Curriculum for Excellence update

Current developments Trialling Response to feedback Exemplification and guidance Refinement and revision Recognition of Achievement Assessment NQ consultation (10 th June to end October) Building the Curriculum 3

BTC 3 - Key Features A coherent and more flexible curriculum from 3 to 18 A focus on outcomes rather than inputs Focused on the needs of the child and young person – “the learner at the centre” Designed to develop the four capacities Integrated approach involving schools working in learning partnerships with other agencies

A coherent curriculum from 3 to 18 A broad general education from age 3 to the end of S3 with planned learning opportunities across all curriculum areas A senior phase with opportunities for qualifications and other planned opportunities to develop the four capacities All Children and Young People are Entitled to:

Opportunities to develop skills for life and skills for work, with continuous focus on literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing The best personal support to allow high levels of achievement Support in moving into a positive and sustained destination post school

The Early Level – Pre-school and P1 Builds upon the current holistic approach to curriculum design Provides stimulating contexts for active learning Encourages young children as partners in the learning process Provides opportunities to ensure successful transitions through the early level

The Primary Stages Builds on current practice in supporting children to develop as independent and cooperative learners Experiences and outcomes designed to create opportunities for challenging and enjoyable learning Curriculum - a blend of programmes and studies across curriculum areas, subjects, interdisciplinary projects and studies and opportunities for personal achievement Focus on literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing – literacy and numeracy being delivered through structured and progressive programmes for English language and mathematics Encourage staff to work collaboratively to review and plan structured and balanced programmes

S1 to S3 Positive transitions from primary A broad general education providing a strong platform for later learning and qualifications Breadth achieved through learning across all the experiences and outcomes in the eight curriculum areas up to the third curriculum level Learning through subjects and interdisciplinary projects and studies Continuing focus on skills for life and skills for work, literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing Most learners will progress towards fourth level in chosen areas at appropriate points during S1 to S3 Progress and achievements to be recognised at end of S3 Not expected that examinations will feature at this stage

The Senior Phase The stage at which the relationship between the curriculum and qualifications becomes of key importance Other planned opportunities for developing the four capacities Managing the curriculum in a more flexible way Consultation and review of qualifications

Consultation on the future arrangements for National Qualifications Parliamentary announcement –Consultation dates announced: Early June – end Oct 2008 Consultation proposals –Literacy and numeracy qualifications –New general qualification at SCQF levels 4 and 5 –All qualifications to be reviewed –Increased flexibility –Proposed timetable for introduction Scottish Science and Language Baccalaureates

Consultation on the future arrangements for National Qualifications Proposal 1: All National Qualifications to be reviewed to ensure consistency with Curriculum for Excellence. –Higher will remain the Gold Standard –Access, Higher and Advanced Higher retained as points of stability –Content updated to reflect the values, purposes and principles of Curriculum for Excellence –Some aspects of the structure of these qualifications will be reviewed

Consultation on the future arrangements for National Qualifications Proposal 2: Introduce a new qualification to be offered at SCQF levels 4 and 5. –Replace Standard Grade (General and Credit) and Intermediate 1 and 2 –Reflect the best features of the present arrangements –Standard Grade Foundation level would be removed, with Access 3 providing an appropriate replacement –External examinations to be retained

Consultation on the future arrangements for National Qualifications Proposal 3: New awards in literacy and numeracy to be introduced –Available at SCQF levels 3 to 5 –Certification for as many young people as possible –Balance of internal and external assessment

Consultation on the future arrangements for National Qualifications Proposal 4: Investigate ways in which we can increase flexibility to better meet the needs of young people. –Promote opportunities for our most able young people to bypass lower level qualifications –How young people could take qualifications over a variable timeframe –Possibility of introducing a winter diet of examinations.

Proposed timetable for introduction –Essential that young people experience a coherent framework of curriculum and qualifications –Fuller implementation of CfE expected from 2009/10 –Current P6 (S1 in 2009/10) likely to be first cohort to experience new generation of qualifications –Implies new qualifications to be in place from 2012/13 onwards