Learner Pathways (Senior Phase) - Key Information

Introduction

A learning pathway is a learner’s journey through education and learning. Learning pathways can help to map out the courses and qualifications that help to achieve personal objectives and deliver skills and knowledge. 

During Term 3, pupils in S4 and S5 will be asked to start thinking about making choices to help them on their journey within education and beyond. We aim to provide relevant information to pupils and their parents / carers to help make informed decisions. 

Curricular pathways interviews will take place from week commencing Monday 16th February by House Teams and Guidance Teachers. This process will be supported by input during PSE classes (for S4 pupils), as well as the Senior Phase Course Choice Information Evening. 

Should I stay at school? 

The most important decision to be taken at this stage is whether or not your future educational needs will be best met at school. If you decide to remain at school you will be expected to study a full timetable until the end of session and demonstrate a clear commitment to the subjects you have selected. This includes meeting deadlines, completing homework and coursework, and attending school regularly and on time.

If you decide to leave school you should explore the various options which are available to you – further education, higher education, a modern apprenticeship, employment or training. Your Guidance Teacher will help provide information and support and can put you in touch with the school’s career advisors.

Every pupil in S4 and S5 will receive an interview with a member of staff to discuss their future place and, if appropriate, complete a subject choice form. Further information on available courses within Dunfermline High School can be found via the links at the bottom of the page.

Timeline

A general timeline of the S4 and S5 course choice process can be found below:

General Advice

Pupils should read the course descriptions carefully and ensure they are familiar with the course content before selecting a particular course. Pupils will be actively encouraged to take the subjects/courses in which they have the greatest chance of success. Consideration should be given before making choices, as dropping a subject is not possible. To help support this, we will provide each pupil with individual recommendations to maximise their attainment potential.

Pupils will be expected to have a full timetable and continue with this for the duration of the session.  Any relevant entry criteria for courses in S5 and S6 will be included in each course descriptor. Pupils must ensure their current working grade, which is based on assessment data, meets the minimum entry requirements when making their choices.

Pupils will be given the opportunity to make changes to subject choices following the publication of SQA results in August, but this will be subject to spaces being available in classes.

Pupils in S6 who are considering going to University are encouraged to study related subjects at Advanced Higher level but it is generally not advisable to choose a subject at Advanced Higher unless it is directly related to a future course of study. In this situation, it would be better to study further subjects at Higher.

Only S6 pupils studying a combination of subjects at Higher and at least one subject at Advanced Higher, will be entitled to a maximum of one column of study. Pupils will be required to produce a plan for their study periods when they do not have a timetabled class. This may involve studying in departments, voluntary work in the school or work placements.

It is also generally not recommended to try to improve the grade achieved in a subject passed in S5, unless a university specifically asks for this.

In addition to the course choices, all S5 and S6 pupils will be required to choose a wider achievement option to follow on a Monday afternoon. 

Pupils looking to move on to university in the future should be aiming to secure as many Higher passes as possible in S5. Please check this carefully when deciding on your senior phase Curriculum Pathway.

Please note that no course can be guaranteed - sometimes both pupils and school have to make difficult decisions based on a range of factors. 

Further Information

An overview of learner pathways in each subject area can be found here.

Guidance on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework can be found here.