Lasswade High School Learner Achievement Pathway: Julie Broad General Education S1-3 Julie was successful in the Broad General Education. She enjoyed Maths and Art at primary where Art was taught integrated into projects. Transition to high school, mainly involved adjusting to a new timetable and lots more homework. Everything was new and different she had no favourite subject at this stage. During S1 she visited Benmore and Paris during the school’s suspended timetable. She joined the Drama club and took part in the end of year High School Musical. Her S1 English teacher commented: “Julie is making steady progress in English. She is keen to do well and works hard. Julie is developing her reading comprehension. I recommend that she not only keep up her Personal Reading at home, but also that she begins to read non-fiction articles on a regular basis.” During S2 she found Maths more challenging however she gained a place in one of the top sets In Lasswade High School. She joined the Basketball club and more social clubs with friends at the local community centre. Her Art teacher commented: “Julie has excellent observational skills which are displayed in her accurate drawings. She uses materials and techniques confidently with understanding, control and sensitivity. Julie can identify and discuss most aspects in Art & Design in a mature manner” During S3 she continued her interest in the 3 Sciences and liked Geography and Art – learning a variety of skills from her teachers. Graphics was a new subject which she really enjoyed in the Technology Elective. Julie volunteered with the Loanhead Brownie Pack and she continued with this out of school commitment until the prelims in S4. Julie’s Mathematics teacher commented: “Julie is a pleasure to teach. She works hard in class, I am delighted with the progress she has made in Mathematics. Julie is confident with Volume, Simultaneous Equations and Trigonometry. She should continue to work on Removing Brackets and Straight Line.” Senior Phase S4-6
S4 brought greater challenges in terms of independent learning & study – including revising for exams. Work Experience was with dad’s company a Mechanical Engineer – she found it a very interesting working environment. She now wanted to do Architecture, a 7 year course which seemed possible. This was a major influence in choosing subjects for S5: English, Mathematics, Physics, Product Design and Art at Higher Level. Mathematics with a creative route was where interest focused. She went to Sorrento with the Geography Department after her exams. Waiting for the results in August was seriously nerve racking for her but she was really pleased with results. In S5 she became a prefect and was involved in several duties including organizing Parents Evenings. She also started a part time job and worked for 6 months in a shoe shop. She undertook volunteer work with Volunteer Scotland at a Care Home in Loanhead. As part of the School’s LEAPS Pathways programme with Edinburgh University (still aiming for Architechture) she participated in tours of the University and during the extended summer school went in evenings to talks about the university and learned more about student life during the day. A of week of extended work experience (in the February Holiday of her Senior Phase) was undertaken in Architecture with a City Firm from which she received outstanding reports and it further inspired and motivated her to do well in her final exams. In S6 she chose 3 Advanced Highers: Mathematics, Product Design and Art. In S6 Julie was chosen as a Deputy Head Girl, At her interview she spoke about improving the schools buddies – she declared to the School’s new Headteacher that ‘P7 need more than two visit days’. She spoke passionately about the community use of the school. The Headteacher supported her to improve these areas of the school with input from the rest of her Student Head
Team and other school staff. In her role on the Head Team, she took on more responsibility – tours, open evenings, parent council membership, opening of the new school and she became really involved with improving the school buddying system. She was Head of Prefects on Thursdays, a leadership role from which she collected a Millennium Volunteer Award. She is part of the Yearbook Group and also enjoyed this leadership opportunity responsibility. In terms of service to the school, she supported an Art club for S1 pupils on Monday lunchtimes with her Art teacher and some other S6 students. She learned to drive.and started another new job in Hallmark at Cameron Toll at 12 hours per week! In her S6, Julie followed on from her S5 LEAPS Summer School by completing a LEAPS week, building a mini portfolio for her University Application Form. During the October Break she visited three universities for tours, talks and further application and course advice. From these experiences and her enjoyment of her Advanced Higher studies, she decided to change her career ambition away from Architecture to Product Design. She also visited New York in the February Break. Attainment Awards: Julie National Qualification
Subject
Award
Year
National 5 National 5 National 5 National 5 National 5
B A A A A
S4 S4 S4 S4 S4
National 5 National 5
English Mathematics Art & Design Physics Graphic Communications Geography Chemistry
A B
S4 S4
National Qualification Higher Higher Higher Higher Higher
Subject English Mathematics Art & Design Physics Product Design
Award C B B B A
Year S5 S5 S5 S5 S5
She gained 3 Advanced Highers in Mathematics, Product Design and Art. Positive Destination: Unconditional offer of a place at Heriot-Watt University in Product Design