Curriculum Booklet

Senior Phase

Curriculum Booklet

Kincorth Academy

2017-18

ContentsPage

English2-4

Spanish5

Maths6-10

Art11-13

Drama14-16

Music17-19

Physical Education20-21

Geography22-23

History24-25

Modern Studies26-27

Travel and Tourism28

Biology29-30

Chemistry31-32

Physics33-34

Administration and IT35-36

Business Management37-39

Computing40-41

Design and Manufacture42-43

Graphic Communication44-45

Practical Woodworking46

English

National 4/5

Content

Pupils will be taught 2 texts in preparation for the exam, including a compulsory Scottish text. These texts will be carefully selected by the class teacher to provide suitable pace and challenge. The skills of close reading and textual analysis are fundamental to the course structure and will be woven together with the development of skills in talking and listening, preparing pupils for both internal assessments and the SQA exam. Pupils will also develop writing skills and produce a minimum of two pieces: creative/personal and persuasive.

Skills

-Talking and listening skills

-Reading and writing skills

-Self-awareness

-Confidence & resilience

-Independent learning & problem solving

Assessment

Four internal assessments grouped under two categories:

-Analysis and Evaluation: Reading and Listening

-Creation and Production: Writing and Talking

External assessment:

-Folio: 2 pieces of writing – personal/creative and persuasive

-Exam: Paper 1 – Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation.

Paper 2 – Critical Reading (2 parts) – Scottish text questions and critical essay

Progression

Pupils can progress into S4 for the following:

-National 5

-Higher English

Homework

Regular reading of a variety of texts is expected of all pupils. Weekly homework to be determined by the teacher but will include essay writing, practising close reading skills and revision of course content.

English

Higher

Content

Skills

-Talking and listening skills

-Reading and writing skills

-Self-awareness

-Confidence & resilience

-Independent learning & problem solving

Assessment

Four internal assessments grouped under two categories:

-Analysis and Evaluation: Reading and Listening

-Creation and Production: Writing and Talking

External assessment:

-Folio: 2 pieces of writing – personal/creative and persuasive

-Exam: Paper 1 – Reading for Understanding, Analysis and Evaluation.

Paper 2 – Critical Reading (2 parts) – Scottish text questions and critical essay

Progression

Pupils can progress into S5/6 for the following:

-Advanced Higher English

Homework

English

Advanced Higher

Content

This course is designed to build on the knowledge and skills that you have gained in Higher English and allow you to pursue particular interests and strengths in more specialised areas of study. The course presents considerable academic and personal challenges and requires you to think and work independently. It provides a sound base for further study of English and also gives you a level of linguistic competence which is extremely valuable for a wide range of other studies and employment situations.

Skills

-Talking and listening skills

-Reading and writing skills

-Self-awareness

-Confidence & resilience

-Independent learning & problem solving

Assessment

Internal assessments are grouped under two categories:

-Analysis and Evaluation: reading and analysis of literary texts

-Creation and Production: producing a number of writing pieces in a variety of genres

External assessment:

-Creative Writing Folio: 2 pieces of writing from a choice of genres

-Exam: Paper 1 – Literary Study – critical essay comparing 2 texts

Paper 2 – Textual Analysis – unseen passage and question

-Dissertation: An extended essay on texts of pupil’s choice

Progression

Pupils can use the skills developed in Advanced Higher English to progress successfully into further study.

Homework

Regular reading of a variety of texts is expected of all pupils. Weekly homework will be determined by the teacher and will include essay writing, practising textual analysis skills and revision of course content. Pupils are expected to be independent and self-study throughout the course.

Spanish N4/5 & Higher

Content

Society – family and friends, lifestyles, media, global languages, citizenship

Learning – Learning in context, education, jobs

Employability – Jobs, work and CVs

Culture – Planning a trip, other countries, celebrating a special event, literature of another country, film and television

Skills

Literacy – essay writing, close reading, dictionary use, grammar in context.

Numeracy – use of time, numbers, games with numbers

Team work

Communication – presentation, speaking assessments.

Critical thinking – literature/ film analysis

Time management – meeting deadlines

Self-study

Health & Wellbeing – discussion of healthy living, drug abuse, smoking and alcohol

Assessment

Highers – 4 internal assessment in four skills (writing, reading, talking, listening) plus 2 written exams with same skills.

National 5 – 2 written exams in four skills (writing, reading, talking, listening).

National 4 - 4 internal assessment in four skills (writing, reading, talking, listening), no written/formal exams.

Progression

National 4 – Progress into National 5

National 5 – Progress into Higher Spanish

Higher – Progress into Advance Higher (college course) or university course

Homework

Minimum 2 hours a week of written, reading, listening or vocabulary learning homework.

