Curriculum for Excellence is the Scottish curriculum for children and young people aged three to 18. A curriculum is the structure and content for children's learning.
Q: I am confused about all the words used about Curriculum for Excellence. Can you help?
For anyone new to the Scottish education system, getting used to the jargon of Curriculum for Excellence is a big learning curve. Why not suggest your school/Parent Council gives all parents a short summary of Curriculum for Excellence terminology when they start the school, using some of the information below? It’s worth putting it on the school website too. You’ll need to understand some of it so you can know what teachers are talking about!
- Nursery for 3-5 year olds is now called ‘Early Learning and Childcare’.
- The school years in primary run from Primary 1 (P1) to Primary 7 (P7).
- The school years in secondary run from Secondary 1 (S1) to Secondary 6 (S6).
Curriculum for Excellence is made up of two stages:
- the Broad General Education (BGE) - from nursery for ages 3-5 to S3 in secondary school)
- the Senior Phase - S4 to S6. The Senior Phase can include learning options in college, online and with other organisations.
In the Broad General Education, there are five learning Levels: Early (nursery to the end of P1), First (P2 to P4), Second (P5 to P7), Third and Fourth (usually completed by the end of S3 when the Broad General Education ends). It is important in Curriculum for Excellence that children learn and progress at their own pace. This means some children will complete Levels quickly and others will take longer. Class teachers know how to organise learning and teaching to meet children’s needs.
Curriculum for Excellence includes eight subject areas: sciences, languages (English, Gaelic, classical and modern languages), mathematics, expressive arts, social studies, technologies, health and wellbeing, religious and moral education.
There are ‘experiences and outcomes' ('Es and Os') in each of these subject areas for all Levels. The 'experiences' are what children learn and the 'outcomes' are what children can do (the skills they have) as a result of their learning experiences. There are then 'benchmarks' which gives teachers/early years professionals are understanding of children's achievements. Together, these make sure children learn in steps, moving through the Levels, on to more detailed and challenging learning all the time.
The Senior Phase (S4 to S6/age 18) is when most young people work towards qualifications and awards. The Scottish Qualifications Authority is the main provider of qualifications and awards in the Senior Phase though there are many other qualifications and awards offered at school, college or with other organisations eg youth clubs may offer the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme or John Muir Awards. Apprenticeships are available too.
Q: I’m keen to help my child learn. What should I do?
Firstly, be interested in, and enthusiastic about, your child’s learning so they feel positive and excited about learning. You don’t have to understand what they’re learning, you just need to ask them about it, eg get them to explain/show what they’ve been learning. ‘Learning’ also includes lots of things your child does outside school, not just school work or homework which you might already help with. Outings, visits to the park or library, activities (dance, football etc) and clubs are fantastic opportunities for your child to learn new skills and grow in confidence. Also ask your school/Parent Council for suggestions and ask the class teacher to let parents know what children are learning.
Q: Will the school let me know how my child is doing?
Yes. Schools must share information about children’s learning with parents/carers. This is sometimes called ‘reporting children’s progress’. Schools and class teachers may share information in many ways eg formal school reports, online, events or visits, parent consultations/meetings or postcards/notes home. Ask your school/Parent Council to explain to parents how they will be kept informed about their child’s progress.
Q: I feel a bit worried as I don’t really know how my son is getting on. What should I do?
If you feel concerned about anything, do contact the school office to ask who you can speak to about your concern. Sometimes schools give contact information to parents when their child starts school – hang on to it! Or look at the school website, if possible. Don't be put off - you have a right to information about your son.
Q: My child is dyslexic, like me. Reading is still a real struggle and I don’t know how to help her.
Schools are required to provide additional support for learning for difficulties such as dyslexia. Schools can often identify quite specific aspects of conditions such as dyslexia, along with strategies for helping. For example, a coloured film over a white page can help some children. Or typing with a spellcheck option may be useful for older children. Ask the school’s learning support teacher or the class teacher for tips and ideas and about the help they are putting in place. Audio books are a great way to pick up more words and enjoy stories without any stress. Perhaps you could listen to stories together and chat about them afterwards? Picture books and graphic novels are other options. Have a look at Enquire's website here and also Dyslexia Scotland's website here for advice and support. Also, ask the school to make sure you get newsletters and school information in a way that works for you. Your Parent Council can help with this - you will be doing a favour to everyone else with dyslexia and other difficulties if you ask about inclusive communication!
Q: My S4 daughter is keen to leave school. The school is talking about ‘positive destinations’. What are these?
A: In Scotland, young people can legally leave school in the term after they are 16. However, it is a good idea to wait until courses for qualifications are finished, if possible. Schools must now have arrangements in place for ‘positive destinations’ for all leavers. This means the school will work with your daughter to help her find what she wants to do next. This could be college, work, an apprenticeship or volunteering. These are ‘positive destinations’ – anything that will help your daughter continue to learn and develop. Have a look at Skills Development Scotland's My World of Work website here for more ideas.