Senior School
Providing opportunities for our student to achieve their full potential and open future pathways
Academic
Senior School
We make every lesson informative and engaging in order to ensure a thorough understanding of each subject so that our students can maximise their academic potential.
Our academic staff are experts in their chosen fields, dedicated to their students and committed to getting the very best from each of them. Developing self-motivation is as important as academic results. With our broad curriculum and inspiring teaching, we encourage the students to challenge themselves and to work diligently to achieve their goals.
Academic
High Academic Aspirations
At Kirkcudbright Academy, academic aspirations are high, and success is achieved through a genuine curiosity and love for learning.
We are proud of our strong academic record, whilst also recognising that education in its truest sense is measured not just in examination results, but in the preparation of young people for the future.
Senior Student Comments
What the Students Say!
Senior School Curriculum
Our curriculum is broad and, as a fairly small school, we are able to cater for individual academic needs. Subject combinations are drawn up every year on the basis of pupils’ preferences, giving them more choice. Meticulous care is taken by the Guidance Staff and the Careers Personnel in guiding pupils towards suitable subject choices.
The Curriculum in the Senior School is based around courses available through the Scottish Qualifications Authority, however we do have the freedom to tailor and enhance the the requirements of the Curriculum to suit the specific needs of our students.
The senior phase, which takes place from S4 to S6 in schools is the phase when the young person will build up a portfolio of qualifications. It is the stage of education at which the relationship between the curriculum and National Qualifications becomes of key significance.
Moving into S4 marks the transition between the Broad General Education and the start of the Senior Phase. This is the period where students will begin to engage with the process of compiling a portfolio of qualifications which will create opportunities for them to realise their future career aspirations, whether this is Higher/Further Education or further training/employment.
Students in S4 can study up to seven subjects, mainly at National 4 or 5 level, however the opportunity to create a personalised timetable exists. All students will follow certificated courses in Mathematics and English along with core subjects of Personal, Social and Health Education and Religious, Moral Education and Physical Education.
In addition to the courses listed above student will select a further five optional courses, these courses will usually be a continuation from those studied in S3, however there is the opportunity to study courses not previously followed.
All certificated courses are 1 year in length with students sitting formal examinations in courses followed at National 5 level, or above.
Traditionally S5 has been a crucial time for Scottish School children as Higher examinations have a special significance for entry to Further and Higher Education and beyond.
The majority of students will follow 5 subjects in S5, continuing studies in subjects previously followed, progressing to the next level of that course. This could be all at Higher level or a mixture of Higher and National qualifications.
In order to provide a greater range of course provision for our students, and to ensue subjects with a low uptake are viable in terms of student numbers, subjects will usually be taught based on level of provision resulting in classes containing students across year groups.
S5 also provides students with the opportunity to broaden their curricular experience by opting for different learning experiences such as Open Learning provision through the local college, selecting and studying courses offered at one of the other Stewartry Secondary schools or by applying to follow one of the Foundation Apprenticeships available through the College/Local Authority.
S6 provides student with the opportunity to either continue to progress their subjects to the next level or to broaden the range of subjects being studied. Students are required to initially select 4 subjects to study during S6, with the opportunity to reduce this at a later date if demands become excessive. All students must ensure at least 21 hours (25 Periods) of directed teaching time is timetable per week.
Universities are keen to encourage applicants to pursue their studies to a more advanced level in Sixth Year. Students who meet or exceed the minimum university entrance requirements after Fifth Year are recommended to study at least one (and preferably more) subjects at Advanced Higher level.
While many of our students will continue with National and/or Higher grade courses, the school offers opportunities to broaden their learning experiences through the provision of Advanced Higher, Scottish Baccalaureate and Open University YASS courses. S6 also offers students the opportunity to undertake Work Experience and other school based experiences.
The Academy have teamed up with local Agricultural Merchants to offer a variety of opportunities for our students.
The Open University provide the opportunity for our S6 students to study a variety of on-line courses under the heading of YASS.
The Academy have worked along with Scotland’s Rural College to provide a number of on-line courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships are offered in conjunction with Dumfries and Galloway Education and Dumfries and Galloway College
Dumfries and Galloway College offer a variety of courses through their College Academy offer.
