Scottish Curriculum for Excellence

The Scottish Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is Scotland’s national curriculum for learners from ages 3 to 18. It aims to develop young people as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors to society. The CfE focuses on a broad general education up to age 15, followed by senior phase education for qualifications and pathways into further education, apprenticeships, or employment.

1. Structure of the Curriculum for Excellence

The CfE is organized into two main phases:

• Broad General Education (BGE): Ages 3-15 (up to the end of S3), covering early years through the end of the third year of secondary school. This phase focuses on exploring a wide range of subjects and skills.
• Senior Phase: Ages 15-18 (S4-S6), where students specialize in specific subjects and pursue qualifications like National 4 and 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher awards.

The curriculum is divided into eight curriculum areas and includes a set of four capacities (personal development goals), experiences and outcomes (learning goals), and principles of curriculum design (breadth, depth, progression, coherence, relevance, challenge, enjoyment, personalization, and choice).

2. The Four Capacities of CfE

The CfE is built around four capacities, which aim to help each learner become:

1. Successful Learners: Developing curiosity, knowledge, and skills, including literacy, numeracy, and digital skills.
2. Confident Individuals: Building self-awareness, resilience, and independence.
3. Responsible Citizens: Encouraging respect, awareness of social and environmental responsibilities, and active participation in society.
4. Effective Contributors: Promoting teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills to contribute meaningfully to communities.

3. Curriculum Areas in the Broad General Education Phase (Ages 3-15)

During the BGE phase, students explore a wide range of subjects through experiences and outcomes (Es and Os), which outline learning goals for each subject. The curriculum areas are:

1. Languages (English and Modern Languages)

• Focus: Developing literacy, language proficiency, and communication skills.
• Components: Reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English and, from primary school onward, a second language (commonly French, Spanish, or German).
• Progression: Emphasis on creativity in writing, critical analysis of literature, and fluency in conversation, especially in secondary years.

2. Mathematics

• Focus: Building numeracy and mathematical understanding through real-world applications.
• Components: Number, money, measurement, shape, position, movement, data analysis, and problem-solving.
• Progression: In early years, the focus is on basic counting, shapes, and simple operations. By secondary school, students explore algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and basic statistics.

3. Health and Wellbeing

• Focus: Promoting physical, mental, and social health, with emphasis on resilience and decision-making.
• Components: Physical Education (PE), mental health education, nutrition, relationships, social skills, and personal safety.
• Progression: Physical activity, team sports, and health education in early years lead to personal fitness and health awareness in later years.

4. Sciences

• Focus: Inquiry-based learning in biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences to develop scientific thinking.
• Components: Life sciences (plants, animals, human body), physical sciences (energy, forces, materials), and environmental sciences.
• Progression: Hands-on exploration in primary years transitions to more specialized study in areas like genetics, chemical reactions, and energy sources in secondary years.

5. Social Studies

• Focus: Understanding people, place, society, and the environment, including historical and geographical knowledge.
• Components: History, geography, modern studies, environmental studies, and an understanding of Scottish, UK, and global perspectives.
• Progression: Early years focus on local communities and Scottish history, expanding to world history, human geography, and societal issues by secondary school.

6. Expressive Arts

• Focus: Fostering creativity, self-expression, and cultural appreciation through the arts.
• Components: Art, music, drama, and dance.
• Progression: Students experiment with different forms of expression, building confidence in creativity and learning technical skills in visual arts, performing arts, and musical instruments.

7. Technologies

• Focus: Developing digital literacy, practical skills, and problem-solving abilities through technology.
• Components: Information and communication technology (ICT), food technology, textiles, design and engineering, and digital literacy.
• Progression: Basic ICT skills are introduced in early years, moving to coding, design thinking, and engineering principles in secondary years.

8. Religious and Moral Education (RME)

• Focus: Promoting ethical understanding, moral reasoning, and respect for diversity.
• Components: Study of major world religions, ethical and moral issues, Scottish cultural values.
• Progression: Children learn about various religious beliefs and explore moral and ethical questions relevant to their lives and communities.

4. The Senior Phase (Ages 15-18)

In the Senior Phase (S4-S6), students work towards National Qualifications and tailor their education to align with future career or higher education goals. The primary qualifications are:

• National 4 and 5: Taken in S4, these qualifications cover foundational subjects. National 4 courses are internally assessed, while National 5 courses are externally assessed and graded.
• Higher: Taken in S5 or S6, Highers are essential for university admissions in Scotland and the UK.
• Advanced Higher: Taken in S6, Advanced Highers provide further specialization and are equivalent to first-year university courses, especially useful for competitive courses.

Students can choose from a wide range of subjects in areas such as Sciences, Mathematics, Languages, Humanities, Arts, Technologies, Physical Education, and Social Studies. Work placements, apprenticeships, and skills-based learning are integrated for students pursuing vocational pathways.

5. Assessment and Progression in the Curriculum for Excellence

The CfE uses a continuous assessment approach that focuses on formative assessments (ongoing feedback) and summative assessments (final exams and project work) to track progress. Assessment focuses on skills, knowledge, and attitudes as outlined in the experiences and outcomes.

• Assessment in Broad General Education (BGE): Continuous feedback and periodic assessments, with a focus on meeting the Es and Os.
• National Qualifications in Senior Phase: In S4 to S6, students are assessed through exams and coursework at National 4, National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher levels.

6. Key Features and Strengths of the Curriculum for Excellence

• Personalized Learning: CfE emphasizes personalization and choice, allowing students to explore their interests and strengths through interdisciplinary projects.
• Focus on Skills Development: The curriculum aims to develop core competencies such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, digital literacy, and resilience.
• Broad and Balanced Curriculum: The CfE provides a well-rounded education through a wide range of subjects, arts, and life skills.
• Global Awareness and Citizenship: Social studies, RME, and interdisciplinary projects promote global understanding, respect for diversity, and responsible citizenship.
• Preparation for Life Beyond School: The senior phase offers flexibility with academic and vocational pathways, helping students transition to further education, work, or apprenticeships.

7. Cross-Curricular Learning and Interdisciplinary Projects

A unique feature of the CfE is the promotion of cross-curricular learning through interdisciplinary projects, which integrate subjects to address real-world issues, like sustainability, health, or community development. This approach helps students see connections between subjects and apply learning in practical ways.