S2 into S3 Course Choice 2024-25

S2 Course Choice for S3 2024-25

For pupils in S2 choosing their subjects for the first time, it can be a daunting time, taking in all the information needed as they explore the possible pathways their lives may take.

While the ultimate decision as to what subjects a pupil takes should be for that pupil, it is vital that pupils work in partnership with their Teachers and their Principal Teacher of Guidance, but especially with their Parents/Carers.

Key Resources

SDS: Skills Development Scotland have a range of excellent resources to help young people explore their potential future pathways.  A link to this can be found here.

NPFS: National Paretns Forum for Scotland produce a range of guides for parents which aim to demmistify the Scottish Educational System.  These individal guides are collectivley refered to as their “Nutshell Series”.  The NPFS website can be found here
SCQF Framework: Understading how one level of study realtes to another, and how the current qualificatiosn compate to previous ones (that some parents may have sat) can be tricky.  The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework provides an interactive guide to assist with this which can be found here.

The Pupil Portal

Family learning is often defined as parents and children learning together’.  We have taken the conscious decision to share the information you will want to know, and that our young people need to know about the subject choice process within a ‘portal’.  Pupils access this via Glow (the Scottish Schools Digital Intranet).  The portal is designed to be viewed on a tablet, laptop or desktop computer although some pupils may choose to use it on a mobile phone.  We hope that be working through the portal together young people and their parents can both deepen their understanding about this important stage as well as providing the school with the well considered and wise information around choices and aspirations for the future.

To access this pupil portal pupils simply click onto the Glow tile that looks like this…

We want pupils to work through the contents of this portal with their parents, discussing the content together, exploring possible pathways, and ultimately submitting their subject choices with the support and blessing of their parents and carers.

At any stage of the process should your child have any questions they should speak to their PTG (Principal Teacher of Guidance).

At any stage, parents or carers who have questions should contact the school office and the most appropriate person to respond will be in touch as soon as we are able.

As a reference, parents/carers may find the following key dates/information useful.

Tuesday 9 January 2024 – Mock Choice process begins (Pupil Assembly)
By looking at what pupils might like to study if there were no constraints, we can design a column structure which will be tailored to the particular wishes of our pupils.  While we understand that there may be differences between this initial information and the final choices pupils make, by including this stage it permits us to design the column structure around the hopes and aspirations of our pupils.  It is therefore important that your child engages with this early on.

Monday 29 January 2024 – S2 Information Evening 5-6pm (Optional Questions till 7pm)
This information evening is for parents and S2 pupils and will explain the options process, how we use the portal, and some of the bigger issues pupils should consider when making choices.  It will include input from Skills Development Scotland and Senior Pupils with opportunities to ask both general questions as well as speaking to your child’s PTG individually .  Advance and early booking is essential for this event.

Tuesday 6 February 2024 – S2 Parents Evening

The S2 Parents Evening (in person) is an opportunity to get an update on progress in different curricular areas and explore with teachers their recommendations for progression pathways and, therefore, for subject choice.

Thursday 8 February 2024 – Inverurie Careers Event
The Inverurie Campus Careers event will see over 50 ‘stalls’ representing employers, industries, education providers and pathways that are available to our pupils. It is highly recommended that pupils considering their future pathways take advantage and attend this event.  We would encourage parents and their young people to attend as this is an excellent opportunity for family learning (learning together).

Monday 12 February 2024 – S3 Options Deadline

Options should be submitted by this date using the form within this portal. Pupils should complete this task jointly with their parents.  The choices allocated may be affected for pupils that fail to meet this deadline.

Monday 16 February 2024 – PTG Sign Off

Options should be submitted by the 12 Feb so that PTGs can ensure all pupils submitted options have been signed off by the 16th.

For pupils who for a variety of reasons do not currently attend ‘in person leaning’ on campus, we would still welcome these pupils engaging with the options process.  However, note that later in the process when pupils are allocated to their classes, in the event of a class being oversubscribed places are not reserved for pupils who do not attend.  This does not however apply to pupils who are on reduced timetables.