Dundee secondary schools are getting “prepared and ready to launch” new national qualifications, the city council’s education director has said.
But Michael Wood has admitted that rolling out Curriculum for Excellence (CoE) is posing continuing challenges. The senior phase of CoE will affect pupils moving into S4 next term.
They are having to make course choices now and after the summer holidays they will study a maximum of six subjects at National 4 and 5 level, replacing Standard Grades.
In following years they will be able to go on to take Highers and Advanced Highers. These courses will also be revised, although they will keep their current names.
Mr Wood said: “Given the importance of English and mathematics for vocational and further/higher education purposes, all pupils will continue to study these subjects up to the highest level of which they are capable.
“At the start of S4 most pupils will follow a two-year course of study, continuing with five of their six S4 subjects in S5.”
The education department has been working with Dundee College on a programme to expand vocational learning opportunities. At present, more than 200 places are available for S4 pupils.
Mr Wood said: “Teaching staff, particularly at secondary level, are anxious to maintain and build on the positive trends of recent years in relation to attainment as they move to the new qualifications framework.
“A key issue for staff is the time-frame for implementation and the schedule for the release of key documents to guide their preparations and developments. It is anticipated nationally that the development will take place over a number of sessions.
“Dundee schools have made some excellent progress towards this over the last three years, however the education department and schools are aware of the continuing challenges that the programme poses.”
Work on introducing the new exams has included in-school training, meetings to discuss the approach to be taken with particular subjects and training events organised by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Around 50 staff have been put forward as subject experts and will shortly receive training. They will be expected to play a key role in developing staff knowledge of the assessment standards associated with the new qualifications.
Schools are in the process of submitting their final estimates of the number of pupils who will sit the national tests.
Education convener Stewart Hunter said: “There has already been much work done in all our schools to implement the Curriculum for Excellence over the last few years.
“Information events have been held for parents and carers and we are keen to continue this as the new subject choices come in, leading up to the new exams.
“I would like to thank teachers and staff in schools for their dedication, which has been crucial for taking these important steps for the future of education.