LIFESKILLS MATHEMATICS – NATIONAL 4

Content

The course consists of four mandatory units:

Lifeskills Mathematics: Managing Finance and Statistics

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills that focus on the use of mathematical ideas and strategies that can be applied to managing finance and statistics in straightforward real-life contexts. This includes using skills in budgeting as well as skills in organising and presenting data, to explain solutions and/or draw conclusions.

Lifeskills Mathematics: Geometry and Measures

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills that focus on the use of mathematical ideas and strategies that can be applied to geometry and measurement in straightforward real-life contexts. This includes using skills in interpreting and in using shape, space and measures to determine and explain solutions.

Numeracy

The general aim of this Unit is to develop learners’ numerical and information handling skills to solve straightforward, real-life problems involving number, money, time and measurement.

Lifeskills Mathematics: Test (Added Value)

The general aim of this Unit is to enable the learner to provide evidence of added value for the course through the successful completion of a test which will allow the learner to demonstrate breadth and challenge.

Course Assessment

The award of National 4 Lifeskills Mathematics will be based on internal assessments only. To gain the award, the candidate must achieve a pass in all the component units of the course as well as a pass in the added value unit.

Progression

On successful completion of this course, the learner could progress to:

further study, employment or training;

Homework

Pupils are expected to undertake regular self-study & homework, ranging from individual topic homeworks to problem-solving exercises & revision for assessments.

MATHEMATICS – NATIONAL 4

Content

The course consists of four mandatory units:

Mathematics: Expressions and Formulae

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills linked to straightforward mathematical expressions and formulae. These include the manipulation of abstract terms, the simplification of expressions and the evaluation of formulae.

Mathematics: Relationships

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills linked to straightforward mathematical relationships. These include solving equations, understanding graphs and working with trigonometric ratios.

Numeracy

The general aim of this Unit is to develop learners’ numerical and information handling skills to solve straightforward, real-life problems involving number, money, time and measurement.

Mathematics: Test (Added Value)

Course Assessment

The award of National 4 Mathematics will be based on internal assessments only. To gain the award, the candidate must achieve a pass in all the component units of the course as well as a pass in the added value unit.

Progression

On successful completion of this course, the learner could progress to National 5 Mathematics.

Homework

Pupils are expected to undertake regular self-study & homework, ranging from individual topic homeworks to problem-solving exercises & revision for assessments.

MATHEMATICS – NATIONAL 5

Content

The course consists of three mandatory units:

Mathematics: Expressions and Formulae

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills linked to mathematical expressions and formulae. These include the manipulation of abstract terms, the simplification of expressions and the evaluation of formulae.

Mathematics: Relationships

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills linked to mathematical relationships. These include solving and manipulating equations, working with graphs and carrying out calculations on the lengths and angles of shapes.

Mathematics: Applications

The general aim of this Unit is to develop skills linked to applications of mathematics. These include using trigonometry, geometry, number processes and statistics within real-life contexts.

Course Assessment

The award of National 5 Mathematics will be based on a combination of internal and external assessment. To gain the award, the candidate must achieve a pass in all the component units of the course as well as a pass in the external assessment. External assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment through an external examination.

Progression

On successful completion of this course, the learner could progress to Higher Mathematics.

Homework

Pupils are expected to undertake regular self-study & homework, ranging from individual topic homework to problem-solving exercises & revision for assessments. Pupils should also be attempting past paper questions in their own time to best prepare themselves for the final exam.

MATHEMATICS - HIGHER

Content

The course consists of three mandatory units:

Mathematics: Expressions and Functions

The general aim of this Unit is to develop knowledge and skills that involve the manipulation of expressions, the use of vectors and the study of mathematical functions.

Mathematics: Relationships and Calculus

The general aim of this Unit is to develop knowledge and skills that involve solving equations and to introduce both differential calculus and integral calculus.

Mathematics: Applications

The general aim of this Unit is to develop knowledge and skills that involve geometric applications, applications of sequences and applications of calculus.

Course Assessment

The award of Higher Mathematics will be based on a combination of internal and external assessment. To gain the award, the candidate must achieve a pass in all the component units of the course as well as a pass in the external assessment. External assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment through an external examination.

Progression

On successful completion of this course, the learner could progress to Advanced Higher Mathematics.

Homework

MATHEMATICS – ADVANCED HIGHER

Content

The course consists of three mandatory units:

Mathematics: Methods in Algebra and Calculus

The general aim of the Unit is to develop advanced knowledge and skills in algebra and calculus that can be used in practical and abstract situations to manage information in mathematical form.

