S5

In fifth year, students can select courses leading to the new National Qualifications at Intermediate and Higher grades, and unitary courses leading to National Certification by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. A student’s course can contain some or all of these types of qualifications.

Higher and Intermediate Courses run from June until the final examinations the following
May / June. Assessment is carried internally and externally under the instructions of the Scottish Qualifications Authority and results are published in August. Entrance qualifications for Higher Education courses at University or College are primarily based on Higher Grade passes.


Courses will be designed to ensure that students can progress from one level to the next at the end of each year. Normally the level studied in fifth year will follow on from the level attained in fourth year. The current option sheets for S5 and S6 are available in the "Download Area". It should be noted that these may be altered to accommodate any changes introduced in accordance with national and local authority guidelines.

The following table shows some of the possible pathways from S4 through to S5 and S6/

Full details are issued to students and parents along with our booklet “Pathways in the Upper School”. All students are then given an opportunity to gather information and consider their choices. Guidance and Careers staff are available for advice/consultation throughout this process which takes place in April.

In August, when the SQA results are known, a further opportunity is given to students to seek advice and make changes to their options. Consultation interviews are arranged for this purpose.

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