Scots pupils losing out on exam choice
MORE than a quarter of Scottish schools have cut the number of Highers or Advanced Highers on offer since the SNP came to power, new figures have shown.
At least 91 high schools have dropped a total of 289 exam courses over the past three academic years, many in mainstream subjects such as maths or science. Seven Scottish schools have cut four or more Highers, and 18 have cut four or more Advanced Highers.
For a full list of schools and the subjects dropped - please see below...
Parents fear the lack of options is damaging their children’s chances of getting into university, and the revelation is likely to pile more pressure on Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop.
Conservative education spo-keswoman Liz Smith exposed the full extent of the problem after requesting details from all 32 Scottish local authorities, going back to 2006. Yesterday she blamed the Scottish Government for slashing education budgets and said it exposed the SNP’s “rhetoric” on boosting science, modern languages and technology as a “sham”.
However, Scottish Government and education officials described the claims as “misleading” because many schools are working together to offer exam courses and a record number of pupils are sitting Highers and Advanced Highers this year.
For a full list of schools and the subjects dropped - please see below...
Ms Smith said: “It is totally unacceptable that the career choices of many of our pupils are being compromised because they cannot choose the subjects they need for entry to further and higher education and totally unacceptable that schools feel under pressure to restrict the curriculum because of tight budgets. Fiona Hyslop and the Scottish Government face a major headache over this issue especially at a time when SNP education policy has inflicted so many other pressures on schools.”
She added that the record number of students sitting the exams only showed that there had been no fall in demand.
Glennifer High School in Paisley, has the worst record in Scotland, having dropped a total of 14 subjects, followed by Johnstone High School with 11. Both schools are in SNP-run Renfrewshire where a council spokesman said: “Some of the subjects which are being cut were being piloted. There tur-ned out to be little demand for philosophy and film studies.”
Highers and Advanced Highers Courses
Information given in response to FOI requests from Local Councils
1. List of Secondary schools that have reduced provision of highers courses
2. List of Secondary schools that have reduced provision of advanced highers courses
3. For schools named for the above conditions, the subjects that are no longer being offered.
** Indicates a council which has not yet submitted its report
Aberdeen City Council **
Aberdeenshire Council
1.Reduced Highers
No Schools Reported
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No Schools Reported
3. Subjects no longer offered
No additional information
Angus Council
1. Reduced Highers
Forfar Academy
Montrose Academy
Webster’s High School
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Forfar Academy
Montrose Academy
Webster’s High School
3. Subjects no longer offered
Forfar Academy:
Highers – Religious, Moral, and Philosophical Studies; Gaelic (learners); Spanish; Product Design
Advanced Highers – Applied Mathematics; Gaelic (learners); History; Home Economics (Health and Food Technology); Technological Studies
Montrose Academy:
Highers – Media Studies
Advanced Highers – Business Management; History; Modern Studies
Webster’s High School:
Highers – Administration; Drama; Italian
Advanced Highers – Art and Design: Expressive; Computing; Italian
Clackmannanshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
No schools have reduced highers
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No schools have reduced advanced highers
3. Subjects no longer offered
NA
Dumfries and Galloway Council
1. Reduced Highers
Stranraer Academy
Annan Academy
Dumfries High School
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No Schools Reported
3. Subjects no longer offered
Stranraer Academy: Highers – Psychology; Media Studies
Annan Academy: Highers – Accounting and Finance; Philosophy
Dumfries High School: Highers – Home Economics
Dundee City Council **
East Ayrshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
Auchinleck Academy
Grange Academy
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Stewarton Academy
Auchinleck Academy
3. Subjects no longer offered
Auchinleck Academy
Highers – Philosophy, Business Management
Advanced Highers – Graphic Communication, Business Management
Grange Academy: Highers – Psychology
Stewarton Academy: Advanced Highers – Computing
East Dunbartonshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
No schools reported
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No schools reported
3. Subjects no longer offered
No additional information
East Lothian Council **
East Renfrewshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
