New Curriculum is Launched in Scottish High Schools

A new era is now underway in Scottish education.

The school term, which began on August 16, is the first term in which the much-anticipated Curriculum for Excellence will be in practice.

The curriculum was conceived some four years ago and its purpose, according to Learning and Teaching Scotland, the principal curriculum body for Scotland, is "encapsulated in the four capacities – to enable each child or young person to be a successful learner, a confident individual, a responsible citizen and an effective contributor".

To develop these four capacities, a set of statements describing expectations for learning and progression in the eight curriculum areas have been devised. The set of statements have been gathered under the title of "experiences and outcomes" in order to recognise "the importance of the quality and nature of the learning experience in developing attributes and capabilities and in achieving active engagement, motivation and depth of learning. An outcome represents what is to be achieved".

The changes, already in place in primary schools, will be introduced in the first year of high school and rolled out each year until it is in place for all high school years.

For more information, you can consult the Learning and Teaching Scotland.