S3 into S4 Course Choice

Welcome to the S3 into S4 Course Choice page.  All the information young people require to make their choices will be shared here.  Parent/Carer(s) will be able to access this information too in order to support decision making.  Please click on the relevant section below for further information.

Introduction

Welcome from the Headteacher

/i/video/j_SHAW_S3_TO_S4.mp4

 

Mrs J Shaw, Headteacher

Rigour, Aspiration & Perseverance

In this section, staff share the importance of our raising attainment approaches to maximise the attainment potential for all young people.

Role of the Year Head

/i/video/J_Bain_2_S3_into_S4.mp4

 

Mr J Bain, Depute Headteacher (S3 Year Head)

 

Role of PT Guidance (Head of House)

/i/video/S_Morran_S3_into_S4.mp4

Ms S Morran, PT Guidance (Head of House)

 

Raising Attainment

/i/video/C_Struth_S3_into_S4.mp4

 Mr C Struth, Depute Headteacher (Raising Attainment)

Partners

Our partners play an important role in providing independent advice to young people and their families.  In addition, Perth UHI College also supplements our curriculum by offering the School College Partnership.  The following videos outline their roles.

Skills Development Scotland

/i/video/S4_into_S5_Course_Choice_Launch_evening.mp4

David Harvey, Careers Coach, Skills Development Scotland

myworldofwork.co.uk

 

School College Partnership

//www.youtube.com/embed/Efb12sjeLk4#t=0.5

Justin Walker, School College Programme Coordinator, Perth UHI

https://www.perth.uhi.ac.uk/school-college-partnership/

Course Choice Form & Learner Pathways

In this section, you will find the course choice form and learner pathways document. 

In almost all cases, young people will choose which 2 subjects to remove from their current S3 curriculum.  This will mean that they will take forward 7 qualifications in S4 including Maths, English and their five courses which they started in S3.  In a few cases, young people will change their curriculum to include a course from the School College Partnership.  This option should align with their overall positive destination in the future.

A new course has been created to support learners maximise their skills for work by providing 2 qualifications at SCQF level 5 in S4 as well as capture prior attainment in 2 qualifications at SCQF level 5 in S3.

S3 into S4 Course Choice Form

s3 into s4 course choice form 2026.pdf

S3 into S4 Learner Pathways

s3 into s4 learner pathways 2026 27.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions about the S3 into S4 Course Choice, please let us know.  We will populate this section with answers throughout the course choice period.

What choice am I making going into S4?

From your existing nine courses that you chose for S3, you should decide which two you do not want to take forward for S4.  All courses that you take forward for S4 will have a qualification.

I want to do Highers in S5, what should I do?

Almost all learners will be studying 7 National 5 qualifications.  This will provide you with the opportunity and choice to study 5 highers in S5.

I need support with my course choice, who can I speak to?

You can speak with your TSG teacher, class teacher or Head of House.  Heads of House will be going round TSG, speaking about course choice in PSE and arranging (where required) course choice discussions.  The Year Head can also be sought out for advice.

All course choice forms will be viewed and scrutinised by the Year Head to ensure that young people are choosing an ambitious S4 experience.

I am interested in the School College Partnership.  How does it work?  How do I apply?

The School College Partnership is provided by Perth UHI.  Young people have to make their way to Perth UHI using public transport and their Young Scot card.  In addition to placing the option on their course choice form, they will have to apply for college through the Perth UHI website.  Places are competitive and there is no guarantee that young people will be provided a place.  Help can be sought from Skills Development Scotland or your Head of House.

To apply, please see the details below from Perth UHI College: 

To apply for a course on the schools-college programme, pupils should add the subject to their school course choice form, and must apply for the college course via the college website. Applications are open between Monday 16 February and Friday 13 March. Applications are considered after 13 March, and in many cases pupils will be invited to a short interview with subject staff. SCP courses will start in the week of Monday 01 June 2026.

Note that several SCP courses are oversubscribed, and it is important for the pupil to make a good impression on their application form and at interview.

Applications for schools-college courses at UHI Perth can be completed online here:

School, College Partnership - Courses for School Pupils

Select course from the list and read the information given.

Pupils and staff can read details of the course to check content, level, and so on.

Please check the information on ‘Attendance pattern’ which explains when this course runs.

Click “Apply” – any time between Monday 16 February and Friday 13 March.

 

The application form includes questions on the following, which pupils may wish to prepare in advance:

• An email address where we can send information on offers and interviews. (Wherever possible, this should be the email of the pupil or family, not a guidance teacher).
• SQA Candidate number if known.
• Current school.
• Home address and a contact phone number.
• Tell us about your motivation to study this course. (max 200 words).
• Why do you think you will succeed in this course? (max 200 words).
• Tell us about any relevant experience. (max 200 words).
• A list of qualifications already obtained.
• A list of qualifications to be sat this year.

 

Following application, pupils can log in to the UHI Applicant Portal to view the status of their application, and to accept or decline their place.

When is the S3 into S4 Course Choice window?

The course choice window opens on 14 January and closes on 23 January (after the S3 Parents' Evening).

Why are we asking you about your likely destination?

On the back of the course choice form, we are collecting data on the intended leaving date, destination and area that you are interested in.  We use this information to plan supports and interventions from Skills Development Scotland, ensuring that all young people enter a positive, sustainable destination.

What does the progress within the levels mean?

Each subject has a level in front of it 01 (First), 02 (Second), 03 (Third) and 04 (Fourth).  The broad expectations of when each level should be achieved by are set out below from National expectations.  However, this varies depending on each young person.

 

After each level, there is a letter (V, W or X).  The letter explains where a young person is within each level.  V (Emerging), W (Enhancing) and X (Extending).  Further information is set out below to help young people and parents to understand.

Can I pick up new courses?

No, unless you intend on leaving school at the end of S4.  There are a few courses that are being offered in S4 that do not have progression into Higher level, and therefore you should not choose these unless you plan to leave school.

The School College Partnership is a good example of a pathway of leaving and going onto college/apprenticeship or employment.