No schools reported
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Barrhead High
Eastwood High
St. Luke’s High
3. Subjects no longer offered
Barrhead High: Advanced Highers – French, Geography
Eastwood High: Advanced Highers - Drama
St. Luke’s High: Advanced Highers – Chemistry; Drama
The City of Edinburgh Council
1. Reduced Highers
Balerno
Craigroyston
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Balerno
Liberton
3. Subjects no longer offered
Balerno:
Highers – Graphic Communication; Modern Studies; Drama; Accounting
Advanced Highers – Business Management; Geography; Applied Maths; English; Biology
Craigroyston: Highers – Spanish; Graphic Communication; Product Design
Liberton: Advanced Highers – Chemistry; Geography; Graphic Communication; Music
Falkirk Council
1. Reduced Highers
No schools reported
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Bo’ness
Braes
Falkirk
Grangemouth
Larbert
3. Subjects no longer offered
Bo’ness: Advanced Highers – Biology; Business Management; Computing; Drama; Geography; Graphic Communication; French; History
Braes: Advanced Highers – Business Management; Graphic Communication; Modern Studies; Physics
Falkirk: Advanced Highers – PE; Physics
Grangemouth: Advanced Highers – Art & Design
Larbert: Lifestyle & Communication Technology
Fife Council
1. Reduced Highers
Beath
Glenrothes
Kirkcaldy
St. Andrews
Queen Anne
Waid
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
St. Andrews
Waid
3. Subjects no longer offered
Beath: Highers – Accounts; Health and Food Technology
Glenrothes: Highers – RMPS
Kirkcaldy: Highers - French; German; Information Services
St. Andrews:
Highers – Information Services
Advanced Highers - French
Queen Anne: Highers – Classics
Waid:
Highers – German
Advanced Highers – Geography; Art & Design Portfolio Preparation
Glasgow City Council
1. Reduced Highers
All Saints
Cleveden Secondary
Govan High
Lochend Community High
Shawlands Academy
Springburn Academy
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Cleveden Secondary
Eastbank Academy
Hillhead High
John Paul Academy
Knightswood Secondary
Lochend Community High
Rosshall Academy
Shawlands Academy
3. Subjects no longer offered
All Saints: Highers – Urdu
Cleveland Secondary:
Highers – Spanish; Classics; Modern Studies
Advanced Highers – Computing; English; German; Chemistry; Geography; Modern Studies
Eastbank Academy: Advanced Highers – Chemistry; Classics; Latin; History
Govan High: Highers – Computing
Hillhead High: Advanced Highers – Chemistry; History; French; German; PE; Applied Maths: Mechanics
John Paul Academy: Advanced Highers – Art & Design; French; Maths; Spanish; Biology; Chemistry
Knightswood Secondary: Advanced Highers – Maths; English
Lochend Community High:
Highers – Geography; Chemistry
Advanced Highers – Drama
Rosshall Academy: Advanced Highers – Chemistry; Biology; Drama; Music
Shawlands Academy:
Highers – Biology; Health & Food Technology; Latin
Advanced Highers – Classics; Modern Studies; RMPS; PE
Springburn Academy: Highers – Computing, Geography, Product Design
Highland Council
1. Reduced Highers
Alness Academy
Invergordon Academy
Kingussie High School
Portree High School
Tain Royal Academy
Ullapool High School
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Charleston Academy
Golspie High School
Portree High School
Tain Royal Academy
Thurso High School
3. Subjects no longer offered
No additional information provided
Midlothian Council
1. Reduced Highers
Information provided inconclusive
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Beeslack
Dalkeith
Lasswade
Newbattle
Penicuik
3. Subjects no longer offered:
Beeslack: Advanced Highers – Applied Maths Statistics, History, German
Dalkeith: Advanced Highers – Biology
Lasswade: Advanced Highers – English, French, Applied Maths
Newbattle: Advanced Highers – Chemistry, Music, English, Physics
Penicuik: Advanced Highers – French, History, Product Design, German, Music with Performing & Technology
Moray Council
1. Reduced Highers
No change to highers offered in secondary schools
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No Change to advanced highers offered in secondary schools
3. Subjects no longer offered
No additional information
North Ayrshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
Greenwood Academy
Irvine Royal Academy
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No Schools Reported
3. Subjects no longer offered
Greenwood Academy: Highers – Technological Studies, Media Studies
Irvine Royal Academy: Highers - History
North Lanarkshire Council **
Orkney Islands Council
1. Reduced Highers
No change to highers offered in secondary schools
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No change to advanced highers offered in secondary schools
3. Subjects no longer offered
No additional information
Perth and Kinross Council
1. Reduced Highers
No change to highers offered in secondary schools
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No change to advanced highers offered in secondary schools
