1. Kilwinning Academy S5/6 News
Nov 2010
Welcome
to our Senior
Curriculum Bulletin English
Each year we publish curriculum
bulletins to give parents more The English course involves the
information about how to improve the study of Literature (short stories,
novels, poems, plays) and Language (developing skills
education of their youngsters and how to in both reading and writing).
provide more homework support as they
students began to prepare for SQA exams. SQA examination in May)an external assessment (the
At each level, there will be
and internal assessments
Many students find the step up from S4 (held during class time).
into S5/6 quite challenging and we hope The SQA exam has two papers: Close Reading and
that families with students in the Critical Essay.
senior phase of their education
To gain a complete award (graded A, B, C or D), a
will find it helpful and candidate must have gained an award in the examination and
informative. must also have gained a pass in each of the following three
Units:
Maths
♦ Language Study (Internal assessment of Close Reading and Writing)
There are 4
courses offered in ♦ Literary Study (Internal assessment of unseen Textual Analysis – a short
the senior year for piece of prose, poetry or drama with questions)
Maths. These are
Intermediate 1 and ♦ Personal Study (Internal assessment of a critical essay on a text of your
2, Higher and own choosing).
Advanced Higher.
All courses are The first Unit Assessment you are likely to complete is Personal Study.
split into 3 units. You should discuss appropriate texts with your teacher before the summer
holiday, so that you can familiarise yourself with the text before school
Unit assessments begins again in August.
are carried out
during October, January and March.
This year some of our 5th year pupils
have been fast tracked and are Religious Studies
therefore starting their second year Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies is offered at
on the Higher or Intermediate 2 two levels this session: Intermediate 2 and Higher. Units
courses. The timing of the unit have been chosen to allow both levels to be taught
together which means that it is possible for pupils to
assessments for these pupils will move between levels depending on progress and ability.
differ. Pupils should ensure that they Throughout the course there are assessments (‘NABS’)
listen carefully for the dates of these which require to be passed to permit success in the final exam. During the
assessments. course we examine a world religion (Christianity), the nature of morality
focusing on medical ethics (Euthanasia and Treatment of Embryos), and
Supported study is offered after science and religion focusing on how everything came into being (‘Big
school for those pupils who are Bang’, evolution, 6 day creation). Teaching and learning takes places
taking Higher, however, pupils on all using a wide variety of techniques including drama, debate, textual
courses will get additional help analysis, discussion, carouseling, video documentary, as well as reading
and writing. Homework is set regularly: long and short essay questions,
where required. revision and preparation tasks.
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2. Pupils are currently studying the
first Unit of their courses as Chemistry
detailed below: The senior
courses have a
Intermediate 2: Living Cells, lot of course
H i g h e r : C e l l B i o l o g y, content and
Advanced Higher: Cell and Molecular Biology contain practical
work that is
It is a requirement of S5/6 Biology courses at all levels that pupils assessed on a
undertake a practical activity and complete a full experimental write up regular basis.
based on this activity. Pupils must also sit and pass an assessment at the C o n s e q u e n t l y,
end of each unit of work (the NAB test). Pupils cannot pass the final pupils need to
exam unless they have met both these requirements. Good attendance is develop good study habits right from
particularly important in S5/6 to avoid missing any of these the start of term and regular
Assessments. attendance is particularly important to
avoid missing any of these
Pupils at all levels can expect to have weekly homework. Homework assessments. They have been shown
schedules are issued at the start of each unit so pupils know exactly what many revision techniques and should
homework has to be completed and the dates it is due. be using a variety of strategies to aid
their revision. Past papers are a good
In addition to regular set homework, pupils at senior levels are expected source of questions to improve exam
to spend a significant amount of time studying their notes, summary technique and are available from
sheets and generally researching course topics. This should be done good bookshops and online. A
right from the start of the course and not just prior to the exam! number of websites are available for
Chemistry revision.
Physics Among the best are BBC Bitesize
In Higher Physics we look at three units: Mechanics Revision at www.bbc.co.uk/education/
and properties of matter, electricity and electronics, bitesize and Evans2chemweb at
and radiation and matter. To gain a course award a www.evans2chemweb.co.uk.
student must pass 3 unit tests (one per unit), 3 pieces
of coursework and a final exam. This may sound Higher and Advanced Higher pupils
daunting but the Unit tests and coursework are will also be issued with passwords for
hurdles which will be cleared by any student who is the Scholar program of course
working effectively. At Intermediate 2 level there materials.
are 4 units: mechanics and heat, electricity and
electronics, waves and optics, and radioactivity. The course is assessed by Students studying Advanced Higher
a combination of internal assessment and an external examination, set and Chemistry will start the year studying
marked by the SQA. Electronic structure and the periodic
Table and this has now been
SQA Modules in Electronics at Intermediate 1 and 2 involve studying completed and assessed. Unit 2 will
three units: introduction to electronic systems, components & assembly cover the Principles of Chemical
techniques, and combinational logic. The Electronics course is a mix of Reactions and will be completed and
mainly practical work with some theory and students sit assessments assessed by Christmas. At this time
throughout as sections are completed. The course is self paced, so students will undertake a research
students can negotiate the material at a rate to suit their own learning and project of their own choosing which
experience. As it is modular there is no final exam - all assessments are will be submitted to the SQA for
carried out in class. marking in March. The final Unit is
Organic Chemistry.
Intermediate 2 and Higher Chemistry
Geography pupils also follow a 3 unit scheme of
All senior classes in the Geography department are work. Deadlines for assessments are
now well under way with their course work. The the October holiday for Unit 1,
Higher and Intermediate classes have already looked Christmas for Unit 2 and Easter for
at levels of development on a global scale and will Unit 3.
move on to diseases of the developing world focusing The topics for Higher Chemistry are
on Malaria. They will also be studying the physical “Energy Matters” , “The World of
landscape of the UK and the processes that led to the Carbon” and “Chemical Reactions”.
formation of these landscapes. The topics for Intermediate 2 are
“Building Blocks”, “Carbon
The Advanced Higher class are working on the statistical part of their Compounds” and “Acids, Bases and
Geographical Methods and Techniques unit as well as undertaking Metals”.
research, before making their final topic choice for the Geographical
Issues section of the course.
2

3. French
PE STUDIES At Int 2 and Higher level more
The importance of engaging in an active lifestyle has never emphasis is placed on the ability to
been of greater importance. The Higher/Intermediate 2 write accurately in the foreign
Physical Education curriculum comprises the language. Students are expected to
following activities, which pupils will participate The pass two units and prepare for the
in 6 periods / week: football, hockey, basketball, Active external exam in May, developing new
badminton and theory. S5 & S6 ungraded Schools skills such as: spoken presentation,
pupils also attend 6 periods a week and Network is
participate in a range of different a team of discussion and translation. The themes
activities in which they will have a people working covered will be: lifestyles, education &
within the school work, and the wider world.
degree of choice. Pupils are expected to being their own and the wider
kit, otherwise kit will be provided by P.E. staff. Kit community in Assessments take place when the
should comprise of a plain t-shirt and either shorts Scotland. Their goal is to teacher feels the students are ready
or tracksuit bottoms. Should a pupil be injured, offer all children and young Reading and Listening NABs must be
they should still bring kit accompanied with a people the motivation and completed by end April, Oral
note from home to explain their reason for opportunities to ‘get active’. presentation & discussion and Written
not taking part. These pupils will either In practice, this means that their
job is to increase the number of CV by March. All assessments take
be asked to assist with scoring,
refereeing, timekeeping or opportunities for all children to get place in class under controlled
engaged in physical activity and conditions. Failure to pass the
complete a written exercise sport. They also try to build
related to the current activity. bridges with sports clubs and assessments mean no overall award can
Pupils should enjoy P.E… other community be given and withdrawal from the May
remember it’s like all organisations, such as exam.
things in life...you Kilwinning Community Students will receive a wide variety of
only get out what Sports Club, to give homework tasks to do, both as
you put in! pupils a ‘pathway’ to
continue their preparation for and follow-up to
participation in classroom activities. As part of our
sport outside Critical Skills/AifL techniques they
Modern Studies of the will also be expected to research a
The Higher Modern Studies course is offered school
gates. particular grammar point, prepare and
to give pupils (new voters) an insight into the
processes which underpin political and social life. deliver a presentation.
Topics studied involve Decision Making processes in the
Scottish and UK Governments and their Functions, Wealth
and Health Inequalities in the UK, and the international Music
topic is America. Again Internal Assessments will All elements of the
be completed throughout the year and as well Higher and Advanced
as homework exercises, pupils are Currently, Higher music course
expected to read newspapers and Active are under way, and
Schools has a
listen to news bulletins as number of pupils have a secure
knowledge of current opportunities for understanding of the course
affairs is an children to participate requirements. Students at these levels
History advantage. in physical activity.
Among the activities on
have to perform on two instruments
at a demanding level, and pupils are
The topics studied offer are: dodgeball,
in Higher History are encouraged to take advantage of the
gymnastics, cheerleading, music department’s facilities for
“Britain 1850-79, Russia basketball, table-tennis and many
1881-1921, and more. Activities are normally held practice, during and out with school
Appeasement and the Road to at lunchtime and afterschool and time.
