Self taught Highers - any experience?

[MrsAmaretto]

I’ve never heard of this so I’m looking to understand other’s experiences. School has suggested to my S5 son that he self studies Higher Geography due to a timetable clash. They say he can do this at school through Scottish Highers Online. He would be doing 4 other taught Highers. English, maths, physics (clash with his other choice of geography) and chemistry. Has anyone’s child done this?

He has a column empty but has done none of the subjects as Nat 5 and to be honest hates them - music, languages, biology, admin.

I have no idea what to advise him - he got an A in his geography prelim, but they say he’ll need to study the subject with no teacher input. Maybe I’m best making him do a crash higher in something he has no interest in but at least has an actual teacher rather than a bunch of recordings?

I asked about S-goil teaching provision but the Pooh-poohed this. We are in the Scottish islands so moving schools is not an option!

In a former life I was a geography teacher and an SQA marker for higher.

if he’s motivated then it’s doable but I’d consider getting a tutor as there are lots of wee tricks in the exam that you really need a teacher to prepare you for (any decent teacher will know!!). Geog is a good one for self study as there’s no maths and things that you can’t learn by yourself, but I’d say guidance on things like exam structure, map skills, the step up from nat5 for some questions which are similar would be harder to do yourself.

feel free to DM me if you want. So nice though to hear of someone so keen on geography that they’d do it self study - it improves my faith in teenagers!!

I self taught modern studies, but that was 21yrs ago now! I got an A.
I was also doing history (taught) which helped as it gave the essay writing skills, and I was politically engaged so it was an easy as I was interested.

The thing I would say is will there be a teacher who can mark past papers and give some feedback. This was the biggest thing for me, I could read and teach myself the content no bother at all, but some exam technique bits some teacher input was needed. A tutor could probably do this.

DS self taught some A level maths. He's a maths teacher now and has a couple of sixth formers self teaching due to circumstances. It does require both ability and determination. No idea about geography though.
Important thing would be to have the support of the geography teacher even if he's unable to be in the lessons.

Thank you @weegiemum@ThePlover@NameChangeScot you have reassured me that this is not crazy! I’ll look into tutors. Thanks @weegiemumfor the specifics that I can cover when looking for a tutor, and I’ll no doubt be in touch.

My Dd did a self taught advanced higher music the music teacher did support her but she and and another pupil just did it themselves, she sat her exam in school and passed, it was 16 years ago so the ins and outs are a bit hazy but she did have allotted time table for it.

If your son is motivated and capable then why not.