Learners at Queensferry High School will experience a curriculum that gives opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to adapt, think critically and excel beyond school to enable them to contribute successfully to our ever-changing world.
Please click the buttons below to take you to our interactive pathway for that area
Below are the slides from our Coursing Information Session.
Our wider achievement opportunities are listed below, please click on each one for more information. Please note, what wider achievements can be offered each session will depended on the preferences of the young people.
Barista Skills
This freestanding unit course is designed to enable learners to develop basic knowledge, understanding and technical skills required for the role of a barista. The unit covers how to operate specialist equipment to prepare and serve coffee and a variety of other drinks both hot and cold.
In doing this qualification, you will develop your knowledge as a professional barista – making drinks and serving customers to prepare you for future employment opportunities in the hospitality industry. This qualification would also be an asset to a CV if applying for part-time employment whilst studying at university or college.
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Course Name: Barista Award
Level(s): 5
Assessment: Performance evidence supplemented by checklists, questioning, evaluation throughout and evidence of outcomes via presentations for barista.
Creative and critical thinking
This course celebrates the importance of creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking; metaskills that will be required of a future workforce. Learn to develop your creative and critical thinking skills which will open up new opportunities for success academically and in future employment but will also support well-being, exploration, curiosity and the development of resilience.
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The main part of this course will be planning and implementing an interdisciplinary project that uses the skills they have gained/are developing through their qualifications.
It is important for you to realise from the outset that the IP is not like another Advanced Higher studies and investigations. The skills you develop and the process you go through as you complete the project are as important as the theme or topic of your research.
The Expressive Arts Interdisciplinary Project Unit (often referred to as the IP) offers you a challenging yet rewarding opportunity to develop your knowledge of expressive arts at Advanced Higher level and, at the same time, to develop the learning skills needed for future studies, employment and life. The IP encourages you to develop as an independent learner through taking ownership of, and responsibility for, your Project. It will help you broaden your experience outside school life and help you make the transition from school or college into higher or further education and employment.
Entry Requirements
Have achieved or are on track to achieve 2 Advanced Highers from a selection of subjects.
Have achieved or are on track to achieve 1 Higher from a selection of subjects.
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Course Name: Scottish Baccalaureate in Expressive Arts
Level(s): 7
Assessment: To pass the Baccalaureate, you must pass your eligible subjects and then complete your interdisciplinary project. The project is graded A, B or C. For the Baccalaureate you will either be awarded a ‘Pass’ or a ‘Pass with Distinction’. To get a ‘Pass’ you must successfully complete your 3 subjects with a minimum of a C pass. To achieve ‘Pass with Distinction’ you must gain the following:
Grade A in one Advanced Higher eligible Course
Grade A in one other component
Grade B or above in all other components
This course will enable learners to develop practical ceramic (clay) skills in both design and fine art sculptural contexts. Leaners will respond to a brief or stimulus, developing ideas for 3D clay work through sketchbook drawing and problem solving with clay. This will include learning how to prepare and handle clay, exploring a wide range of production techniques (including pinch, coil, slab, low relief) to loading the kiln, firing and application of glazes. The course focusses on hand building rather than wheel work.
This course will suit those who enjoy working in 3D, working with their hands and the more mindful aspect of Art & Design. The course will allow you to develop ceramics skills and problem-solving skills without the theory / process and high- level drawing skills required of the National or Higher courses.
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Course Name: Introduction to Ceramic Sculpture / Ceramics – Hand-built Forms / Ceramics: Hand Built
Level(s): 5 – 7
Assessment: There is no exam for this course, all work is internally assessed. Leaners will gather evidence in the form of sketchbook planning/ drawing, showcasing 3D work, checklists and evaluations.
Italian for Life and Work
This course will develop knowledge and skills in: Italian language, society, culture and employability. The qualification covers areas such as communication, self-awareness, confidence, leadership and independent learning.
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Unleash your voice and become a Language Leader!
Are you ready to lead, inspire, and take a leading role? Language leadership is your chance to sharpen your communication skills, embrace cultural diversity, and take charge as a role model for others. As a language leader, you’ll have the opportunity to mentor peers and drive positive change in your school community, supporting learners in QHS and in the Primary Cluster.
This Level 6 course, assessed in school, involves:
Whether you’re passionate about working with others, teaching, or simply helping others find their voice, this is your chance to shine. Step up, lead the way, and show the world how powerful words can be.
The future needs leaders like you—join us and make your mark!
Entry Requirements
You are not undertaking a leadership award in another curricular area.
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This Wider Achievement provides young people with the opportunity to gain an additional Advanced Higher if they are also studying AH Mathematics and Physics. It will develop logical reasoning, problem solving skills, critical thinking and the ability to think in abstract ways. It will benefit a young person wishing to study a STEM subject at university. Topics include:
Entry Requirements
Young people must be also choosing Advanced Higher Mathematics and Advanced Higher Physics.
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In this course you are focusing entirely on developing your performance skills on your chosen instrument/voice. You will prepare a programme of music of a minimum standard (L5,L6 or L7) and reflect on your progress throughout the year. If you already have 2 instruments to a certain standard you may be able to complete the NPA in Music Performance within this course too.