War”. Pupils will sit Internal details of what’s on, at what time can The first Listening test on
Assessments throughout the term. be found on the notice boards in Renaissance music is planned for the
The Extended Essay, which is marked the P.E department. third week in September. There
For further information on follows a Solo assessment on 23/24
externally, will be completed in March. what Active Schools is
Regular homework exercises will be September: one piece on each
doing in Kilwinning instrument should be played fluently.
given. Some of the notes and homework please contact: Steven
exercises are available on the school website. Stirrat, Active The first Invention was due for
Schools Co- completion on 2 Novmber.
ordinator Tel: The first section of Advanced Higher
The Intermediate sections will 0 7 7 7 1 Investigative Study, complete with
study “From the Cradle to the Grave, 505065. musical quotes and bibliography,
Social Welfare in Britain 1890s 1951, should be finished by Wednesday, 11
the Red Flag: Lenin and the Russian November.
Revolution 1894-1921, and the Road to War Higher and Advanced Higher pupils
1933-39”. Again Internal Assessments, and are reminded that, to the best of their
homework exercises will be completed ability, they should have learned
throughout the year and an Extended Response is their complete recital programmes
completed in March and marked externally. These for the Prelim examinations, when
topics allow pupils to build on the knowledge and skills their playing will be recorded.
learned in Standard Grade History.
3

4. C0mputing and Administration Home Economics
The aim of the S5/6 curriculum in Hospitality is to build
The Higher Administration course
on acquired practical food preparation skills and to
consists of 2 units (Administrative
improve confidence in the ability of pupils to prepare
Services and Information Technology for
dishes suitable for sale in the Hospitality industry.
Management), one of 40 hours and one
for 80 hours. These run in parallel with
The units are: Practical Cookery, Food Preparation for
completion of both units scheduled for the
Healthy Eating, and Foods of the world.
Easter break in 2010. Classes will have a
series of small class tests as sections of
Pupils will be trained to prepare and cook dishes to a
units are completed but the first large assessment will be
standard required by the hospitality industry, while
the prelim exam in January. Unit assessments will be
carrying out procedures to the hygienic standard required
completed as judged suitable by the class teacher.
by industry.
The Administration course at Intermediate 2 level consists
of 3 x 40 hour units (Administrative Services, Information In all areas of practical cookery pupils will be expected
Technology for Administrators, and Presenting and to follow the departmental rules of coming prepared with
Communicating Information). Two of the units should be containers and additional ingredients as required.
completed prior to Christmas and therefore be included in
the January prelim with the third unit being completed The course will be delivered at Intermediate 2 level. It
after the prelims. may be delivered at Intermediate 1 level to pupils,
following consultation to meet the needs of the
The Business Management course at Intermediate 2 and individual. All three units must be successfully
Higher consists of 3 x 40 hour units (Business Enterprise, complete prior to 30 April.
Business Decision Areas: Marketing and Operations, and
Business Decision Areas: Finance and Human Resource The examination will be carried out in
Management) and it is planned to have two of the units class, supervised and marked by the
complete by Christmas, with the third being completed class teacher. An external verifier may
after the January prelims. visit the school to observe and mark
the examination.
The Computing and Information Systems courses
both consist of three units of work which have the
same or similar titles at both Higher and Art Important Dates
Intermediate 2 level. Both of these courses will • Prelims begin January
run the two core units in parallel starting • S5/6 Parents Evening
immediately after the summer holidays and & December
hopefully seeing unit assessments • SQA Exams begin April
completed by the Christmas break.
January brings a short period of revision Design
before the prelims in January and the Contacting school
The Art and Design Kilwinning Academy,
third unit should be complete by the department offers senior pupils a
Easter break. A second prelim will Dalry Road,
range of levels from Intermediate 1 Kilwinning
be scheduled as part of exam right through to Advanced Higher in
preparation. This structure is KA13 7HD
sixth year. Our Intermediate and Higher 01294 551316
summarised below: courses require the students to produce both contactus@kilwinning.n-
Expressive and Design units, as well as an Art ayrshire.sch.uk
and Design Studies unit.
Aug - Dec: Computer Within these units there are a wide range of choices
Systems, Software www.kilwinning-
available, from still life, portraiture, landscape and built academy.co.uk
Development, Database environment in the Expressive unit, to graphics, fashion and
Systems, Using textiles, product design and architecture in the Design unit.
Information. Feb - Students enjoy working with a wide range of media such as
April: Computer painting, ceramics and pottery, silk painting and printmaking.
Networking, The Advanced Higher course gives pupils the opportunity to explore
Information Design or Expressive themes in a deeper and very personal way. This can
Systems, provide them with the opportunity to find out more about themselves and
Applied provides a bridge to Further or Higher Education. Many pupils have gone on to
Multimedia. study subjects such as Architecture, Graphic Design, Illustration, Fashion and even
for those going on to study the sciences or other arts, the visual literacy they acquire
can be invaluable.
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