Related subjects (including new subjects) are grouped together under a Head of Faculty. Subject teachers each undertake responsibility for particular courses.

The aims of the faculty system are:

to encourage the development and integration of the curriculum beyond traditional subject boundaries
to provide strong leadership for the teaching and learning activities of the school
to ensure that whole-school policies and initiatives are followed-through in the day-to-day activities of the classroom

The Heads of Faculty work in close association with the Director of Studies and are members of the Senior School Management Team.

The activities of music and sport go significantly beyond the classroom and as such retain their own Directors.

Parents' questions or concerns about teaching or a pupil's progress in a particular subject should be addressed to the appropriate Head of Faculty.

Senior School Curriculum

The secondary curriculum is intended to give a broad base of studies in the first two years and thereafter to allow increasing specialisation through choice as pupils move up the school. The constrictions placed on choice and combinations of subjects are kept to a minimum to allow the best possible fit between the needs of the individual pupil and the practicalities of running a school timetable.

In S1 and S2, all pupils follow a common curriculum with the exception of those on the learning support programme which takes the place of French.

In S3 and the first term of S4, pupils follow an internally-devised curriculum in English, Mathematics, RE and six option subjects. In the January of S4, pupils begin Higher courses in English, Mathematics and their six option subjects. Most will then take the first unit of Higher at the end of S4 (or Intermediate 2 exams in modern languages). The National Units gained are stand-alone qualifications in their own right and appear on the SQA certificate.

Pupils do not sit Standard Grades at the College.

Pupils entering S5 choose, in addition to English, four subject options to examination at Higher the following summer.

In Sixth Year, pupils choose from a wide range of courses leading to Advanced Highers and/or 'AS' or 'A' Levels, or other qualifications.

Curriculum Guides detailing courses and options at each stage are available on the school's website.

The available combinations of subjects will change from year to year. In S5/6 subjects will usually need to attract at least 5+ pupils to be viable.

S1/2	S3/4	S5	S6
FACULTY of MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
*Mathematics	*Mathematics	Mathematics H	Mathematics AL Further Maths AS
*Biology	Biology	Biology H	Human Biology AL
*Chemistry	Chemistry	Chemistry H	Chemistry AL
*Physics	Physics	Physics H	Physics AL
			Astronomy GCSE
*ICT	ICT	Computing Studies H Information Systems H
FACULTY of LANGUAGES and ARTS
*English	*English	*English H	English Literature AL
			Media Studies H
*French	French Int2	French H	French AH
	Italian Int2	Italian H	Italian AH
	Spanish Int2	Spanish H	Spanish AH
			Russian Int2
*Latin	Latin	Latin H	Latin AH
*Greek (in S2)	Greek	Greek H
			Classical Studies H
*Art	Art	Art & Design H	Art & Design AH
			History of Art NU
*Drama	Drama	Drama H
*Music	Music	Music H	Music AH
FACULTY of HUMANITIES
*History	History	History H	History AH
*Geography	Geography	Geography H	Geography AL
	Business Studies	Business Management H
	Economics	Economics H	Economics AH
		Modern Studies H	Modern Studies AH
*RE	*RE	*RE	*Theology
			Philosophy AS and AL
			Child Development First Aid
physical education
Physical Education Games *Outdoor Ed (S1)	Games Outdoor Ed (S4)	*Games Physical Education Int2	*Games Sports Science GCSE Sports Leadership
other timetabled activities
Electives Assembly Learning Support	*Assembly	*Assembly	Debate & Lecture Assembly

*compulsory courses
Int2 = Intermediate 2
H = Higher
AH = Advanced Higher
NU = National Unit (at Higher)
A = 'A' Level
AS = 'AS' Level
GCSE = General Certificate of Secondary Education

Outdoor Education is a residential four day course in May for S1 pupils and in August for S4 pupils. Attendance is compulsory.