

What does the course involve?

You must complete three units in each course:

Language Study, Literary Study and Oral Communication (Access 2)

Language Study, Literary Study and Personal Study (Access 3)

Language Study

This unit concentrates on writing of different kinds and also covers a wide range of related reading.

Literary Study

In this unit you are involved in reading literature and giving your feelings and opinions on it. You will use a variety of texts from at least two of four categories: prose fiction, poetry, drama and mass media. One of these texts must be Scottish.

Oral Communication

In this unit you will

  • watch and/or listen to a variety of texts such as speeches or broadcasts (news, documentaries, advertisements, etc)
  • say what your own opinions and feelings are about the texts
  • take part in group discussions
  • plan and deliver a talk about something of interest to you

Personal Study

You will select and study text(s) or topic(s) from one or more than one of the following:

  • Literature (fiction or non-fiction)

Subject Group: Language and Communication

Physical Education: Core

Why Physical Education?

Throughout S3 and S4 you will receive 2 periods each week of Physical Education. During this time you will have an opportunity to build on your practical skills and knowledge and understanding developed during the 5-14 Physical Education Course.

What does the course involve?

In S3/S4 you will have the opportunity to improve your performance in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. At times you will be offered a choice of activity, allowing you to follow a course that is based on your own individual strengths and interests.

Subject Group: Physical Education


Mathematics : Standard Grade

Why Mathematics ?

The mathematics course is designed to play a useful part in your personal development and overall education. It provides you with skills which are helpful in other school subjects and which will be important for your every day life, now, and in the world of work. This course helps you to learn to appreciate mathematics and understand its important in today’s world.

For many Further Education courses this is a compulsory subject for entry and employers very often require job applicants to have a qualification in mathematics.

Course outline

Two elements in this course are –

  • Knowledge and Understanding
  • Reasoning and Enquiry

The course teaches you to describe, tackle and solve problems that arise in real life using mathematical knowledge and techniques. This involves –

  • Interpreting information
  • Identifying methods of solving problems
  • Carrying out the calculations and work necessary
  • Presenting the solution

The areas that are covered are –

  • Number and money
  • Measure and Shape
  • Relationships
  • Statistics

Throughout the course you will be involved in making estimates and checking calculations. You will also learn the importance of accuracy in measurement and calculation.

How is your work assessed?

Mathematics is assessed at Foundation, General and Credit levels.

  • Knowledge and understanding and Reasoning and Enquiry are assessed by external examinations, set and marked by the SQA.
  • At each level, two papers will be set, one where a calculator may not be used and one where a calculator may be used.

Progression

Successful completion of this course will normally lead to study at the following levels:

  • A pass at Foundation Level – Intermediate 1
  • A pass at General Level – Intermediate 2
  • A Pass at Credit level - Higher
Subject Group: Mathematical Studies & Applications

Mathematics : Access 3

Why Mathematics?

This course is designed to improve your skills in arithmetic and basic mathematics. The course centres on the use of Mathematics in everyday situations such as shopping, holidays and budgets.

Entry to the course

5 – 14 level B/C pass in S2

What does the course involve?

The course is made up of three units of work.

Using Mathematics 1

This unit includes :

  • Whole number skills
  • Use of simple fractions
  • Money calculations
  • Measuring length accurately

Using Mathematics 2

This unit builds on the work of Unit 1. It includes

  • Money & measurements – calculation in everyday situations
  • Multiplying and dividing numbers
  • Rounding up money to the nearest pence
  • Interpretation of tabled information eg: timetables
  • Measuring length, weight and volume

Using Mathematics 3

The unit continues the work of the previous two units in:

  • Number, fraction and percentage calculations
  • Bar graphs, line graphs and scatter graphs
  • Measurement skills
  • Simple line symmetry, area and volume.

How is your work assessed?

On completion of each unit pupils are tested using SQA approved assessments.

Subject Group: Mathematical Studies & Applications


French: Standard Grade (Credit\General)

Why French?

Every pupil has the entitlement to learn a foreign language up to Standard Grade level. The ability to speak another language is important in many areas of business and commerce. Since the opening of the Single European Market in 1992, trade barriers have been removed and many companies now operate in several European countries. As a result, employers are often looking for people who can speak more than one language. French is central to European business life as well as being an invaluable springboard to the learning of other languages. Languages other than English are increasingly being used on the internet and knowing another language can open up lots of new possibilities.

You will find French a very useful language when travelling abroad as it is widely spoken in Europe and beyond.

Performance in S2 will determine whether this is the appropriate course for you.

Course outline

There are four main elements in this course –

  • Reading: developing the ability to read French text through a variety of exercises, such as reading signs, notices, magazine articles, advertisements and texts.
  • Speaking: learning to communicate in French in every day situations. You may be expected to produce spoken work on tape.
  • Listening: learning to listen to and understand examples of French text or dialogue read on tape by native French speakers, the teacher or other students.
  • Writing: building on the other skills by learning to write answers and passages in French.

Throughout the course, time is spent on improving your grammatical skills and increasing your vocabulary.