Broad General Education (S1-3)
Structure of The Broad General Education
The curriculum at this stage of learning is structured around 8 Curricular Areas:
- Expressive Arts
- Religious & Moral Education
- Health & Wellbeing
- Sciences
- Languages (English & Modern Languages) & Literacy
- Social Studies
- Mathematics & Numeracy
- Technologies
Within S1 and S2 pupils will study within all the curricular areas.
In S3 there will be more opportunities for personalisation and choice with additional options for more in depth study within curricular areas during S3.
Pathways In The Broad General Curriculum
The following information is available to download in PDF format below:
The S3 Experience
Our S3 experiences are designed to ensure effective transition to the Senior Phase (S4-S6). These draw upon:
⬧ Key Level 3 Experiences and outcomes not covered in S1 and S2.
⬧ Relevant Level 4 Experiences and outcomes
⬧ Appropriate elements of National 4 and 5 courses to assist pupils to make a smooth transition into appropriate course in the Senior Phase.
S3 is a preparation for transition into the Senior Phase. Progress in S3 assists us in supporting young people to make curricular choices in S4 where they will be likely to gain their best academic outcomes.
Building a detailed profile of each pupil through S1-S3 maximises achievement in S4 and allows us to offer reliable advice on progression to S5.
Senior Phase
Pupils progress to the National Qualifications completing these in the summer term of S4. These courses draw on and build on the curriculum experiences and outcomes as appropriate.
Pupils could follow any one of the following pathways depending on their rate of progress to the end of S3:
⬧ Complete National 3 Units
⬧ Complete N4 Units and the N4 Added Value Unit to gain the N4 course award
⬧ Complete the N5 course
We aim to provide each pupil with advice on their progression into appropriate courses in S4 based on how well each pupil is coping with the demands of their S3 programme of study.
The reports and course choice advice offered in March of S3 form part of that guidance.
Progress through the Broad General Education
The following information offers some insight into where pupils are now and where they might be by the end of S4.
On average it takes about 9 months for a pupil to move from the making early progress at a level to progressing well and a further 9 months to level achieved. Two pupils who are both assessed as progressing well at level 3 can be several months apart in their progress.
The following diagram shows the likely progression through the Broad General Education for pupils who are likely to be successful at National 5 in S4 and Highers in S5.
By February of S3
⬧ Strong candidates for 4 or 5 Highers are highly likely to be progressing well or have achieved level 4 in all of their core subjects by February of S3 and certainly by the end of S3.
⬧ Pupils working at level 3 in a core subject would not normally progress to National 5 in S4 or Higher in S5.
⬧ A pupil who is making early progress at level 3 may take 18 months to become secure. National 4 then becomes a more likely progression route in S4 rather than National 5 in S4.
The following table summarises the recommended progression routes for young people from S3 into the Senior Phase:
By February of S3
⬧ Strong candidates for 4 or 5 Highers are highly likely to be progressing well or have achieved level 4 in all of their core subjects by February of S3 and certainly by the end of S3.
⬧ Pupils working at level 3 in a core subject would not normally progress to National 5 in S4 or Higher in S5.
⬧ A pupil who is making early progress at level 3 may take 18 months to become secure. National 4 then becomes a more likely progression route in S4 rather than National 5 in S4.
The following table summarises the recommended progression routes for young people from S3 into the Senior Phase:
| Broad General Education Progress | Recommended Progression into Senior Phase |
|---|---|
Level 2 Achieved | National 3 |
Level 3 Making early progress | National 3 |
Level 3 Progressing well | National 4 |
Level 3 Achieved | National 4 |
Level 4 Making early progress | National 4 |
Level 4 Progressing well | National 5 |
Level 4 Achieved | National 5 |