s4 parents national qualifications tuesday 29 th september 2015

S4 Parents National Qualifications

Tuesday 29th September 2015

Qualification Framework

Old System Revised System Curriculum for Excellence

1/2 Access 1 and 2 Access 1 and 2 National 1/2 1/2

3 Foundation S Grade Access 3 National 3 3

4 General S Grade Intermediate 1 National 4 4

5 Credit S Grade Intermediate 2 National 5 5

6 Higher Higher Higher 6

7 Advanced Higher Advanced Higher Advanced Higher 7

Progression Routes

For pupils the progression can be…

N4 > N5 > H > AH

However there will be subjects you can start in S5 and S6 at N5 or Higher with no previous Senior Phase study.

Assessment in the New Qualifications

National 1/2/3/4 are entirely internally assessed. Mostly 3 units plus a value added task. They are pass/fail. NO EXTERNAL EXAMINATION.

National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher have mostly 3 internally assessed units and an external examination. Graded A to D, with A, B and C being considered passes. EXTERNAL EXAMINATION.

Estimates Jan/Feb. 2016 Estimates run from Thursday 28th January until

Wednesday 10th February. As not all subjects levels have external

examinations some subjects have no estimates. Study leave for S4 is for the day of the

examination and the day before unless it is a Monday examination.

Other than that pupils should attend normal classes.

Art, Design and Technology Courses

Art &Design

Course Units : Expressive Folio 40%& Assessment Design Folio 40%

Exam 20%

Course ethos: Individual, skill focused learning.Imagining, Refining, Developing and CreatingKeeping to set deadlines and responding to feedbackCommenting critically on current and historical Artists and their work

Design &Manufacture

Course Units: Design Unit (Desk Tidy)Manufacture Unit (Wee Clock)

Course Assessment: Design Folio 30%Manufacture 30%Exam 40%

Course ethos: Modern and traditional manufactureChallenging and engaging real world design situationsProblem solving, analysis and critical reflectionWorking as a team and individually

GraphicCommunication

Course Units: Childrens ToyCinema 3D SpexCAD & DPT (Wall Display)

Course Assessment: Design Assignment 50%Exam 50%

Course ethos: Mix of traditional and digital Graphic DesignScenario focussed design challengesBroad range of skills – CAD, Media, sketching/drawing & packagingGraphic Design analysis, problem solving and creative thinking

PracticalWoodworking

Course Units: Flat Frame (Mirror)Machining and Finishing (Tool Box)Carcass Construction (Shelving)

Course Assessment: Practical Activity 100%

Course ethos: Developing Skills in Communication, Numeracy & Working with othersTaking pride in your work showing attention to detailSolving construction and craft problems with safetyPreparing for industry and the world of work

How Qualifications Work…

History

Internally

marked

Code National 3 National 4 National 5 Higher

H205 Scottish Scottish Scottish Scottish

H20C

British British British British

H20D

European and world

European and world

European and world

European and world

H20E History Assignment

Externally

Marked

Exam and Assignment

Exam and Assignment

• Generally 3 unitsPlus• For National 4 : An assignment/Test• For National 5 and Higher an external exam and/or an assignment These additional elements assess how the student can draw on, extend and

apply the course work as well as assessing their Knowledge and understanding

Recognising Positive Achievement

What happens if a pupil does not get an award in the level because they have not passed an element at that level.

Here a History pupil has…..

Not passed all the units at National 5 and so has no award in the National 5 course.Completed and passed the missing unit at National 4 AND Passed the History Assignment at National 4 The pupil is awarded a National 4 Pass.

Unit Level Result

Scottish National 5 Pass

BritishNational 5National 4

FailPass

European and world

National 5 Pass

History Assignment

National 4 Pass

Course AwardNational

4Pass

Recognising Positive AchievementWhat if I Fail the Exam?

An English pupil has Passed the units but has no award in the National 5 external assessment

If they have completed and passed the National 4 English Assignment ANDthe National 4 or 5 Literacy

The pupil is awarded a Pass at National 4.

Unit Level Result

Analysis and Evaluation

National 5 Pass

Creation and Production

National 5 Pass

External Assessment

National 5No

Award

LiteracyNational

4 or 5Pass

English Assignment

National 4 Pass

Course AwardNational

4Pass

Note : it may be that work done for National 5 can be assessed to award the required Passes

Assessment in Science

National 5

Overall Grade based on…

“Traditional Paper” 80 marks

“Assignment” 20 marks


National 5 …but to achieve a course award, pupils

must PASS ALL following internal elements

“Outcome 1” practical and write-up (1 only)“Outcome 2” Knowledge and Understanding (2.1) & Problem Solving (2.2)

Assessment in Science Pupil Name _____________________________ Date

_________________

National 5 Assessment Task 1 CHECKLIST

The following should be included, as appropriate: Pupil Teacher

1.1 Planning an Experiment

a Write an aim (a clear statement of what you are trying to do in this experiment/ practical investigation).

b Name the independent and dependent variables.

c Name the relevant variable(s) to be kept constant.

d A list of equipment/ materials you will use.

e A labelled diagram of the experimental arrangement

f A description of how you will carry out your experiment/ practical investigation (including saf ety where appropriate).

g State what was observed or measured and how the measurements were made.

