S3-S4

The S3-4 Curriculum is designed to provide pupils with experience of certain core subjects while also allowing choice from a range of subjects to satisfy their interests. In S3, pupils choose eight subjects and embark on a two-year curriculum where they work towards Scottish National Qualifications.

Each pupil is assigned to a House (Blackfriars, Collyhill, Sillerton or Straloch), Head of Guidance and Form Teacher for the duration of their Senior School years, and these members of staff have a vital role to play in the pastoral support of pupils. Throughout S3 and S4, pupils receive one period of Personal and Social Education (PSE) per week with their Guidance Teacher. The content of PSE focuses on health, relationships, study skills, careers, interpersonal skills, safety and citizenship. Also covered are more topical and sensitive issues such as relationships and the challenges of growing up in modern British society.

S3-S4 Curriculum Booklet

S3-S4 Curriculum

All S3-S4 pupils study English and Mathematics. In addition, they then choose a further three subjects, one each from the following groups:

A language other than English (Classical Greek, French, German, Latin, Mandarin or Spanish)
A science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
A social subject (Business Management, Economics, Geography, History, Modern Studies, or Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies)

And three further subjects* from:

Accounting
Art and Design
Biology
Business Management
Chemistry
Classical Greek GCSE
Computing Science
Drama
Economics
Engineering Science
French
Geography
German
Graphic Communication
History
Latin
Mandarin
Modern Studies
Music
PE (from August 2022)
Physics
RMPS
Spanish

*It is not possible to study all three Creative and Aesthetic subjects (Art and Design; Drama and Music); all three courses offered by the Business Studies Department (Accounting, Economics and Business Management) or all four Modern Languages (French, Mandarin, German and Spanish). This is to ensure that pupils’ options remain open for the future.

Additionally, in S3, pupils participate in two periods of PE and a Sport afternoon per week. In S4, pupils participate in one period of PE and a Games afternoon per week. Pupils continue with one period of Personal and Social Education and one of core RMPS throughout S3 and S4 and in S4 receive one period of Information and Communications Technology.

Guidance and Careers

Tradition of Academic Success

Robert Gordon's College operates an open presentation policy and at the end of S4 pupils will sit the National 5 examinations.

Our tradition of academic strength is underlined by year on year examination success.

95.1% S4 National 5 A-C Passes
86.2% S4 National 5 A-B Passes
70.5% S4 National 5 A Passes
64 pupils achieved 8 As

Broad Curriculum

S3-S4 pupils study eight courses at National 5 with 26 options to choose from.