Learner Pathways

This section explains the course specialisation process

S2 will make their specialisation choices for S3 in January

S3 will make their specialisation choices for S4 in February

For both S2 and S3 cohorts there will be:

PSE lessons, Tracking Reports, Parents' Evening, discussion with parents/ carers, teachers and a 1-1 interview with our Careers Advisor (S2). Finally, there will be a 1-1 meeting with a member of the school leadership team to finalise your specialisation choices.

This allows learners to specialise in areas of the curriculum which they have an interest in or aspire to move onto a career in. It allows for specialisation in S3 before moving to the Senior Phase in S4.

The subjects which are picked for S3 will have an impact on what options are available in the Senior Phase so it is important to choose subjects carefully that match skills, interests and abilities.

The subjects continued into S4 will have an impact on what option are available in S5-6 so it is important to carefully consider which subjects you will be continuing with.

An overview of the curricular journey at Sinclair Academy

In S3, students must still study subjects within all curricular areas of the BGE as outlined below.

This is important as an over-emphasis in 1 curricular area would mean that choice and progression at the Senior Phase could become unnecessarily limited.

Some subjects are compulsory

English
Maths
Religious Education
Physical Education
Personal and Social Education

The subject options available...

This allows pupils to specialise in their chosen areas or retain a breadth across learning. Pupils can also choose SQA PE in addition to Core PE, giving 5 periods of PE per week. Each of the options will be allocated 3 periods per week, alongside 4 periods of both English and Maths and 1 period for Wider Achievement.

How do I choose my options?

It will be helpful to look at this table below. You would choose one subject from each column.

Time allocations will be as follows:

It is often helpful to look ahead and then work backwards with subject choice so S4 times are as follows and progression from S3-4 is key in terms of consistency of approach. In S4, subjects 1-5 must be from subjects undertaken in S3 as this will provide your best chances of success.