Broad General Education (S1-S3)

Our BGE has been designed in consultation with our school community with the aim of ensuring our pupils experience a broad curriculum which entails depth, specialisation and develops the four capacities. Pupils in S1 to S3 study subjects from the following curricular areas:

• Languages
  
• Mathematics
  
• Science
  
• Social Subjects
  
• Technology
  
• Expressive Arts
  
• Health & Wellbeing
  

S1 & S2 Curriculum
Within S1 and S2, young people at Braes High School undertake rich, broad and fulfilling learning experiences which serve to develop the four capacities of CfE. Our pupils study subjects across all six curricular areas and receive their full entitlement to core PE, RMPS and PSE. As part of our S1 curriculum, pupils also receive two periods of Core Skills which supports our young people with building our Braes skills: Literacy; Numeracy; Employability; Health & Wellbeing; Problem Solving and Digital Literacy.

S3 Curriculum
As pupils move into S3, they are given the opportunity to further specialise in their chosen subjects in preparation for their transition into the Senior Phase. Courses in S3 have been refined in all curricular areas to include elements which will support and prepare them for National Qualifications. Pupils continue to receive their full entitlement to core periods of PE, RMPS and PSE.

BGE Review
As part of our ongoing School Improvement process and in response to COVID-19 and the recent OECD report 2021, several developments and adjustments have been made to our BGE curriculum:

• Enhanced focus on Health and Wellbeing across the curriculum and within our Core Skills course, Best Foot Forward
  
• Improving our young people's digital skills through the introduction of a Digital Passport Award within the Technologies Faculty
  
• Increased focus on supporting young people with understanding courses and pathways to support positive destinations and maximising potential as they work through their Senior Phase
  
• Launch of our Onwards Upwards Programme which serves to further understand and know our learners as well as targets young people to remove barriers to learning, provide an equitable platform and maximise individual potential
  
• A focus on embedding Creativity and Sustainability across the curriculum
  

Moving forward, the following recommendations from the Scottish Government will feature as part of our improvement plan for our Broad General Education:

• Reassess CFEs aspirational vision against emerging trends and update our vision based on this
  
• Review the balance between both breadth and depth of learning and how our curriculum can better help learners consolidate knowledge, skills and attitudes by the end of their BGE journey
  
• Create an ongoing curriculum review cycle of our BGE
  

Senior Phase (S4-S6)

Our Senior Phase Curriculum has been designed to allow pupils to build upon their experiences and knowledge gained from the BGE whilst continuing to develop the four capacities and achieve academic and personal success.

Our Senior Phase curriculum aims to provide specialisation, depth and rigour and prepares them to gain the best set of qualifications by the end of their school career, allowing them to achieve a positive and sustained destination beyond school.

Braes High School recognises the importance of creating flexible curricular pathways in order to provide our young people the opportunity to fully develop their skills and provide scope for staff to introduce well considered innovations to meet the needs of all learners. For some individuals this can include appropriate presentation for courses linked to ability, rather than age and stage. For some young people, our 32 periods-a-week model is adapted through partnerships with college, employers and other partners. Braes High School has an open and flexible approach to supporting all young people, including those with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Social and Emotional Behavioural Needs (SEBN).

S4
As well as studying PSE, PE and RMPS, pupils in S4 study up to 7 subjects which lead to National Qualifications. Pupils are offered free choice when electing their courses to ensure flexibility and personalisation for all. We offer a wide variety of subjects from National 1-5 and our aim is that all pupils attain a minimum of five National Qualifications by the end of S4. To further maximise achievement, pupils can gain further qualifications where appropriate. Pupils who are considering leaving school at the end of S4 to pursue a college course can choose the SCOTS course (School - College Opportunities to Succeed) at Forth Valley College. We also have a range of bespoke transition courses which develop skills for work for young people moving beyond school.

S5/6
As pupils enter S5, our young people further specialise in five of their subjects which can include a range of courses at levels 4, 5 and 6. We offer opportunities for students to embark upon a range of college courses such as Foundation Apprenticeships and Higher National Certificates. In addition, pupils in S5/6 select a Personal Development option which allows them to further develop skills relevant to their chosen pathway.

As pupils progress into S6, they can enhance their existing qualifications by studying up to a further five subjects, either through further specialisation or breadth in National courses such as National 5/ Higher/Advanced Higher or other courses such as National Progression Awards or National Certificates at levels 5/6.

Braes High School operates under the Falkirk Council Consortia arrangements which facilitates the opportunity to study particular subjects which we are not able to offer. This is essential in ensuring our young people are supported in moving towards their chosen destination.