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The majority of information on this site has been updated for session 2025/26.
S6 Curriculum Rationale
S6 Curriculum Rationale
In S6, pupils continue with their Senior Phase journey, building on any skills, knowledge and qualifications gained in previous years through choices that are relevant to their aspirations, strengths and interests. In S6, pupils will be also given wider responsibilities and opportunities to gain the most out of their final year of study, both in terms of academic achievement and personal development.
By the end of S6, we have an aspiration for all pupils to achieve a level 6 English or Literacy qualification. Pupils who have not achieved this by the end of S5, will be strongly encouraged to study either Higher English or the S6 Literacy course in their S6.
The Qualifications Explained page contains useful information on the types of qualification available to pupils in the senior phase.
Curriculum Structure
Curriculum Structure
In S6, pupils are required to commit to a minimum of 24 periods of timetabled learning & engagement on their timetable, the vast majority of which should be traditional classroom based subjects. This still leaves 6 periods free, the equivalent of a full school day, which pupils can use for private study and other interests. 2 of the 24 periods will be covered by core PE and PSE which are compulsory for all, leaving a minimum of 22 periods to be made up from a combination of classroom subjects and wider school responsibilities. Within these 22 periods, the expectation would be that most learners in S6 study a minimum of 3 SCQF Level 6 or 7 courses in their final year.
As a rough guide, the number of periods allocated for different courses / responsibilities is given below:
Level 4/5 courses - 4 periods
Level 6/7 courses - 5 periods
Level 6 Foundation Apprenticeships - 7 periods (5 periods classroom based plus 2 periods for work placement)
YASS Open University courses - 4 periods
Pupil Leadership Team Commitments - 2 periods
Self-found Work Experience - 4 to 6 periods
Peer Mentoring - 1 period
Classroom Support - 1 to 4 periods
Condensed courses / awards eg S6 Barista, S6 Photography, PC Passport - 2 periods
There is an option, where appropriate, for pupils to study 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. These would contribute towards the 24 period commitment.
Please note that 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:
Mathematics, Applications of Mathematics
Business, Computing and Enterprise:
Admin & IT, Business & IT NPA Level 5, Retailing (National 5 Skills for Work).
Digital Technologies:
PC Passport (Level 5 NPA)
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
Glam Candy: Makeup Skills (NPA Level 5), Barista Skills (NPA Level 5) - S6 condensed course.
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, Young Enterprise* & Events** (*Level 6 Award, **Level 6 NPA).
Digital Technologies:
PC Passport (Level 6 NPA)
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, Legal Studies (Level 6 NPA).
Religious and Moral Education:
RMPS
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).
Level 7 Offer (including YASS)
Level 7 Offer (including YASS)
Level 7 offer
Level 7 offer
Courses organised by curricular area.
Please note that any course marked as YASS is a Level 7 Open University online course which is self-studied.
English:
English (Advanced Higher), English for Academic Purposes (YASS)
Mathematics:
Mathematics (Advanced Higher), Introducing Statistics (YASS).
Modern Languages:
Exploring Languages and Culture (YASS), Introduction to French Studies (YASS), Introduction to Spanish Studies (YASS). French Studies 1 (YASS)*, Spanish Studies 1 (YASS)**.
*Entry requirement of Higher French.
** Entry requirement of Higher Spanish.
Expressive Arts:
Art & Design (Advanced Higher), Music (Advanced Higher).
Health and Leisure:
SfA Refereeing (Level 7 SQA Award).
Science:
Biology (Advanced Higher), Chemistry (Advanced Higher), Physics (Advanced Higher), Physics and Space (YASS), Contemporary Topics in Science (YASS).
Social Subjects:
Law Making in Scotland (YASS), Contemporary Topics in Science (YASS).
Technical and Outdoor Learning:
Design and Manufacture*, Engineering Origins Methods and Context (YASS).
*Bi-level class with Higher D&M. Higher pupils will take priority if oversubscribed.
Business, Computing and Enterprise:
Technologies in Practice (YASS), Introduction to Computing and Information Technology 1 (YASS), Communication Skills for Business and Management (YASS), Fundamentals of Accounting (YASS).
Equity and Life skills
Barista Skills - S6 version (Level 5 NPA)
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 S5 into S6 Choice form
Practice S5 into S6 Choice form
Choice Process - Timeline
Choice Process - Timeline
S5 into S6 (27th Jan - 14th Feb)
S5 into S6 (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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