In the Nat4_Nat5 folder on this site, you will find our model for S3 and S4. I was asked to share a rationale to allow others to understand the thinking in the hope that it might inform your own curriculum design.

Cfe Curriculum Model – Millburn Academy

The need?

To schedule coverage of the new CfE physics qualifications for mixed ability classes over two years as that is the school’s curricular model of ‘minimal change’. Timetable constraints meant that we are unable to offer classes streamed into National 4 (N4) or National 5 (N5) separately as most S2 pupils will aspire to N5 certainly in the early months of S3. S1/2 Science covers most of third level but little of fourth level CfE Es & Os, point of choice is March of S2.

The proposed structure?

We plan to cover a selection of N4 and N5 content in S3 across part of all three units at both levels in S3 then go around the units again picking up the areas which were not covered in S3. For S3 and the early part of S4 we intent to teach mainly to N5 level with less emphasis on N4 content unless useful for N5. N4 can be internally assessed on this subset of content. In December of S4 after ‘N5 prelim exams’ the classes will split and for the last few months become ‘bi-level’ with N5 candidates concentrating on the more demanding areas of N5 such as voltage dividers and N4 candidates building up a reliable N4 added value folio. National 5 candidates will have a folio suitable for a fallback N4 pass but this should be straightforward due to their higher ability level.

Pupils have an option to study National 4 Science with National 3 Science as a fallback if they have found science demanding in S2.

Time per week and number of subjects?

We will have 160 minutes a week in S3 and S4. Candidates will have a choice of 8 subjects in S3/4 with recommendations to pursue all curricular areas but this can be negotiated to study 2 or even three sciences.

Advantages for learners and teachers?

• Learners can take a broad range of subjects and choose their best for higher.

• Candidates who end up being presented for N4 only will work through the whole 2 years and have been able to consider many of the ideas and practical work of N5 physics. We have been keen not to do N4 in S3 and N5 in S4, otherwise what would the N4 candidate do in S4?

• Being in the same class for two years allows the forging of effective working relationships between learners and with the teacher.

• Revisiting each unit will allow key concepts to be revised and built on rather than being covered once as in most course designs.

Disadvantages for learners

• The S3/4 classes are timetabled outside the S5/6 senior phase and therefore lacks the potential flexibility of S4/5/6.

• There will be a larger ability mix in the class and this may hold back the more able N5 candidates.

• National 5 content may be inaccessible for lower ability N4 candiates.

• The N4 candidates will inevitable lose motivation after December of S4 when the teacher will be interested to get as much out of the N5 candidates as possible.

Disadvantages for teachers

• Not all N4 content can be taught fully and therefore assessment does not sample full course.

• Lack of opportunity for open-ended investigation due to pressure of time.

• Bi-level teaching after December of S4 will present challenges.

• Difficult for N4 candidates to drop down to N3 physics in such a mixed ability class.

In opening up our curriculum model to scrutiny and discussion we accept it is not perfect but given the external factors and difficulties of timetable we see it as a ‘best-fit’ compromise.

We would be please to hear of other models and the reasons for their adoption as we may be forced to change our plans in the future……

Martyn Crawshaw

PT Sciences, Millburn Academy Inverness