S3 Course Option 2026-27
New S3 pupils should complete and return MS forms by 30th Jan with PTG interview by 20th February
Course Options are split into 3 categories:
- Core Subjects
- Learning Options - you should choose 6 of these subjects
- Skills Electives - you should 2 skills electives
Click on the links below to read about the subjects in more detail:
S3 Overview of subjects:
Marr College Building our Curriculum: Planning for 2026/27
Every year, we evaluate, review and refine our curriculum offer to allow our pupils to continue to experience a wide and varied curriculum whilst supporting their learning and wellbeing. We will continue to support and challenge our young people to achieve their potential and be proud of their past and ambitious for their future.
Our Broad General Education (BGE) through S1 - 3 is entirely underpinned by the principles of Scotland’s Curriculum which allows our young people to develop their knowledge, skills to allow our young people to be successful learners, responsible citizens, effective contributors and confidents individuals. Our BGE provides opportunities for development of skills for learning, life and work and an introduction to Project Based Learning (PBL). This year our S1 pupils experienced single teacher delivery in Social Subjects and Science including the introduction of double periods which received positive feedback from all stakeholders.
Our pupils in S1 – 3 experience a curriculum with personalisation and choice through skills and learning options which allow preparation for transition to specialism in the upper school. The school has worked in partnership with all stakeholders, and continues to do so, to build a curriculum, including developing new pathways, that strives to meet the needs of each and every learner.
Marr College, in consultation with students; staff; parents and learning partners, has developed a flexible Senior Phase, through free choice of options, which allows all learners to achieve the qualifications and experiences, skills and capacities necessary to achieve a positive and sustained destination at the end of the fourth, fifth or sixth year.
Our Senior Phase curriculum should prepare our students for challenges and issues that they face in today’s world whilst providing meaningful, challenging and relevant learning experiences at all levels. In South Ayrshire all schools are following “32+1” structure which means that Monday and Tuesday are 7 period days and Wednesday – Friday are all 6 period days. Our young people are able to study a wide variety of subjects enhancing their knowledge and skills through National Qualifications, SCQF Awards and through our Skills Academy ‘The Hive’ and work placements.
Our Broad General Education (BGE) through S1 - 3 is entirely underpinned by the principles of Scotland’s Curriculum which allows our young people to develop their knowledge, skills to allow our young people to be successful learners, responsible citizens, effective contributors and confidents individuals. Our BGE provides opportunities for development of skills for learning, life and work and an introduction to Project Based Learning (PBL). This year our S1 pupils experienced single teacher delivery in Social Subjects and Science including the introduction of double periods which received positive feedback from all stakeholders.
Our pupils in S1 – 3 experience a curriculum with personalisation and choice through skills and learning options which allow preparation for transition to specialism in the upper school. The school has worked in partnership with all stakeholders, and continues to do so, to build a curriculum, including developing new pathways, that strives to meet the needs of each and every learner.
Marr College, in consultation with students; staff; parents and learning partners, has developed a flexible Senior Phase, through free choice of options, which allows all learners to achieve the qualifications and experiences, skills and capacities necessary to achieve a positive and sustained destination at the end of the fourth, fifth or sixth year.
Our Senior Phase curriculum should prepare our students for challenges and issues that they face in today’s world whilst providing meaningful, challenging and relevant learning experiences at all levels. In South Ayrshire all schools are following “32+1” structure which means that Monday and Tuesday are 7 period days and Wednesday – Friday are all 6 period days. Our young people are able to study a wide variety of subjects enhancing their knowledge and skills through National Qualifications, SCQF Awards and through our Skills Academy ‘The Hive’ and work placements.
Broad General Education
S1 Curriculum
Our S1 pupils experience a wide range of subjects including a project-based learning approach in ‘SeaStory’. Learners will have the opportunity to gain an HWB award through experiences in PE and PSE. Our focus this year was to reduce the number of teaching staff experienced by each young person. We piloted an S1 Science Skills Lab and an integrated Social Subjects S1 course which culminates in an exciting IDL project at the end of S1.
