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Scotland's newest qualification
27/11/2008
Scotland's brightest pupils will have their abilities in languages and science stretched by education's newest qualifications since the introduction of the Advanced Higher in 2001.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, revealed the constituent parts of the new Scottish Language Baccalaureate and Scottish Science Baccalaureates which have been created to build on the back of the Advanced Highers' success.
And on the eve of the launch of 'Science for Scotland', the Scottish Science Framework, which will address how to improve the way scientific expertise in further and higher education supports business and the economy, she stressed that the new awards would prepare our young people for their part in contributing to Scotland's continued economic success.
Ms Hyslop said:
"The Baccalaureate awards aim to encourage more of our young people to study more science and language courses in the later stages of secondary school, raise the status of S6 and assist our young people in making the transition from school to higher and further education and employment."
The Baccalaureates will include two courses from the eligible list relating to science or languages, as well as a mathematics or English/Gaidhlig course, and an interdisciplinary project to be taken in S6. Two out of the three courses must be at Advanced Higher with the remaining course at Higher level.
An example of a topic that could be studied within the Science Baccalaureate is how the life sciences are used in industry, the engineering industry and ethical issues in science.
An example of a topic in the Languages Baccalaureate is how Scotland's tourism and cultural provision is perceived by speakers of other languages and Scotland and global citizenship issues.
Ms Hyslop said that the SQA and Government have been overwhelmed by the interest in the Baccalaureate proposals and are looking into introducing Baccalaureates in various subjects such as social subjects - geography and history - and art. The first Baccalaureates will be awarded in August 2010.
Professor John Coggins, Vice Principal of Life Science & Medicine, Glasgow University, said:
"A very attractive feature of the Science Baccalaureate is the Interdisciplinary Project which will challenge able pupils to apply a range of subject and problem-solving skills in an integrated manner and so prepare them admirably both for Higher Education and for their future careers."
Derek Elder, Director for Scotland, Institution of Civil Engineers, said:
"Engineering is applied science to solve problems. We see benefits in the project element of the Baccalaureate. It will allow students to apply skills from one area to solve problems in another. Good problem-solvers make good engineers."
Claire Bleasdale, Chairperson of the Scottish Association of Language Teachers (SALT), said:
"On behalf of SALT, I welcome the Scottish Science and Language Baccalaureates, and with them the recognition of Languages and Science as cornerstones of Scottish education and of Scotland's future economic growth. The new award, and the requirement of at least two languages at Higher and Advanced Higher, will help to promote the principles of the Curriculum for Excellence programme, to raise the profile of languages in secondary schools and to give more young people the opportunity to study a wider range of languages at all levels".
Vivienne Brown, Skills Development Scotland, said
"Employers seek these high-order skills. Working in an Interdisciplinary way provides the learning vehicle to develop transferability skills and optimise mobility in future career opportunities as the labour market will increasingly demand."
Jim Scott, Head Teacher, Perth High School, said:
"The Scottish Baccalaureate completes the process of developing the four capacities in our young people."
The composition of the awards will be as follows:
Science Baccalaureate
- Two Sciences courses from the eligible list
- Mathematics Course
- Interdisciplinary Project
Any two of the above Courses will be at Advanced Higher, with one at Higher. The Interdisciplinary Project will be at Advanced Higher and will be graded A, B or C. For example, a candidate might choose to do Advanced Higher Physics, Advanced Higher Maths, Higher Chemistry and the Interdisciplinary Project.
Language Baccalaureate
- Two Language courses from the eligible list
- English/Gaidhlig/ESOL Course
- Interdisciplinary Project
Any two of the above courses will be at Advanced Higher, with one at Higher. The languages may be modern or classical languages. The Interdisciplinary Project will be at Advanced Higher and will be graded A, B or C. For example, a candidate might do Advanced Higher English, Advanced Higher French, Higher Spanish and the Interdisciplinary Project.
Course options to be included in the Scottish Language and Science Baccalaureates, have not been changed and are as follows:
Eligible Courses
Science:
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- Human Biology
- Information Systems
- Managing Environmental Resources
- Mechatronics
- Physics
- Technological Studies
- Building Construction
- Fabrication and Welding Engineering
- Geology
- Graphic Communication
- Product Design
Languages:
- French
- German
- Italian
- Russian
- Spanish
- Classical Greek
- Latin
- Gaelic (Learners)
- Urdu
- Mandarin
- Cantonese
SQA's course catalogue is kept under constant review. New courses may be added, or existing courses may be deleted or replaced.
Both of the Baccalaureates will be achieved at Pass or Distinction. A Pass will require passes in all courses and the Interdisciplinary Project. A Distinction will require A in one Advanced Higher, one other A in any component and at least B in all other components.
The Baccalaureates will not constitute an entire programme of study for S5 and S6 pupils. Those who take the Baccalaureates will have the opportunity to pursue other subjects.
Universities and UCAS over the next year will be assessing tariff ratings for university entrance/acceptance. However, they have already agreed to put the Baccalaureates on this year's website prospectuses as qualifications to be recognised and 2009-10 printed prospectuses are expected to refer to Baccalaureates.