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The majority of information on this site has been updated for session 2025/26.
S5/6 Curriculum Rationale
S5/6 Curriculum Rationale
In S5, pupils continue with their Senior Phase journey, building on any skills, knowledge and qualifications gained in previous years.
In S5 there are no restrictions placed on course choice with pupils being given full responsibility to make subject choices that are relevant to their aspirations, strengths and interests.
The Qualifications Explained page contains useful information on the types of qualification available to pupils in the senior phase.
Curriculum Structure
Curriculum Structure
S5 Structure
S5 Structure
In S5, pupils are required to study five subjects and to have a full 30 period timetable.
In exceptional circumstances, in consultation with their PT Guidance, pupils may study less than five subjects.
Pupils are also allocated 5 periods of core curriculum time:- PSE and 2 periods each of Private Study and Core PE .
There is an option, where appropriate, for pupils to study a 6th subject at Dundee and Angus College on Friday mornings or at NESCOL (days and times vary). Pupils should consult their PT Guidance if considering either of these options.
NESCOL courses require an application to be sent via your PTG.
Curriculum Offer
Curriculum Offer
Level 4 / 5 Offer
Level 4 / 5 Offer
(All course are National 5 unless stated)
English:
English
Mathematics:
Applications of Mathematics
Business, Computing and Enterprise:
Admin & IT, Business & IT NPA Level 5, Retailing (National 5 Skills for Work).
Expressive Arts:
Art & Design, Drama, Music, Music Technology, Photography (NPA Level 5), Jewellery: Basic Techniques (NPA Level 5).
Health and Leisure:
Physical Education: Strand 1, Physical Education: Strand 2, Practical Cookery.
* See slides 3 and 4 of the N5 PE presentation for details on activities within each strand.
Modern Languages:
French, Spanish.
Science:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science & Health (NPA Level 4), Applied Science with Forensics (NPA Level 5), Energy (National 5 Skills for Work).
Social Subjects:
Geography, History, Modern Studies, People and Society (National 4), Travel and Tourism (National 5 Skills for Work).
Technical and Outdoor Learning:
Beekeeping (NPA Level 5), Design & Manufacture, Graphic Communication, Practical Woodworking, Practical Metalworking*.
*Recommended only for pupils who have previously taken National 5 Woodworking.
Equity and Life skills
Barista Skills and Customer Services (NPA/Award Level 5), Glam Candy: Makeup Skills (NPA Level 5), Achieve Group (SCQF Levels 3/4/5).
External Provider:
Construction (Level 5 FA).
Level 6 Offer
Level 6 Offer
(All Courses are Higher unless stated)
English:
English, Level 6 Literacy (Communication and Literature)
Mathematics:
Mathematics
Business, Computing and Enterprise:
Admin & IT, Business & IT Skills (NPA Level 6), Business Skills (Level 6 FA), Business Management.
Expressive Arts:
Art & Design, Drama, Music, Music Technology, Acting and Performance (NPA Level 6).
Health and Leisure:
Physical Education, Sports Development (Level 6 NPA).
Modern Languages:
French, Spanish.
Science:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Human Biology, Scientific Technologies (Level 6 FA), Scientific Technologies (Level 6 NPA).
Social Subjects:
Geography, History, Modern Studies.
Technical and Outdoor Learning:
Design & Manufacture, Graphic Communication.
External Provider:
Children and Young People (Level 6 FA).
Health and Social Care (Level 6 FA).
Food and Drink Technology (Level 6 FA - likely to run off-site).
IT Cybersecurity and Network Management (Level 6 FA - likely to be delivered online).
IT Software Development (Level 6 FA - likely to be delivered online).
Dundee and Angus College Offer
Dundee and Angus College Offer
All D&A courses run on Friday mornings at the Arbroath Campus. A bus is organised by the school for this. Please note that by attending D&A college on Friday mornings, pupils will miss the first 5 periods of the day which they will be responsible for catching up with in their own time.
A list of courses on offer is given below:
Building Services and the Built Environment
Construction Engineering Level 5 NPA.
Children and Young People:
SfW Childcare National 4, SfW Childcare National 5.
Computing and Creative Media:
Web Design Level 5 NPA, Cybersecurity Level 5 NPA.
Construction:
Construction Crafts and Technician Level 4 NPA, Construction Skills Level 5 NPA.
Engineering:
Automotive Skills Level 4 FA, SfW Engineering Skills National 5.
Hair and Beauty:
VTCT Extended Award in Hair and Beauty Skills Level 1 (equivalent to scqf level 4), VTCT Extended Award in Hair and Beauty Skills Level 2 (equivalent to scqf level 5), D&A Certificate in Barbering (equivalent to scqf level 5).
Health and Social Care:
SfW Health Sector National 5.
Hospitality and Professional Cookery:
Professional Cookery Level 4 NPA, Hospitality Level 5 FA.
Animals, Land and Environment:
Introduction to Horticulture, Agriculture and Estates Level 4, Investigation of Modern Agriculture Level 5 NPA, Animal Care Level 5 NPA, Horticulture Level 5 NPA.