3. Subjects no longer offered
No additional information
Renfrewshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
Gleniffer
Gryffe
Johnstone
Linwood
Paisley Grammar
Park Mains
Renfrew
St. Andrew’s Academy
St. Benedict’s Academy
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Castlehead
Gleniffer
Gryffe
Johnstone
Linwood
Paisley Grammar
Park Mains
Renfrew
St. Andrew’s Academy
3. Subjects no longer offered
Castlehead: Advanced Highers - Physics
Gleniffer:
Highers: English Film, Hospitality, Media Studies, Information Systems, Craft and Design, Woodworking Skills
Advanced Highers: Art, Music, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Graphic Communication, RMPS, Health and Food Technology
Gryffe
Highers: Accounting, Drama, German, Italian
Advanced Highers: Geography
Johnstone:
Highers: Home Economics, Latin, Maths, Modern Studies, Music, Personal Development, Product Design, Philosophy
Advanced Highers: Music, Biology, Graphic Communications, History, French
Linwood
Highers: Business Management
Advanced Highers: Maths, Art and Design, Graphic Communications
Paisley Grammar
Highers: Computing
Advanced Highers: Chemistry, Physics, History, German
Park Mains
Highers: Drama, Hospitality
Advanced Highers: Drama
Renfrew
Highers: German, Human Biology, Italian, Personal Development, Product Design
Advanced Highers: English, Chemistry
St. Andrew’s Academy
Highers: Home Economics, Psychology
Advanced Highers: Geography, Product Design
St. Benedict’s Academy: Highers - Personal Development
Scottish Borders Council
1. Reduced Highers
Earlston High
Kelso High
Selkirk High
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Berwickshire High
Hawick High
Kelso High
Peebles High
3. Subjects no longer offered
Berwickshire High: Advanced Highers – Physical Education
Earlston High: Highers – Media Studies
Hawick High: Advanced Highers – French; Art & Design: Expressive; Art & Design: Design and Music: Performing
Kelso High:
Highers – Product Design; Accounting
Advanced Highers – Product Design; Physical Education
Peebles High: Advanced Highers – Geography
Selkirk High: Highers - Latin
Shetland Islands Council
1. Reduced Highers
No Schools Reported
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No Schools Reported
3. Subjects no longer offered
No additional information
South Ayrshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
Ayr Academy
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Prestwick Academy
Queen Margaret Academy
3. Subjects no longer offered
Ayr Academy: Highers – German; Italian; RMPS; Product Design
Prestwick Academy: Advanced Highers – Accounting; Modern Studies
Queen Margaret Academy: Advanced Highers – English; French
South Lanarkshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
Calderglen High
Carluke High
Cathkin High
Hamilton Grammar
Lanark Grammar
Stonelaw High
Trinity High
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Biggar High
Calderglen High
Calderside Academy
Carluke High
Cathkin High
Lanark Grammar
John Ogilvie High
Stonelaw High
Strathaven High
Larkhall Academy
Trinity High
3. Subjects no longer offered
Biggar High: Advanced Highers – Art and Design, Business Management, German, Home Economics, PE
Calderglen High:
Highers – Gaelic
Advanced Highers – Accounting, Gaelic
Calderside Academy: Advanced Highers – Drama, PE
Carluke High:
Highers – Classics, Latin
Advanced Highers - English, Music
Cathkin High:
Highers – Business Management
Advanced Highers – Music
Hamilton Grammar: Highers – Dance, German
Lanark Grammar:
Highers – Home Economics, RMPS
Advanced Highers – Administration, English, Geography, Latin
Larkhall Academy: Advanced Highers – Modern Studies
John Ogilvie High: Advanced Highers - History
Stonelaw High:
Highers – Administration, Information Systems
Advanced Highers – Business Management, Computing
Strathaven High: Advanced Highers – Computing, French, History
Trinity High:
Highers – French
Advanced Highers – English, Modern Studies, Physics
Stirling Council
1. Reduced Highers
No change to highers offered in secondary schools
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
No change to advanced highers offered in secondary schools
3. Subjects no longer offered
None
West Dunbartonshire Council
1. Reduced Highers
Dumbarton Academy
Vale of Leven Academy
St. Columba’s High School
Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
St. Columba’s High School (AH = 1)
St. Andrew’s High School (AH = 1)
Vale of Leven Academy (AH = 1)
3. Subjects no longer offered
Dumbarton: Highers – Accounting/Finance; Philosophy
Vale of Leven: Highers – Spanish
St. Columba’s High School: Highers – Technological Studies
Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School: Highers – Technological Studies
West Lothian Council **
Argyll & Bute Council **
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Council
1. Reduced Highers
Sir E Scott (H = 1)
Castlebay (AH = 3)
2. Reduced Advanced Highers
Castlebay (AH = 2)
3. Subjects no longer offered
No additional information
Inverclyde Council **