S1 Curriculum
Our S1 pupils experience a wide range of subjects including a project-based learning approach in ‘SeaStory’. Learners will have the opportunity to gain an HWB award through experiences in PE and PSE. Our focus this year was to reduce the number of teaching staff experienced by each young person. We piloted an S1 Science Skills Lab and an integrated Social Subjects S1 course which culminates in an exciting IDL project at the end of S1.
S2 Curriculum
Our S2 pupils will further their learning in all curricular areas and will be able to choose from a range of electives for one period week (rotation half-way throughout year with Spanish). Pupils will also take part in further project-based learning through the Solar Punk Island challenge and Marseum (Daydream Believers) to further enhance their skills in communication, co-operation, listening, working with others as well as enhancing creative thinking and problem solving skills.
Our S2 pupils will further their learning in all curricular areas and will be able to choose from a range of electives for one period week (rotation half-way throughout year with Spanish). Pupils will also take part in further project-based learning through the Solar Punk Island challenge and Marseum (Daydream Believers) to further enhance their skills in communication, co-operation, listening, working with others as well as enhancing creative thinking and problem solving skills.
S3 Curriculum
Throughout the BGE, Marr College will provide learning experiences for all our students that will prepare and equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary for further study. We aim to:
‘provide learning in S3 which rounds off effectively the BGE phase and, at the same time covers learning which will prepare young
people well for the qualification courses they may follow in S4.’
Throughout the BGE, Marr College will provide learning experiences for all our students that will prepare and equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary for further study. We aim to:
‘provide learning in S3 which rounds off effectively the BGE phase and, at the same time covers learning which will prepare young
people well for the qualification courses they may follow in S4.’
Progression from the BGE to Senior Phase updated guidance, Education Scotland
Our Learning Options will include a free choice of discrete subjects within Expressive Arts, Languages, Health & Wellbeing, Social Sciences, Sciences and Technologies. Our Skills Option programme will be maintained and will possibly consist of the following choice of experiences: Duke of Edinburgh (Bronze), Fitness, Barista Skills, School of Rugby and Handball, Nail and Beauty Bar, Introduction to Accounting, John Muir Award.
The Senior Phase
S4 Curriculum
All students in S4 will study: Mathematics 5 periods; English 5 periods; a Core Curriculum consisting of Personal Support, PE, RMPS and PSE.
For the remaining 20 periods, students will choose at least 5 Learning Options, each studied for 4 periods per week, based on the options on offer. Students will be asked to choose the title and level of Learning Options they wish to continue with. PTS and PTG will in discussion with students and parents/carers, determine the most appropriate level.
The Senior Phase
S4 Curriculum
All students in S4 will study: Mathematics 5 periods; English 5 periods; a Core Curriculum consisting of Personal Support, PE, RMPS and PSE.
For the remaining 20 periods, students will choose at least 5 Learning Options, each studied for 4 periods per week, based on the options on offer. Students will be asked to choose the title and level of Learning Options they wish to continue with. PTS and PTG will in discussion with students and parents/carers, determine the most appropriate level.
S5 Curriculum
All students in S5 will choose 5 full options and a core curriculum of Personal Support, PSE and PE with inputs of RMPS.
All students in S5 will choose 5 full options and a core curriculum of Personal Support, PSE and PE with inputs of RMPS.
S6 Curriculum
Students in S6 will choose 5 full options, and a core curriculum of Personal Support, PSE and PE with inputs of RMPS. All of our S6 students are encouraged to take part in at least one period of Peer Tutoring within a department of their choice, some flexible work experience and a leadership task either through their role as a Buddy, Prefect, House Captain or School Captain.
Students in S6 will choose 5 full options, and a core curriculum of Personal Support, PSE and PE with inputs of RMPS. All of our S6 students are encouraged to take part in at least one period of Peer Tutoring within a department of their choice, some flexible work experience and a leadership task either through their role as a Buddy, Prefect, House Captain or School Captain.
