S3 Pupil Choice

Tuesday 3rd February 2026

4pm

5pm

6pm

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Welcome

2026 – Some context

• 2018-19 ‘normal’ (?)
• 2019-20 inferred attainment
• 2020-21 demonstrated attainment
• 2021-22 – formal assessments, modifications, revision support
• 2022-23 – qualification amendments and formal assessments
• 2023-24 – all modifications removed; increased content and assessments, ‘appeals’ process not yet published
• 2024-25 – ‘normal’……..
• 2025-26 – e.g. question papers National 5 qualifications in the subjects of practical cake craft and practical woodworking – focus on thr practical output.
• The SQA is now Qualifications Scotland.
• Change in engagement, improved communication and learner interest going forward.
• Decisions to be made on how qualifications, and their assessment (type or duration), will or will not alter

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• Learning and Teaching of, and in, the subjects, important knowledge ,and experiences, continues – the substance of a subject does not change!

Scottish Credits & Qualifications Framework

��S4–S6 The Senior Phase

Progression Routes

What does Assessment look like to gain qualifications?

• National 2/3/4 are entirely internally assessed. 3 units plus, for National 4, a ‘value added’ task. They are pass/fail.
• This is similar for NPA and Foundation Apprenticeships

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• National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher an external examination and some have coursework. �Graded A to D, with A, B and C being passes; D is classed as an award.

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How to Choose

How Not to Choose

• I like/dislike that teacher…

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• My pal is doing that so I will as well, so I am in their class.

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• My brother/sister/parent liked that subject.

Finding Out About Courses

• School website….
• www.westhillacademy.aberdeenshire.sch.uk

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Finding Out About Careers

• We are now, in S3, beginning to think about ‘what happens next’? It is quite a thought…

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• Many supports within and across the school

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• Also:-�
• www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ - In PSE with Guidance and also SDS partners

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• https://www.planitplus.net/

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• www.ucas.com�
• The Individual College/University websites – Each is a separate business and often each give different advice and have different requirements

Planning for the Future: Next Steps

• Automotive Maintenance & Repair Principles Level 2 (SCQF Level 5) - NESCol
• Need National 4 in Maths, English or a technical subject.�
• Introduction to Beauty Therapy (VRQ Level 1 Diploma) - NESCol
• Applicants need National 4 qualifications, including English. Be able to demonstrate the ability to develop and learn essential skills. Designated uniform in all practical classes and closed in shoes. No jewellery can be worn in practical classes

Planning for the Future: Next Steps

• Foundation Apprenticeship - Aberdeenshire
• Engineering SCQF Level 6
• This course is suited to pupils who expect to continue at school until the end of S6 and who are on track to achieve passes in related National 5 awards in S4.  Applicants should be expecting to achieve an A or B pass in N5 Maths and will be expected to work towards Higher Maths in S5 or S6.  Pupils would benefit from studying Higher Physics during S5 or S6.
• Foundation Apprenticeship�Social Services and Healthcare -Aberdeenshire�SCQF Level 6
• Applicants should be expecting to achieve a pass in N5 English.  
• Applicants should consider which Highers will be required alongside the Foundation Apprenticeship to support future progression pathways e.g. Nursing or Medicine

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Planning for the Future: Next Steps

• HNC Childhood Practice – North East Scotland College - NESCol
• Applicants should have two Highers (one preferably English)
• Or: Level 6 FA Social Services: Children and young people – plus Higher English and N5 Maths/Apps
• Evidence that applicants have a minimum of 60 hours work experience in an Early Years setting. PVG disclosure will be required.

• HNC Animal Care - Scotland’s Rural College-SRUC
• Two Highers at CC to include 2 of the following Maths, English, a science subject.

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• National 5 (A-C) to include English, Maths and Biology.

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• Minimum of one week of work experience in the industry.
• HND Textiles - NESCol
• Typical applicants will be expected to have a minimum of two Higher passes - one of which should be Higher Art and preferably English.

