Transitioning from P7 to S1 – Your Journey Begins

Starting S1 at Portobello High School is an exciting milestone, filled with new opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with others. As part of your transition from Primary 7 to Secondary 1, you’ll experience a broad and engaging curriculum designed to build confidence, independence, and essential skills for the years ahead.

A key feature of S1 at Portobello is our ‘School Of…’ Programme—an innovative and dynamic initiative that allows young people to explore a range of exciting subjects beyond their core timetable. Through this programme, you’ll have the chance to:

Our S1 “School of …” programme invites young learners to embark on an exciting journey of discovery and personal growth, one that extends well beyond the traditional classroom. Over the course of the year, pupils will develop new skills in creativity, technology, leadership and well-being, all within a fun, hands-on environment that encourages curiosity, teamwork and lasting friendships with peers from across the year group. Whether it’s experimenting with digital design, developing skills in language and communcation, or leading a small team project, each session is designed to spark new interests and uncover hidden talents.

The timetable for the programme is carefully structured to balance breadth and depth of learning. Every Tuesday afternoon (double period) and Friday morning (single period) is dedicated to a rotating selection of “School of …” options, some of which will run throughout the year while others allow pupils to change direction at Christmas. In addition, Thursday afternoons are devoted to well-being blocks, delivered in seven-week cycles, where pupils explore resilience, mental health and life skills. At the end of our three-day induction visit, each pupil will receive a choice form, supported by this background information, to confirm their preferred options and ensure that they embark on subjects best aligned to their aspirations.

For those who demonstrate exceptional ability and maturity in Music, Physical Education or Modern Languages, the programme also offers an accelerated pathway into National Qualifications at Levels 4 and 5 during S3. Subject teachers will nominate high-performing pupils towards the end of S2, and young people will be encouraged to select those subject aresa into S3. The enriched curriculum will immerse learners in advanced composition and leadership in Music; coaching methods and performance analysis in PE; and extended communicative competence, and literary appreciation and in Languages. Regular formative checkpoints and study-skills workshops will ensure that pupils are fully prepared for internal and external assessments, with an option to defer examination entry to S4 should further consolidation be required.

The S1 “School of …” programme is more than just a series of courses; it is an opportunity to shape your child’s learning from day one, challenge them to achieve their best, and open doors to future possibilities.

For more information regarding this sessions ‘School Of…’ and Wellbeing electives please access the document here