Deploying seven modes in the middle years is meant to help pupils concentrate on what they are good at or interested in, allowing them to opt for six periods of a subject.
In the S4-S6 curriculum, more pupils would be drawn together for course options and timetabling, removing the age and stage issues in planning Higher Still. The size of some minority subjects would rise and more coherent groups would emerge, reducing teaching at two levels, a concern of staff.
Course changes could be renegotiated between S4 and S5.