Yeargroups

The First Year

First year can be a scary and intimidating time for all concerned.

For parents it's the knowledge that their once young and dependant child is no longer a child, but is actually becoming an adult. Pupils themselves know that it's time for leaving their primary school behind and becoming the small fish in the huge pond.

At BBHS we try to make this transition as pleasant as possible for all concerned and our guidance staff are always on hand to offer any advice to pupils and parents. First year is a year where mixed ability classes exist and teachers will arrange their classes accordingly. Class sizes are generally from 27 to 30 pupils and practical work classes are a maximum size of 20.

The Second Year

In Second Year, pupils need to start their course choices for their Standard Grades so it can be a demanding year for them. From now they will need to try hard in all their classes because the grades they get determine what level they will be in for Standard Grade.

Because Second Year can be quite a difficult year with course choices etc. We try to make it as easy as possible for you when it comes to this time and our guidance teachers are the ones that the pupils will turn to for advice and answers.

The Third Year

In Third Year, pupils start their Standard Grades that they chose in Second Year.

In general, Third Year pupils study English, the language they studied in First and Second Year, Mathematics, at least one science, the social subjects, creative and aesthetic studies, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Social Education and Technology. This might be described as the core.

Thereafter, courses vary according to the balance struck between the sciences, languages, and practical or aesthetic subjects. For those who are uncertain about their future, which is probably more than two thirds of pupils, the aim at this stage is to keep as many options open as possible.

At the end of Third Year, pupils will start their first real exams with their Third Year prelims. This can be the crucial time for some, because pupils may get the chance to move up a class from Foundation to General or from General to Credit.

The Fourth Year

In Fourth Year, pupils continue the course they have chosen, generally without change. At the end of Fourth Year, pupils sit their Standard Grade exams.

During the year, they will also have the opportunity to go on a work placement. A work placement gives the pupils an opportunity to learn about the real working world for a week. Although the placement is only for one week, it is ideal for pupils to find out if they actually want to do their chosen profession and decide on a career change if necessary.

For some pupils Fourth Year is their last year of school, Scottish law dictates that pupils are free to go, dependant on the date of their 16th birthday. This means that in Fourth Year, pupils are offered lots of career advice about what they want to do with their lives and are told which jobs may suit them better dependant on their qualifications.

Towards the end of fourth year, pupils returning to fifth year are interviewed by guidance staff or Assistant Rectors to discuss adjustments to courses that become necessary at this stage.

Towards the end of fourth year pupils have the opportunity to nominate themselves as prefects. This option is also open to Fifth Years staying on to Sixth Year.

The Fifth Year

In fifth year pupils may study Higher Grade subjects and Modular courses.

The Higher Grade courses are taught at various levels, including, Higher, Intermediate 2 and Intermediate 1. These courses lead to the award by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) of the Scottish Qualifications Certificate (SQC). Modules are courses each of around forty hours' duration, which leads to an award on the SQC.

In fifth year pupils continue to have opportunities to study and participate in Physical Education, Social Education and Religious Studies.

Fifth year is also a year when some pupils choose to leave for higher education in university. While others may have achieved superb results and can afford to take a year out working and earning money to save to go to university.

The Sixth Year

Sixth year can be a very interesting year for both teachers and pupils.

In the case of pupils it means the end of an era and a time of self-discovery. No more school at the end and there's definitely no going back any more. For the teachers, they can get the flags out and celebrate, another bunch of well mannered, socially skilled young intelligent people going out into the big wide world with their help.