The majority of information on this site has been updated for session 2025/26.
Purpose
This course will offer students the opportunity to study Physical Education at a challenging level. The course will have performance as its prime focus and students will be engaged in integrated practical experiential studies which will advance their skills and techniques while developing knowledge and understanding, evaluating, investigating and performance analysis competencies. The course will contribute to the personal and social development of students.
Recommended Entry
While entry is at the discretion of the school, students would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:
It would be beneficial if pupils had completed the Pre NQ course in S3.
Other relevant prior experience in Physical Education, including experience gained outwith certificated courses.
Course Details
The course runs two different strands, both of which cover different activities. Pupils should pick the strand best suited to their strengths and areas of interest:
Strand 1: The main activities that will be covered in this course are: Football, Volleyball, Basketball and Badminton.
Strand 2: The main activities that will be covered in this course are: Netball, Gymnastics, Dance and Netball.
Through both strands, pupils will study the four factors: Physical, Mental, Social and Emotional.
For each factor pupils will be involved in the following across a range of different activities:
Data collection
Identifying individual strengths and areas for development
Impacts on performance
Stages of Learning
Principles of Training
Approaches used to develop individual performance
Monitor, record and evaluate performance development
Identifying future development needs
Course Assessment
2 single performances (50% final grade)
A portfolio (50% final grade)
Performance (60 marks)
This is 2 single performances, in 2 different physical activities. This assessment takes place in a challenging and competitive environment, with each performance having 30 marks available.
The physical activities undertaken throughout the year will arise from a process of consultation between staff and students, which takes account of the interests and talents of the student and the constraints on both staff and student.
Portfolio (60 marks)
The portfolio gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
understanding factors that impact on performance
planning, developing and implementing approaches to enhance personal performance
monitoring, recording and evaluating performance development
decision-making and problem-solving
The portfolio is an ongoing piece of work that is completed under controlled conditions and sent to the SQA for external marking.
Progression
Higher PE in S5/6
This course or its component units may form part of one or more Scottish Group Awards.
Purpose
This course will offer students the opportunity to study Physical Education at a challenging level. The course will have performance as its prime focus and students will be engaged in integrated practical experiential studies which will advance their skills and techniques while developing knowledge and understanding, evaluating, investigating and performance analysis competencies. The course will contribute to the personal and social development of students.
Recommended Entry
While entry is at the discretion of the school, students would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:
A National 5 award in Physical Education.
Other relevant prior experience in Physical Education, including experience gained outwith certificated courses
A minimum of a National 5 pass in English
Prefer that S5 students are doing Higher English over one year
Course Details
Throughout the course pupils will study the four factors: Physical, Mental, Social and Emotional. For each factor pupils will be involved in the following across a range of different activities:
Data collection
Identifying individual strengths and areas for development
Impacts on performance
Stages of Learning
Principles of Training
Approaches used to develop individual performance
Monitor, record and evaluate performance development
Identifying future development needs
Course Assessment
2 single performances (50% final grade)
An Exam (50% final grade)
Performance (60 marks)
This is 2 single performances, in 2 different physical activities. This assessment takes place in a challenging and competitive environment, with each performance having 30 marks available.
The physical activities undertaken throughout the year will arise from a process of consultation between staff and students, which takes account of the interests and talents of the student and the constraints on both staff and student.
Exam (50 marks)
The work that you complete throughout the course provides the basis to your exam.
The exam lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and will be completed in school and then marked by the SQA.
Progression
Advanced Higher PE in S6
An HNC/HND in associated subject areas
A degree in Physical Education
Degree courses in associated subject areas
A career in amateur/professional sport or dance
Employment in the fitness, health, leisure and recreation industries
Employment in sports/dance development
This course or its component units may form part of one or more Scottish group awards.
See presentation below
Purpose
The National Progression Award in Sports Development is a suitable course if you have an interest in sport and physical activity and are willing to contribute to the provision and development of opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity within the school and local community setting.
Pupils will take part in a practical based unit that supports extra-curricular clubs through working in partnership with Active Schools. Pupils will also undertake a theoretical unit which will require completion of an essay and a research project. The course provides opportunities to develop skills for life, learning and work. Examples include leadership, communication, working with others, problem solving, ICT and numeracy skills.
Recommended Entry
While entry is at the discretion of the school, students would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:
Pupils should have achieved a minimum of a level B pass in National 5 PE.
Other relevant prior experience in Physical Education, including experience gained outwith certificated courses (Peer support, extra-curricular club involvement, transition events, etc).
Course Details
The course consists of two units both of which must be completed to obtain the group award.
Unit 1 – Activity and Participation Opportunities in an Organisation
Identify and explain opportunities for participation within a sport or fitness facility
Participate in and evaluate recreational physical activity
Describe the benefits of different types of participation to the individual and community
Unit 2 - Investigate Activity Development Opportunities in an Organisation
Explain the concept of Sports Development
Describe the opportunities and facilities for physical activity currently available to members of an organisation
Identify potential development projects to meet the needs of members
Describe financial, physical, and human resources required for the development of physical activity
Describes issues which impact on the viability of a selected development project
Course Assessment
Within each unit there are different assessment tasks that must be passed in order to achieve the full course award.
Unit 1 - Activity and Participation Opportunities in the Community
Portfolio of evidence from participation roles.