1.2 Following procedures Safely.

You should carry out your experiment/ practical investigation saf ely.

1.3 Making and recording observations/measurements accurately.

You should record your observations/measurements in an appropriate way.

1.4 Presenting results in an appropriate format.

a

Process/ analyse the results and present your findings in an appropriate f ormat. This may be a table, line graph, chart, key, diagram, flow chart or summary. Graphs should be plotted on squared graph paper.

b Use appropriate SI units and standard abbreviations.

1.5 Drawing Valid Conclusions

Link the results to the aim.

1.6 Evaluating Experimental procedures

Evaluate your experimental procedures (by considering;, eff ectiveness of procedures; control of variables; limitations of equipment; possible sources of error). Your evaluation should include at least one possible improvements

Outcome 1


Forename

/ 11 / 10 / 8 / 11 / 10

2.1 P/ F 2.1 P/ F 2.1 P/ F 2.1 P/ F 2.1 P/ F 2.1 P/ F a b c d e f g a b

Pupil A 7 P 3 F 5 P 6 P U1 U1 U1 U2 P U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 P

Pupil B 5 F 3 F 6 P 7 P U2 U1 U2 U3 P U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 P

Pupil C 6 P 5 P 7 P U1 U2 TBC TBC F U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 P

Pupil D 8 P 5 P 10 P U1 U2 U1 U1 P U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 U1 TBC TBC F

1.6

Test 2 Test 1

KU

1.2

Fill in when pupil met criteria and state where

1.1 1.4

P/ F1.3 1.5

Passed Where?

KU

Process

Analyse

Test 1

KU

Test 2 Test 1

KU

Names

Outcome 2 Outcome 1

Test 2

Chemistry in SocietyChemical Changes &

Structure

M

i

d

U

n

i

KU

Nature's Chemistry

M

i

d

U

n

i

Problem Solving 2.2

Predict

Select

KU

• Pupil A gains a course award• Pupil B cannot gain course award…Passes Natures Chemistry and

Chemistry in Society• Pupil C cannot gain course award…and passes no units• Pupil C cannot gain course award…and passes no units


National 4

No final exam…pass or fail

…but to achieve a course award, pupils must PASS ALL following internal elements

“Outcome 1” practical and write-up (1 only)“Outcome 2” Knowledge and Understanding (2.1) in all 3 units Short Report (2.2 &2.3) in 1 unit Problem Solving (2.4) in one unitA Fourth “Added Value” unit (like the Nat 5 assignment but marked internally

Exceptional Circumstances

This for candidates who…Have been unable to attend an exam through illness or some other valid reason Or…Whose performance has been fundamentally affected due to a valid reason out-with their controlExceptional circumstances include…Bereavement and serious illness.Minor ailments, requests for candidates who want to go on holiday or attend weddings or festivals are not considered as exceptional circumstances.

The service operates DURING the exams before the exam results are sent out.If the school believes that a candidate is likely to have been affected by exceptional circumstances, we must inform SQA within 10 working days of the exam. The school then must submit alternative evidence in support of the candidate. If we have no evidence we cannot ask for this. The decision to submit a request will be made by the Head Teacher/Principal. The candidate’s final award will be decided by SQA, however it may not be the grade that was estimated by the school.



What does it mean for Pupils and parentsIf a pupil is ill and cannot attend an exam

or…If the pupil feels their performance has been fundamentally affected due to a VALID reason out-with their control

Then we need to know on the day of the exam so we can consider if exceptional circumstances are warranted.

Post Results Service

Following the exams there are now No AppealsIf the school is concerned about a candidates mark then we can ask for aClerical Check : This makes sure all the marks have been entered and totalled and nothing is missing.And A Marking Review: The marking is reviewed to ensure it is in line with the national standard.


The service should only be used where…There is a SIGNIFICANT difference in the candidates performance from that predicted. For example C instead of A or No award when a B.The school considers they have significant evidence to show that there may have been an error.

Pupils/Parents can ask about a review but it is ultimately the school’s decision.


Please note…

If the review is unsuccessful the school is charged for the review.

Results can go DOWN as well as UP!

s4 parents national qualifications tuesday 29 th september 2015

Documents