The Secondary Curriculum
Hutchesons' offers a true breadth of education combined with an established tradition of academic rigour open to new developments in education, but confident of the distinctive strengths on which we can build.
During their first two years in Secondary School, pupils study around 16 subjects, including three specialist and separate sciences, Latin and a modern foreign language.
In S3 and S4 all pupils are encouraged to study a balanced curriculum of seven or eight subjects leading to public examination, including English and Mathematics.
The Higher remains the ‘gold standard' for certification in Scottish education. While in Scotland the system of examinations at 16 has been going through a period of transition in recent years, the prime focus of the academic curriculum at Hutchesons' in terms of examinations remains the acquisition by each pupil of the best possible set of Highers in S5. This is reflected in the unique construction of our courses in S3 and S4.
Most pupils take Higher English in S5 alongside four or five other subjects, which they have selected carefully in conjunction with pastoral, career development and curricular staff. In 2007, over 57% of Highers taken were passed at grade A, the highest percentage of any Scottish school. In Sixth Year we are proud of the enormous range of choices that we can offer our pupils, ranging from Advanced Higher and A Levels, to additional Highers, and enrichment courses - over 50 courses in all. In addition, pupils can take on the opportunity to develop independent learning skills by completing the Independent Research Paper as well as pursuing a huge range of opportunities in the non-academic areas of the curriculum.
Each pupil has an email account and controlled access to the internet. Homework is a high priority because it develops self-discipline and the ability to study independently, and also gives opportunities to deepen knowledge and interest.
- S3 Curriculum Prospectus
Pupils in S2 can find out here how to choose subjects for S3 and beyond.