School and extra-curricular logbook.
Essay describing the benefits of participation in physical activity sessions to the individual and wider community.
Unit 2 - Investigate Activity Development Opportunities in an Organisation
Sports Development Report
Sports Development Project: Presentation / Poster
Progression
This course or units may provide progression to:
SQA Leadership Award
Higher National Certificates
Higher Education Degrees
National 5 Practical Cookery in a Nutshell
Purpose
The course aims to further develop learners’ life skills and enhance their personal effectiveness in terms of cookery and to provide a set of skills for those who wish to progress to further study and employment in the hospitality context. In preparing learners for life, the course anticipates their future needs in that it enables them to learn how to plan, prepare and cook for themselves and others. It also develops organisational skills, which have an application in a wide variety of contexts.
Recommended Entry
While entry is at the discretion of the school, students would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:
It would be beneficial if pupils had completed the Pre NQ course in S3.
Other relevant prior experience in Home Economics, including experience gained outwith certificated courses.
Course Details
The course aims to enable candidates to:
proficiently use a range of cookery skills, food preparation techniques and cookery processes when following recipes
select and use ingredients to produce and garnish or decorate dishes
develop an understanding of the characteristics of ingredients and an awareness of their sustainability
develop an understanding of current dietary advice relating to the use of ingredients
plan and produce meals and present them appropriately
work safely and hygienically
Course Assessment
Question Paper (30 marks)
The purpose of this question paper is to assess the candidates’ ability to integrate and apply breadth, knowledge, understanding and skills from across the course. The question paper will ask candidates to state, name, give, identify, describe, explain, calculate and evaluate.
This question paper gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following knowledge, understanding and skills:
the principles of selecting and using food preparation equipment
the principles of successful weighing and measuring
understanding cookery processes and food preparation techniques
understanding ingredients, their characteristics, and the importance of sustainability
knowledge and application of current dietary advice
knowledge of the application of the principles of food safety and hygiene
costing recipes
evaluation of presentation, taste or texture of dishes
The question paper has a total mark allocation of 30 marks. This is 25% of the overall marks for the course assessment.
Assignment (18 marks)
Practical activity (82 marks)
The assignment and practical activity are inter-related and will be assessed using one activity. Candidates will carry out one task — planning and producing a meal — which will provide evidence for both components.
The purpose of this is to assess candidates’ ability to plan, prepare and present a three course meal to a given specification within a given timescale. A brief specifies the three dishes to be produced.
The assignment and practical activity give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding in the context of producing and serving the meal:
♦ planning, organisational and time management skills
♦ applying food preparation techniques and cookery processes according to the given brief
♦ preparing and using ingredients according to the given brief
♦ presenting and serving each dish appropriately
♦ demonstrating the importance of food safety and hygiene and working safely and hygienically
The assignment and practical activity is conducted in two stages:
♦ stage 1: planning (assignment)
♦ stage 2: implementing (practical activity) The assignment and practical activity together have a total mark allocation of 100 marks. This is 75% of the overall marks for course assessment.
Progression
To further education at NC level in Hotel, Catering and Hospitality
To employment in Hotel, Catering and Hospitality.
87% of N4 PE candidates and 76% of N4 Practical Cookery candidates go on to pass N5 the following year.
Purpose
The National Progression Award in Sports Development is a suitable course if you have an interest in sport and physical activity and are willing to contribute to the provision and development of opportunities to participate in sport and physical activity within the school and local community setting.
Pupils will take part in a practical based unit that supports extra-curricular clubs through working in partnership with Active Schools. Pupils will also undertake a theoretical unit which will require completion of an essay and a research project. The course provides opportunities to develop skills for life, learning and work. Examples include leadership, communication, working with others, problem solving, ICT and numeracy skills.
Recommended Entry
While entry is at the discretion of the school, students would normally be expected to have attained one of the following:
Pupils should have achieved a minimum of a level B pass in National 5 PE.
Other relevant prior experience in Physical Education, including experience gained outwith certificated courses (Peer support, extra-curricular club involvement, transition events, etc).
Course Details
The course consists of two units both of which must be completed to obtain the group award.
Unit 1 – Activity and Participation Opportunities in an Organisation
Identify and explain opportunities for participation within a sport or fitness facility
Participate in and evaluate recreational physical activity
Describe the benefits of different types of participation to the individual and community
Unit 2 - Investigate Activity Development Opportunities in an Organisation
Explain the concept of Sports Development
Describe the opportunities and facilities for physical activity currently available to members of an organisation
Identify potential development projects to meet the needs of members
Describe financial, physical, and human resources required for the development of physical activity
Describes issues which impact on the viability of a selected development project
Course Assessment
Within each unit there are different assessment tasks that must be passed in order to achieve the full course award.
Unit 1 - Activity and Participation Opportunities in the Community
Portfolio of evidence from participation roles.
School and extra-curricular logbook.
Essay describing the benefits of participation in physical activity sessions to the individual and wider community.
Unit 2 - Investigate Activity Development Opportunities in an Organisation
Sports Development Report
Sports Development Project: Presentation / Poster
Progression
This course or units may provide progression to:
SQA Leadership Award
Higher National Certificates
Higher Education Degrees
Further study, employment and/or training