At the end of S2 Thurso High School pupils are given some choice over the courses they wish to study in S3, allowing them a timetable with a degree of personalisation.
Third year is an important part of a pupil's Broad General Education where many of the courses they choose will provide the prior learning needed to progress into National courses in the Senior Phase and will start to provide specialisation within the curricular areas in preparation for certification in S4. For example, instead of covering a general Science course as in S1 and S2, they can now choose from Physics, Chemistry and/or Biology. Attainment in S3 will decide the National level pupils will work at in S4.
In S3 all pupils will study English, and Mathematics, along with core subjects Religious Studies, Physical Education and Personal and Social Education.
They then have a choice of a further six options, ensuring as they make their choices that all of the remaining curricular areas are covered, to give the breadth required.