Scotland SCHOLAR courses

[NickInTheNorth]

Anyone familiar with SCHOLAR courses as provided by Heriot Watt uni for use by Schools in Scotland?

In short are they good enough to allow an able student to pass at A grade without teacher support?

The background to the question is my daughters High School is hopeless, this year at Advanced Higher they are offering Maths, English, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Music and Art. They also originally offered French but withdrew that due to lack of numbers.

My daughter obtained AAAAC at Higher (French, English, Maths, History, Art, with a C in Art (school predicted all A's).

She really wants to do English and French at uni, and does not want to be restricted to Scottish Universities, and many of the English uni's don't make offers based on Highers, but want Advanced Highers.

[nothruroad]

I don't think the AH French material is good enough. It is a much lower level than the actual exam. Also the speaking exam is worth 25% of the final grade so it is essential to spend as much time as possible speaking French - especially discussing current affairs. Scholar materials as a start combined with reading newspapers really regularly and having a tutor to practise speaking would probably be the best option I think. Is there another school nearby she could do it at? Some schools in Highland region do parts of the course through Glow meets I believe.

[NickInTheNorth]

Thanks nothruroad, next nearest schools are 25 miles away in opposite directions, and not offering AH French either. School have agree to give what support they can.

We plan to ensure that we get french newspapers, are planning to ensure she gets regular French conversation focussing on we are told current affairs / business type subjects. We have several relatives and friends who are fluent or native speakers, and hope to ensure at least one good session per week to start with.

If we need to engage a tutor over and above what support the school are able to provide then we will. Make good use of the EMA.

Do you mind me asking in what way you have encountered SCHOLAR, you seem very well informed and knowledgeable.

[nothruroad]

I don't think you necessarily need a tutor if you have a native speaker she can talk to. What's important is that she is able to discuss the topics covered which are not all things teenagers normally discuss. It would be easy to have a nice chat which didn't actually prepare for the exam.
I don't think I've ever been called well informed and knowledgeable before - thanks! I'm a French teacher and have taught Higher and AH for several years. I have used Scholar a bit with my classes but not much because, like I said earlier, I don't think the level is high enough.
If you have any more questions or I can help in any way feel free to PM me.

[NickInTheNorth]

Thank you, that is much appreciated.