Curriculum

The Nicolson Institute (Àrd-sgoil MhicNeacail) Curriculum Structure 

Broad General Education

Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) aims to help prepare children and young people with the knowledge and skills they need in a fast-changing world. As part of Curriculum for Excellence, all children throughout the Broad General Education (BGE) will receive a rounded education in all 8 curricular areas. Curriculum for Excellence is all about bringing real life into the classroom and taking lessons beyond it. In line with their CfE entitlement, the 8 curricular areas pupils learn in are;

·         Expressive Arts

·         Health & Wellbeing

·         Languages

·         Numeracy & Mathematics

·         Religious & Moral Education

·         Sciences

·         Social Studies

·         Technologies

There is also a focus on developing literacy and numeracy skills across every subject area as well as Skills for Learning, Life and Work as young people prepare for their adult lives. A menu of Curriculum Enrichment courses (S2 Electives) is devised to enhance pupil personalisation and choice, provide opportunities for taster sessions or to study and develop skills in curricular areas in greater depth. This will also provide additional opportunities for departments, the local college and partner agencies to engage with young people in our school. Pupils undertake 2 Elective courses (approximately 18 weeks per course) during the session.

In addition, learning takes place in the following ways:

•        Inter-disciplinary experiences (working across a range of subjects to link learning)

•        Learning through the ethos and life of the school

•        Opportunities for personal achievement

Gaelic Medium Education in the BGE

In BGE aspects of all 8 curricular areas are delivered through the medium of Gaelic with classes being delivered in Maths, Art, Science, Geography, History, Modern Studies, Gàidhlig, Home Economics, Technical, Religious Education, S2 Electives and Wider Achievement.

Preparing for Senior Phase

Towards the end of S2 and in preparation for S3, pupils will have the opportunity for personalisation and choice and will choose 6 subjects from the curricular areas in addition to English, Maths, Physical Education and Religious Education. These subjects will consolidate learning in the BGE and will prepare pupils with the knowledge and skills they need for the senior phase. 

Senior Phase Curriculum (S4-S6)

The Senior Phase offers opportunity for specialisation leading to qualifications. Young people will have a wide range of opportunities to experience learning and achieve qualifications to the highest possible level during their senior phase.

In S4 (Senior Phase 1), it is expected that pupils will specialise in the 7 strongest subjects from those studied in S3 for presentation at National Qualifications. Pupils wishing to choose a Foundation Apprenticeship in S4, or particular applied learning courses would complete Senior Phase 2: Subject Options form.

In S5 (Senior Phase 2), pupils will have the option to choose their “Best 5”, or a combination of school based, college courses and/ or Foundation Apprenticeships. In S6 (Senior Phase 3), pupils may choose 5 subjects as per S5 or 4 subjects and wider achievement option/ YASS modules. This will allow pupils to study National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses or a combination of school based and college & vocational options. 

Gaelic Medium Education in the Senior Phase

In the Senior phase pupils have the opportunity and are encouraged to continue Gaelic Medium Education in History, Modern Studies and Gàidhlig. Core RE and Wider Achievement classes will also be delivered through the medium of Gaelic.

Pupil Support Programme

There is a programme of pupil support to assist pupils and their parents and carers with course choices and career pathways. The pupil support programme seeks to advise pupils about:

• The range of courses available

• The pupil’s own aptitudes, interests, strengths and weaknesses

 • The importance of individual subjects

 • Entrance qualifications & career opportunities

In advising pupils about course choices, we adhere to national guidelines and ensure that pupil choices result in their best chance of success. Parents are involved at all times in the Options process. In collaboration with the Scottish Qualifications Agency (SQA), we will assess National 1-4 qualifications.

Individual courses at National 1-4 levels will not be graded but marked overall as pass or fail. Courses at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels will continue to include work assessed by the school, but for these qualifications, students will also have to pass an additional assessment (usually a question paper or assignment) which will be marked externally by SQA.

As an inclusive school, we aim to meet the needs of all pupils. We have strong partnerships with local colleges, universities and employers. It is extremely important that senior students set challenging and realistic targets. To that end, we offer a rigorous options programme to support and inform student choice. Opportunities for personal development continue within and beyond the taught curriculum. S6 in particular offers senior pupils a range of opportunities to build leadership, communication and team working skills through involvement in a wide range of school and community events. Encouraging excellence is central to our aspirations and expectations for all young people. We also work closely with colleagues from Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

We continue to review the curriculum each year and aim to maintain a relevant and interesting range of subjects and opportunities for all students, from S1 to S6. We created our curriculum rationale, which outlines the purpose of the school’s curriculum and explains what we are trying to do for all the young people who attend The Nicolson Institute.

 Learner Pathways are a key element of Scotland’s curriculum design

Through the curriculum we provide opportunities for all young people to experience the key principles of Curriculum for Excellence:

· Challenge and Enjoyment · Depth · Coherence

· Progression · Breadth · Relevance

· Personalisation and Choice

What about the development of skills for learning, life and work?

“Every child and young person is entitled to develop skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work, with a continuous focus on literacy & numeracy and health & wellbeing.”

(Building the Curriculum 3: A Framework for Learning and Teaching)

It is important to acknowledge that there is no right or wrong pathway through the senior phase and no one route is better than another. The best pathway is the one that is most appropriate to the individual depending upon their skills, abilities and career desires. The table below shows some of the routes available: