Curriculum for Excellence Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) is the curriculum followed in all Scottish establishments and is built on the values of wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity. All children and young people should develop skills for life, skills for learning and skills for work which will prepare them for a world that is changing very fast. The curriculum in our schools will continue to develop over coming years to ensure that all our children and young people become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. The curriculum follows two phases - the broad general education (BGE) and the senior phase. Broad General Education One of the key entitlements of CfE is that all children should receive a rounded education, known as the broad general education (BGE), from early years to the end of S3, before moving to a senior phase in S4 to S6 which will include studying for qualifications. This BGE should provide young people with a wide range of knowledge, skills and experiences that they can draw on as their lives, careers and job opportunities continue to change. The BGE phase of CfE is closely connected to the senior phase with the learning undertaken until the end of S3 providing a strong foundation for choosing and specialising in a range of subjects. In the senior phase, young people will have the opportunity to take qualifications and courses that suit their ability and interests. The curricular areas which will be followed within the BGE are: Literacy, numeracy and health and well-being - responsibility of all; and English, mathematics, modern languages, sciences, social studies, expressive arts and religious and moral education/religious education in Roman Catholic schools. School curriculum The curriculum in all Scottish educational establishments is currently under review as a result of developments through the Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence initiative. For the first time the curriculum in Scotland will be built on the values of wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity. Through extensive debate and consultation it has been recognised that all children and young people should develop skills for life, skills for learning and skills for work which will prepare them for a world that is changing very fast. The curriculum in our school will continue to develop over coming years to ensure that all our children become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Subjects Guidance on Course Choice Pupils are interviewed individually by a senior member of staff before determining their curriculum in S4, S5 and S6 and will be strongly encouraged to choose their strongest subjects in order to maximise their full potential in achieving the best grades possible in SQA qualifications. Parents are also invited to actively involve themselves in this exercise.
Literacy Competence and confidence in literacy, including competence in grammar, spelling and the spoken word, are essential for progress in all areas of the curriculum. Because of this, all teachers have responsibility for promoting language and literacy development. Every teacher in each area of the curriculum strives to find opportunities to encourage young people to explain their thinking, debate their ideas and read and write at a level which will help them to develop their language skills further.
Numeracy Being numerate helps us to function responsibly in everyday life and contribute effectively to society. It increases our opportunities within the world of work and establishes foundations which can be built upon through lifelong learning. Numeracy is not only a subset of mathematics; it is also a life skill which permeates and supports all areas of learning, allowing young people access to the wider curriculum. Because of this, all teachers have responsibility for promoting numeracy development within their own subject area. Strategies are built upon a shared understanding amongst staff of how young people progress in numeracy and of good learning and teaching in numeracy.