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Moving from English to Scottish School System in Yr 10

10 replies

expatbrat · 01/10/2013 16:23

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

We are moving to Scotland during the October break and my DS is in Yr 10. The move is unavoidable and we're just going to have to make the most of it.
The problem is we have absolutely no idea about the Scottish school system.
I dont understand the grading/levels. How to convert current 6,7,8abc ones? Going from GCSE's to Standards?
If anyone has any experience or knows a good website, Would love to hear from you.

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motherstongue · 01/10/2013 16:52

How old is your DS as the intake dates are different in Scotland? My DS is Scottish but boards in England and he is Y10, that would make him 3rd year in the Scottish system. If he is 3rd year he will not be doing Standard grades, he will be doing the Curriculum for Excellence. Don't know if private school is an option and would also obviously depend on where you are going to live but some of the private schools follow the English GCSE.

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TeacakeEater · 01/10/2013 17:20

Birthday cut off is end of February, so generally those with March birthdays are the oldest in the class. (Somewhat confused by some older Jan/Feb birthdays having deferred at the start of their primary schooling.)

Check with each school regarding their interpretation of the senior phase (Senior years S4 - S6) in the new Curriculum for Excellence.

Very broadly the exam equivalents are :
GCSE level - National 5 ,
AS is Higher,
A level is Advanced Higher.

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TheRealHousewifeOfSomewhere · 01/10/2013 17:27

Watching with interest - this may become our nightmare too but with DC in starting english Yr12 and yr9.

I love Scotland and would love to return but schooling is a worry especially with this new curriculum for excellence which I am struggling to get a grasp of and which I think in my vague understanding of it makes the difference between english and scottish system bigger - as in the completely different way the system works (not standards).

Sorry not much help OP.

I dont know if you are moving with the military or not but if you are you need to contact the CEAS asap and they can offer you lots of advice and facts - although they have been a sketchy on info on the new Curriculum For Excellence.

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TeacakeEater · 01/10/2013 17:49

There are websites from the Scottish Government Quangos involved that describe the CfE.

When it gets to S4-S6 different schools have different approaches and you are best to contact them.

To correct my earlier post I think National 4 and 5 will cover English GCSE, with National 5 being the upper level (equivalent to the old Credit level at Standard Grade.)

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jennycoast · 01/10/2013 19:36

You definitely need to check which year he will go in to - which will depend on his birthday, not what year he is in now. Y10 might be S4 - so he might have exams this year. You really need to try to talk to the school he'll be going to asap. Be prepared too that he may be in an area where the pupils are only taking 6 subjects to National 4/5, and not the 10 or 12 he's studying just now. Some schools or councils are allowing up to 8 though.

Good luck, it will be complicated to start with, but fingers crossed you get a supportive school.

You'll find a FAQ here national 4 & 4

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Tinlegs · 01/10/2013 19:38

The whole system is in flux and schools are interpreting the new curriculum in different ways. However, most schools have people who have moved at some point and plenty of teachers have taught in both. Pm me if you want specific advice.

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expatbrat · 01/10/2013 20:08

Thanks all.

We are moving due to job (not military) so on our own with it.
It is a worry as he's already chosen his options and due to take GCSE Math a year early (end of yr 10) also doing 3x science but new school only allow 2 :( Also doing GCSE Spanish but new school don't offer it and yes he's only allowed to choose 7 options.
There is only one secondary school in the area we're moving to.
Birthday is June '99 so think this makes him 3rd year?

Getting a bit stressed about it all.

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Groovee · 01/10/2013 20:16

It may be best to ask on the local mumsnet board of where you are moving too.

He would be in 3rd year. My dd is Jan 2000 and should be 3rd year but is deferred and they choose their options in 2nd year so she's made her options.

The school should give you plenty support and any issues I would just ask.

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jennycoast · 02/10/2013 09:32

If they are only allowing 2 sciences at Nat 5 in 4th year, then they will almost certainly have provision to take the additional one in S5 or S6. Some schools will not yet have taken their options at this point in S3, which might good news for you, in as much as he may have a chance to find his feet before having to chose again. Some schools are even claiming that three sciences will no longer even be necessary for medicine. Jury out on that one, because the universities are making non committal noises.

Good luck. Some parents would be delighted to be allowed to take 7 subjects, so it might seem like a huge loss, but it could be worse! (Aware that it won't feel like that for you at the moment!)