Mathematics: Applications of Algebra and Calculus

The general aim of the Unit is to develop advanced knowledge and skills that involve the application of algebra and calculus to real-life and mathematical situations, including applications of geometry. Learners will acquire skills in interpreting and analysing problem situations where these skills can be used.

Mathematics: Geometry, Proof and Systems of Equations

The general aim of the Unit is to develop advanced knowledge and skills that involve geometry, number and algebra, and to examine the close relationship between them. Learners will develop skills in logical thinking.

Assessment

The award of Advanced Higher Mathematics will be based on a combination of internal and external assessment. To gain the award, the candidate must achieve a pass in all the component units of the course as well as a pass in the external assessment. External assessment will provide the basis for grading attainment through an external examination.

Progression

On successful completion of this course, the learner could progress to further study at degree level in university.

Homework

Pupils are expected to undertake regular self-study & homework, ranging from individual topic homeworks to problem-solving exercises & revision for assessments. Pupils should also be attempting past paper questions in their own time to best prepare themselves for the final exam.

Art & Design National 4&5

Content

The Course is practical and experimental and the key focus is creativity. Learners on the Course will develop knowledge of art and design practice and a range of practical media handling skills in both expressive and design contexts. Learners will investigate and analyse how artists and designers have used materials, techniques and/or technology in their work, before experimenting with and using these when developing their ideas.

Expressive: Learners will select a theme within the topic of Still Life and produce a portfolio of development work and an outcome.

Design: Learners select a discipline of design, such as fashion, graphics or product, and produce a portfolio of development work and a final design solution.

Art & Design Studies: Learners research artists and designers relevant to their chosen specialist areas of study.

Skills

Pupils will develop a range of skills in this course, in particular:

Confidence, Creativity, Problem solving, Technology, Time management and organisation, Literacy and numeracy, Investigating, researching, analysing and evaluating

Assessment

National 4 learners are internally assessed on a pass or fail basis.

National 5

Expressive: A portfolio of expressive work is completed in class and sent to SQA to be assessed externally. This is worth 40% of the final mark.

Design: A portfolio of design work is completed in class and sent to SQA to be assessed externally. This is worth 40% of the final mark.

Art & Design Studies: A one hour ten minute written examination on artists and designers. This is worth 20% of the final mark.

Progression

National 5 (for N4 candidates).

Higher Art & Design (for N5 candidates).

College courses in a range of Art & Design subjects such as animation, fashion, fine art, architecture and photography (for both N4 and N5 candidates).

Homework

Weekly homework tasks on critical studies or practical tasks for portfolio. It is also expected that learners should be willing to work out of class timetabled time (study periods, lunchtime, after school) throughout the year in order to complete the portfolios to the high standard expected by SQA.

Art & Design Higher

Content

The Course is practical and experimental and the key focus is creativity. Learning in the Course will develop knowledge of art and design practice and a range of practical media handling skills in both expressive and design contexts. At this level, learners will show increasing personal autonomy and creative decision making when agreeing the content and context of their work.

Learning in the Course will include active involvement in creative activities and the use of a range of art and design materials, techniques and/or technology. Learning through art and design also develops learners’ ability to critically appreciate aesthetic and cultural values, identities and ideas

Expressive: Learners will select a theme within the topic of Portraiture and produce a portfolio of development work and an outcome.

Design: Learners select a discipline of design from the areas of architecture, fashion, graphic and product design and produce a portfolio of development work and a final design solution.

Art & Design Studies: Learners research artists and designers relevant to their chosen specialist areas of study.

Skills

Pupils will develop a range of skills in this course, in particular:Confidence, Creativity, Teamwork, Problem solving, Technology, Time management and organisation, Literacy and numeracy, Investigating, researching, analysing and evaluating

Assessment

Expressive: A portfolio of expressive work is completed in class and sent to SQA to be assessed externally. This is worth 36% of the final mark.

Design: A portfolio of design work is completed in class and sent to SQA to be assessed externally. This is worth 36% of the final mark.

Art & Design Studies: A two hour written examination on artists and designers. This is worth 28% of the final mark.

Progression

Advanced Higher Art & Design

College and University courses in a range of Art & Design subjects such as animation, fashion, fine art, architecture and photography.

Homework

Art & Design Advanced Higher

Content

The development of creativity is the main focus of this practical and experimental course. In this Course, learners will engage in a creative and personally selected expressive OR design enquiry. At the start of the year learners negotiate with their teacher a suitable and relevant theme for their independent project. Learners are expected to produce development work along with one or more outcomes/solutions. Sketchbooks are to be used to support on-going practical work.