Wick High School and its associated primary schools, in common with schools throughout Scotland are currently involved in this programme.  National guidelines on what pupils should be learning in the primary school and the first two years of secondary school have been produced.  One of the main purposes of the 5-14 Development Programme is to ensure proper progression for pupils from primary to secondary school.  

Assessment

In order to offer parents information on their child's progress in a national framework, all departments in the school provide information on levels of attainment as indicated by classwork.

There are six levels of attainment (A - F).

•  Level A :     should be attainable in the course of Primary 1-3 by almost all pupils
•  Level B :     should be attainable by some pupils in Primary 3 or even earlier but certainly by most in Primary 4
•  Level C :     should be attainable in the course of Primary 4 - 6 by most pupils
•  Level D :     should be attainable by some pupils in Primary 5 - 6 or even earlier but certainly by most in Primary 7
•  Level E :     should be attainable by some pupils in Primary 7/Secondary 1 but certainly by most in Secondary 2
• Level F :      may be attained by some pupils by the end of S2 and will offer work of a more challenging nature to those pupils who have attained level E.

It is to be expected that pupils will progress through levels at different rates but this information will provide a general guide for parents to indicate how their child is progressing no matter which school in Scotland he or she is attending.

In addition, when the teacher judges that a pupil is ready to move from one level to another in English Language (Reading and Writing) or in Mathematics, the teacher will use material from a bank of national tests to confirm that judgement.  This information about National test performance will be made available to parent.

Reports for S1 pupils are issued in May and for S2 in March.

For each subject an assessment will be given of a pupil’s level of attainment, using the A to F scale outlined above.  In addition, the English and Maths reports will show the result of any National Tests which have been carried out in the course of the year.  The report will also highlight a pupil’s strengths and give some suggestions as to what the next steps in learning ought to be.  Second year reports include prognoses of likely levels of Standard Grade performance.

 FIRST AND SECOND YEAR COURSES

As is the case in most Scottish schools, pupils in the first two years of the secondary school follow a common course.  The subjects studied in the common course are

• English 
• Technical, including Technology
• Mathematics     
• History
• French  
• Geography
• Art     
• Science
• Physical Education      
• Music
• Home Economics  
• Religious Education
• Personal and Social Education   
• Computing

Pupils in S1 and S2 are organised in mixed ability classes with proportional representation from associated Primary Schools.  However in S1 and S2, pupils in Mathematics classes are banded according to ability.  

The class structure for session 2009-10 is:-

    8 classes in S1  

     8 classes in S2.

All classes in S1 and S2 are 20 pupils maximum.