S3 Options Information

Introduction for Pupils

You are now at the stage where you need to consider which subjects you wish to study in S4 next session.

In S4 you will follow a Core curriculum and also be able to choose from the Options on offer to you. This opportunity for personalisation and choice should be both exciting and challenging.

Core

Society expects everyone to have certain basic skills of literacy and numeracy; to develop a healthy body and to understand the pitfalls and challenges of modern life. For these reasons, every pupil in S4 will study the following core subjects:

English (4 periods)
Mathematics (4 periods)
Physical Education / Health & Wellbeing / RME (2 periods)

Options

In addition to your core subjects you have the opportunity to choose five other subjects.

Option 1 (5 periods)
Option 2 (5 periods)
Option 3 (5 periods)
Option 4 (5 periods)
Option 5 (5 periods)

Your studies in English and Maths and in your five Options subjects will prepare you to achieve success in National Qualifications by the end of S4.

In S3 you developed and extended your experiences and skills in your chosen subjects across all eight curricular areas. These experiences and skills will have helped prepare you for entry to the Senior Phase in S4 and for presentation in National Qualifications. Therefore to give yourself the best chance of success it is important that your choice of Options subjects for study in S4 is made from those which you currently study in S3.

You will find lots of advice on the school website on the subjects and courses available to you – click on the link below to access the S3 Option Form and links to the information on each course. Read the information carefully and should you need any further clarification don’t hesitate to ask a member of staff from the relevant department.

You must also ensure that you choose to continue with subject areas and levels that you can be successful in. Staff will make recommendations about the levels and courses which you should aspire to and this advice needs to be considered carefully when you are choosing subjects.

Your intended career may help determine the subjects you will choose for study in fourth year and beyond, and should you wish you are able to seek advice from the school's Careers Advisor, Zoe Knox, who can be easily contacted by email at zoe.knox@sds.co.uk

It is most important that you pay close attention to the instructions given on the reverse of the Option Form. Read carefully what is written about how you indicate your subject choices.

If you are in doubt concerning any particular subject choice you can discuss this with your Principal Teacher of Pupil Support or Depute Head at your options interview. The options process is an important aspect of the journey of each pupil in the school and staff are committed to it being a positive experience.

Please ensure that you take the options process seriously and think carefully about the courses you choose to follow next session. The choices that you make now will prove important in ensuring that you move into a positive destination when the time comes for you to leave school and enter further and higher education or ultimately, the world of work.