NARROWING of subject choice in Scottish schools is now hitting Highers and Advanced Highers, teachers have warned.
Previous evidence has shown timetabling restrictions are preventing pupils in more than half of schools from choosing more than six subjects in S4 - when National 4s and National 5s are studied.
The Scottish Government and schools’ quango Education Scotland has argued greater flexibility under Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) means pupils can pick up qualifications later on.
However, a new survey of teachers by the Scottish Parliament’s education committee has found concerns over narrowing of choice in S5 and S6, when pupils sit Highers and Advanced Highers.
Around two thirds of the 1,000 teachers who responded said the range of subjects had narrowed in S5 and S6 and more than 80 per cent said that was the case in S4.
Read more: Scottish pupils 'forced to take subjects they hate'
One teacher told the survey team: “There seems to be less of a drive to assist pupils to achieve higher qualifications for example Advanced Highers or ... Highers.”
Another response said: “It has been mentioned in front of pupils that Advanced Highers are expensive to run and therefore minimum class sizes before running are applied.”
Teachers said limits on subjects taught further down the school were having an impact on Higher choices.
One said: “Your S5 choices are already limited because of the subjects done in S4.”
Another responded: “Lack of curricular breadth as students study too few subjects in S4 limits what they choose to study in S5 and S6.”
A further response on the issue said: “Council policy of only having six subjects in S4 narrows choice. In S5 and S6 6 pupils have less scope to gain Highers.
Read more: Narrowing of curriculum 'putting education of pupils at risk'
“I think this goes against the broad education Scotland was always known for. It narrows the choice of Higher options too.”
Yesterday, The Herald revealed pupils are being forced to study subjects they “hate” because of a squeeze on qualifications.
A separate snapshot poll for the committee found 76 per cent of parents felt their children were not able to take all the subjects they wanted because of timetabling clashes between popular subjects.
A Scottish Government spokesman said CfE gave schools the freedom to design a three-year curriculum tailored to meet their needs.
He added: "Almost two-thirds now leave school in S6 and what matters is the qualifications and awards that pupils leave with, not what they study in a single year.
“Wherever possible schools should ensure young people can choose their preferred subjects in the senior phase, working with partners to make their offer as broad as possible.
"Young people also now have opportunities to study towards a much broader range of qualifications, not just at school, but also at college and through apprenticeships.”
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