The curriculum aims to give a broad and balanced education to all our pupils. It is based on national guidelines and also aims to offer a flexible pathway to future employment or further studies.
S1 & S2 In school these aims are pursued through teaching of specific subjects, skills and attitudes. For the first two years all pupils study the same subjects. These are under review for session 2005-06 and presently are as follows:
Art and Design |
Food Technology |
Computing |
Mathematics |
English |
Music |
Business Studies |
History |
French/Gaelic (either) |
Physical Education |
Religious Education |
Personal & Social Education |
Modern Studies |
Drama |
Geography |
Science |
Technical Education |
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Social subjects: All pupils in S1 and S2 study History, Geography in 10 week blocks. eg 1U will study Geography for 10 weeks followed by 10 weeks of History.
S3/S4 In February of their second year pupils have to make choices of the subjects they wish to continue to study in S3/4. We build in as much flexibility and choice as possible into this process, though all pupils will normally continue to study core subjects such as Mathematics and English. You can see details of how they choose in Appendix A. These courses lead in the main to national qualifications at Standard Grade or Access and Intermediate level units and courses. Options can vary from year to year. It is possible to be placed on vocational courses that lead to part time study in Inverness College. This is only available from start of S4 and with clear parental support and real commitment from the pupils. In time we hope to offer such courses on our own campus here at Culloden Academy.
S5/S6 The subjects and courses offered are given in Appendix B. These can lead to Advanced Higher, Higher, and Intermediate 1/2 qualifications usually up to a maximum of five subjects in any one year.
The choice and range of courses may vary from year to year depending on staffing and other resources. The S5/S6 course choice shown in Appendix B is subject such constraints as the numbers of pupils opting to do a course. In most cases it should be possible top offer most options over the two years of S5 and S6 Session.
RELIGIOUS AND MORAL EDUCATION From S1 to S4 pupils take courses in Religious and Moral Education. In S1, pupils study the significance of religious writings, buildings, signs and symbols, and festivals associated with the Christian tradition and other religions. In S2 pupils study the lives of religious founders and 3 major world religions.
From S3 to S4, ethical and moral issues are discussed and explored. This framework for the study of religious and moral issues will be built into an overarching framework for Personal, Social and Moral education. Daily School Assemblies and events throughout the year give good opportunities for further religious observance and values education. In S4, certain students may be presented for the Intermediate 1 units/course in Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies (RMPS). In S5/6 pupils will be in a position to take on Intermediate 1or 2 in S5. Higher RMPS is available in S6. Parents who wish to exercise their right to withdraw their child from RME should write to the Rector making their request to have their child excused.
PERSONAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION All pupils have classes in Personal and Social Education (P.S.E.) from stages S1 to S6. P.S.E. covers work under the headings of Community, Health and Careers Education. The course is under review in 2004-5. Currently topics dealt with in these sections include careers guidance; smoking; alcohol; drugs and their effect on health; sex education; accident prevention; study skills and consumer protection.
The content and approach of the course takes into account the age and stages of development of pupils so that while topics such as those under Careers Education may appear in years S1 to S4 the approach will be different each time, beginning with a general educational approach in S1, finally moving to specific job requirements in S2 and job seeking techniques such as interview skills in S4 and beyond. |