Planning for the Future: Next Steps

• Medicine – MBChB - University of Glasgow

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• AAAAB Higher in S5 + BB Advanced Higher in S6
• Additional requirements: Higher Chemistry, Biology and Physics or Mathematics. National 5 English at grade B. UCAT (www.ucat.ac.uk for more information). Interview. Offers conditional on S6 performance.
• Re-sits or additional time to sit qualifications is not permitted. The required grades and subjects must be obtained at one sitting and at the first attempt. We do not accept a mix of qualifications undertaken at the same level.
• Higher Application of Maths cannot be considered in lieu of having Higher Mathematics or Physics. Highers taken in S4 will not be considered towards meeting the Higher S5 grade requirements.

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• Work experience in a hospital or general practice is not required, but we do expect candidates to have explored the realities of a career in medicine.
• Successful applicants are required to undertake satisfactory health and police checks before commencing Medicine

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• You may be invited to attend an interview. Candidates receiving offers are those who not only achieve the academic standards required but who also show they have seriously considered the implications of a medical career and who display the characteristics desirable in a future doctor, as well as demonstrating a commitment, motivation and enthusiasm for a medical career. Given the number of applications we receive which meet minimum entry requirements, we are unfortunately not able to interview all candidates.

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• As a guide, they normally interview approximately 850 applicants.

Planning for the Future: Next Steps

• Chemical Engineering - MEng - Heriot Watt University
• Highers AAAB (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry and Maths with one at A.
• Minimum* Highers BBBC (over two sittings). Must include Chemistry and Maths at B.under our Fair Access Policy, we will relax our standard entry requirements for some Scottish and Rest of UK status students depending on their circumstances. Our minimum requirements will apply if you:

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• live in an area within the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation lowest 20% (SIMD20) or POLAR4 Quintile 1 regions (RUK)
• or are care experienced.

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• Arts & Social Sciences – MA - University of Aberdeen
• Entry requirements for the MA are rarely subject-specific: we are more interested in your overall ability than in the precise content of your pre-university studies.
• National 5 at A, B C or S at levels 1, 2 or 3 in English
• Minimum of 4H at AABB or 3AH at BBB.
• Those seeking to qualify over two sittings must normally get H at BBB at first sitting.

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• For some degrees a specific subject is required, for example �National 5 Mathematics needed for entry to Accountancy, Economics, Finance and for Sport and Exercise Science. - Robert Gordon University

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The Choice ‘Form’

This table shows the subjects on offer and the level of exam available in the classes we will be running.

All pupils will do English and Mathematics as well as their four choices.

Where a subject is oversubscribed, priority will be given to pupils who require the subject for their future career plans.

Please select the level of subject based on the teacher’s advice in the reports. For example, in Science we have identified the pupils who we feel are best placed in National 4 rather than National 5. Some subjects such as Accounting are only on offer at one level due to the SQA course design.

Please remember that if you select National 5 and do not pass the final assessment than you will get NO AWARD for that subject.

Note that whatever level you choose could change as the final level of examination for each pupil will be decided based on the work done through fourth year.

Although you are not selecting Highers, the final column is included to allow for consideration beyond S4.

How to Complete the Form

You will need to logon as individual pupil through GLOW to access the Form – then, hopefully the questions are straightforward.

Choosing the level

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• Where the subject has been studied in S3 the teachers have recommended a level for S4 in the report.�
• School presentation policy is to suggest National 5 for any pupil where we feel there is a possibility of achieving at least a D award.
• Applications of Mathematics is now approved for entry to Primary Teaching, some Nursing Degrees and The university of Edinburgh state that it is an ‘Approved Science’ – unless specifically requiring N5 Mathematics�

Exceptions

• Additional Support
• If a pupil is identified as needing additional support then this becomes one of the 4 choices.
• This applies to most pupils who have attended small groups with a Learning Support teacher in S3.
• Pupils should know if it applies to them – review meetings have been undertaken.
• If anyone is unsure please contact Guidance Staff.

Please Note

• It is hoped that we will be able to provide the majority of pupils with their first four choices.
• However, we cannot guarantee that every combination of courses will be possible or that every course listed above will run. This will depend on the numbers opting for the course, timetabling and available subject specialist staffing.