This course lets you focus fully on developing your skills on your chosen instrument or voice. It can be useful if you are working towards graded exams outside of school, looking to learn a new instrument and also provide an opportunity to push your performance skills to the next level.
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This wider achievement helps young people develop a deeper understanding and skillset relating to managing personal finances. Topics include:
Entry Requirements
Pass at National 5 Mathematics or National 5 Applications of Mathematics.
Also beneficial to Higher Mathematics pupils as this is not covered in their course.
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The Programme provides learners with an opportunity to develop the critical meta-skills that employers are looking for whilst gaining an understanding of sustainability.
The Challenge Programme is project-based, interdisciplinary learning where learners work in teams to solve real-world industry problems – set by businesses. It is continually assessed through a portfolio of evidence and learners interact with industry through support, mentorship and final presentations. More information can be found here.
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This Unit will enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of printmaking skills within art and design. This will include experimentation with a range of creative methods of printmaking, allowing students to develop awareness of related visual and compositional elements as well as gaining a practical print making skills set.
This course is suitable for those who have little to no experience print making or those who have experience already but want to enhance and develop their skills.
This course can open many doors if you love art and design a do want to develop a skill set or if you have very little art and design knowledge but want to explore a new avenue away from technical drawing and painting this is the course for you. Developing core skills such as problem solving and communication.
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Elevate your passion for football and become a certified referee with the SQA SFA Refereeing Course in Scotland. This comprehensive program is designed for aspiring referees of all levels who have a real passion and active role within football. Significant components of the course include:
Throughout the course, participants are expected to actively engage in referee games throughout the year. The curriculum comprises interactive workshops, practical sessions, and assessments, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.
This course equips you with essential knowledge about matchday responsibilities and game management techniques, fostering the confidence to officiate matches at various levels. Completing the course opens doors to officiating opportunities within clubs and competitions across Scotland, allowing you to turn your passion for football into a rewarding career.
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The study of Scotland – in terms of its people, languages (for example, Scots and Gaelic), society, culture, natural and built environment, and heritage – provides many opportunities for learners to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding, and to make connections across the curriculum. This is due to the fact that Scotland and its people have made, and continue to make, significant contributions in many areas of society both at home and abroad. These contributions have had, and will continue to have, lasting effects in areas such as the sciences, engineering, literature and language, the arts, business, industry and the media. Scottish society is diverse, encompassing people from a wide range of cultures and historical backgrounds. Through emigration and immigration, Scotland’s people and culture have influenced, and in turn been influenced by, the people and cultures of many other countries. The physical environment of Scotland is also diverse and attracts visitors from around the world.
This qualification will allow pupils to bring together work from other areas of the curriculum, allows time for learning and reflection, focuses on the development of skills and the application of learning and some personalised study of Scotland. The pupils will be able to complete a project that on anything they believe is interested personally as long as it relates to Scotland. This could be a project on Scottish football, Scottish rugby, Scottish food, Scottish music artists, Scottish celebrities, Scottish inventors, Scottish Scientists, the options are endless.
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Drama: Theatre Skills in Performance focuses on stage craft and performance. Candidates will work towards a production and will have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of production types including text based, touring theatre, community theatre, street theatre and site specific. Candidates will apply theatre skills to the rehearsal and performance of a role to an audience and will learn about the complementary roles of the Actor and Director. The Unit also provides candidates with the opportunity to evaluate their own theatre skills within a production.
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Level 6
The NPA will enable learners to develop their skills and knowledge in a volunteering capacity. They learn about the development of volunteering; plan a volunteering placement; review and reflect on their own skills during and after their volunteering experience (minimum 30 hours); review the impact of their experience; and undertake an investigation on an aspect of volunteering. Candidates will develop a range of skills and personal development experiences which will help to prepare them for responsibility, further education and employment.
Young people will develop awareness of the advantages of being an active citizen working to benefit the community that they live in. They will become more aware of sustainability through analysing how they can make their project sustainable and carry on within the volunteering organisation. They will increase value to future employers through the volunteering experience, with the skills and attributes developed while volunteering.
If doing Gold Duke of Edinburgh, this course links well with the volunteering section allows young people to gain an SQA qualification alongside their Gold DofE.
Level 5
Candidates will learn about the context of volunteering; plan a volunteering placement; review and reflect on their own skills developed during a volunteering experience (of a minimum of 20 hours); and complete an investigative project.
Young people will develop an understanding of what volunteering means and an understanding of the objectives of volunteering involving organisations and the role they play in their community. They will develop skills through volunteering and understand the benefits of volunteering to the volunteer, the agency/organisation and the wider community.
If doing Silver Duke of Edinburgh, this course links well with the volunteering section allows young people to gain an SQA qualification alongside their Silver DofE.
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Young Enterprise Scotland is a charity dedicated to promoting enterprise education among young people across Scotland. It provides programs and resources that help students develop essential skills for business, including creativity, financial literacy, and teamwork. The charity’s flagship initiative is the “Company Programme,” where young people form and manage their own businesses, learning about product development, marketing, and financial management. Through workshops, events, and competitions, Young Enterprise Scotland aims to inspire confidence, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit in students, preparing them for future careers and helping to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders.
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To support learning at home we have created a Family Learning Padlet, which can be accessed at the following link
We are proud to share with you our enhanced curriculum for 2025-26. In it you will find:
