This is the flagship policy of the Scottish government.
Curriculum for Excellence aims to achieve a transformation in education in Scotland by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from 3 to 18.
The curriculum includes the totality of experiences which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated.
It is underpinned by the values inscribed on the mace of the Scottish Parliament - wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity.
The purpose of Curriculum for Excellence is encapsulated in the four capacities –
to enable each child or young person to be a sucessful learner, confident individual, responsible citizen and an effective contributor.
What does it mean for Bo’ness?
- It involves looking at what we teach and how it is taught.
- It involves a new curriculum for S1 – S3 and S4 – S6.
- It involves new qualifications from 2013 onwards.
- The first group to be affected by these changes will be first year in 2010, the current Primary 6, who will sit the new qualifications when they reach 4th year.
- Change will be introduced gradually and there will be frequent information sharing, and discussion between the school and all its partners over the next few years.
It is not a complete change to delivery through traditional subjects . . . . English, Mathematics, History, Biology, Home Economics etc.. Most subjects will remain largely in the same form as at present.
It does not involve a completely new set of examinations but there will be some changes to examinations. Higher and Advanced Higher will remain as well as Access 3.
Standard Grades and Intermediate 1 and 2 exams will be replaced by new examinations called Nationals at Level 4 and 5, and there will also be new examinations in Literacy and Numeracy which pupils may sit from 3rd Year onwards.
These new examinations will come into effect from 2013.
The three main changes which will impact directly on Bo’ness Academy are
- More opportunities for Interdisciplinary work between different departments and across subjects.
- A new timetable structure which links S1 to S3 and S4 to S6. This represents a change from our present pattern of S1 and S2, S3 and S4, and S5 and S6.
As a school we have already considered options for how we configure the ‘Junior’ phase and the ‘Senior’ phase of secondary school. Staff have been involved in these discussions and prior to December 2009 we will be involving parents in consultation on our proposed plans.
- Emphasis on improved teaching and learning particularly more active learning by pupils. This is perhaps the most fundamental aspect of Curriculum for Excellence and the one which ultimately will have the greatest positive impact on the futures of our youngsters.
This is also an area in which the Academy is well positioned.
After several years focusing on Assessment is for Learning our staff are well aware of the strategies required to engage our learners more actively.
We have also appointed two ‘Leading Teachers’ who over the past three sessions have encouraged a culture among staff of professional discussion and peer observation to improve and enhance teaching skills.
During the next two sessions this approach will be further developed with 32 members of staff being involved in Teacher Learning Communities (TLCs) focusing on the techniques and strategies required for effective active learning.
I trust that you will be reassured that the changes inherent in Curriculum for Excellence will improve the future chances for your child and that we as a school are well prepared to manage the changes for the benefit of pupils, and the wider school community.
Curriculum for Excellence - an explanation from Learning Teaching Scotland
Visit the LTS website for more information
The Comenius Project | The Olympic Project
As we progress our own planning we will provide the specific information as to what this means for Bo’ness Academy.