Social Sciences:
Criminology Level 5 NPA, Psychology Level 5 NPA. Criminology Level 6 NPA, Psychology Higher.
Sport and Fitness:
SfW Sport and Fitness NCFE 1 (equivalent to scqf level 5), SfW Sport and Fitness NCFE 2 (follow on course for those who have completed NCFE 1 in previous years).
Further details on all the above college courses are given in the D&A College Subject Guide at the bottom of the page.
Nescol Offer
Nescol Offer
Nescol courses typically run on Tuesday and Wednesdays at the Aberdeen City Campus although days and times can vary. Unlike with Dundee & Angus college courses, where a bus is provided, pupils must make their own travel arrangements for getting to Aberdeen although pupils will be reimbursed for any public transport required. Pupils interested in taking a Nescol course will need to apply for entry through their Guidance teacher.
A list of schools link courses can be found through the Nescol subject guide link at the bottom of the page.
Please note: Pupils should only pick courses at Nescol if they are not on offer in school or through Dundee & Angus College.
Practice S4 into S5 Choice form
Practice S4 into S5 Choice form
Choice Process - Timeline
Choice Process - Timeline
S4 into S5 (27th Jan - 14th Feb)
S4 into S5 (27th Jan - 14th Feb)
PSE input on course choice through PSE.
Pupils issued a provisional choice form for completion.
1:1 Guidance appointments to discuss choices if required.
Choices finalised and sent to parents/carers for confirmation.
Post-Choice Process
Post-Choice Process
Once forms are handed in the following steps take place:
Numbers checked for viability (staffing, class sizes etc)
- pupils notified if a choice isn’t running and asked to choose another option
Column Structure created to maximise choice satisfaction
- pupils notified if choices aren’t satisfied and asked to choose another option
Timetable produced
No news is good news!
- pupils are only informed if there is an issue with any of their choices
Choice Process: Key Staff
Choice Process: Key Staff
There are a number of staff involved in the choice process. The list below gives an overview of the key staff involved in the choice process along with some of the supports that are available.
Classroom Teachers / Faculty Heads
- Experts in their curricular area
- Know pupil strengths and weaknesses in curricular area
- Know likelihood of success / progression
Classroom Teachers / Faculty Heads
- Experts in their curricular area
- Know pupil strengths and weaknesses in curricular area
- Know likelihood of success / progression
PT ASL (Mrs Hamilton)
- Available to support pupils who attend ASL and who would benefit from a flexible curriculum
PT ASL (Mrs Hamilton)
- Available to support pupils who attend ASL and who would benefit from a flexible curriculum
PT Guidance
- Available for 1:1 meetings with pupils and parents
- Overview of pupil strengths / weaknesses / ambitions
- Link between Faculties, SLT and Home
PT Guidance
- Available for 1:1 meetings with pupils and parents
- Overview of pupil strengths / weaknesses / ambitions
- Link between Faculties, SLT and Home
Careers Advisor (Karen Youngson, SDS)
- Wide knowledge of post-school options (college, university, apprenticeships, work)
- Available for 1:1 meetings with pupils and parents
- Appointments available through PT Guidance
Careers Advisor (Karen Youngson, SDS)
- Wide knowledge of post-school options (college, university, apprenticeships, work)
- Available for 1:1 meetings with pupils and parents
- Appointments available through PT Guidance
DHT Curriculum (Mr Christie)
- Responsibility for curriculum offer
- Responsibility for timetable
DHT Curriculum (Mr Christie)
- Responsibility for curriculum offer
- Responsibility for timetable
National 5 to Higher Progression Stats
National 5 to Higher Progression Stats
These charts are based on statistics produced by the SQA each year which give a breakdown of how candidates performed at Higher based on their National 5 performance the previous year.
They should be used to help inform learners of the likelihood of achieving a Higher qualification based on their predicted / final grade for National 5, to ensure the most appropriate pathway is chosen for next session.
Using English as an example, of the candidates who achieved an A at National 5, 95% will go on to achieve an A-C pass at Higher with 48% achieving an A at Higher and 80% achieving at least a B. For candidates who achieved a C at National 5, 29% of candidates will go on to achieve an A-C pass at Higher with 1% achieving an A at Higher and 8% achieving at least a B at Higher.
Please note that these statistics are based on candidates who were presented for the final exam. If pupils who started courses but then dropped out were factored in, these pass rates would likely be much lower.
National 4 to National 5 Progression Stats
National 4 to National 5 Progression Stats
This chart is based on statistics produced by the SQA each year which give a breakdown of how candidates progressed from National 4 to National 5.
It should be used to help inform learners of the likelihood of achieving a National 5 qualification in S5/6 if they have previously been presented for National 4, to ensure the most appropriate pathway is chosen for next session.
Using Mathematics as an example, 29% of National 4 candidates will go on to achieve an A-C pass at National 5 the following year with 4% of candidates achieving an A at N5, and 12% achieving at least a B.
Please note that these statistics are based on candidates who were presented for the final exam. If pupils who started courses but then dropped out were factored in, these pass rates would likely be much lower.
Senior Phase
Subject Guide
D&A College
Subject Guide
Nescol
Subject Guide
Careers Advice
Course Choice FAQs
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