This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Pilot allows flexible approach to curriculum
01/03/2004
Education Minister Peter Peacock today
visited a pilot project that allows pupils to sit Standard
Grades in S3 and increases opportunities for further study
in S4-S6.
The Minister confirmed that a
consultation on the future of the current age and stage
regulations, which govern when pupils can sit exams, and
the next stage of the curriculum review will be launched
shortly.
Mr Peacock said:
"Every child is unique and that is why a 'one size
fits all' approach to education is simply inappropriate.
Our curriculum must be adaptable to meet differing needs,
allowing schools and councils to tailor solutions to
individual pupils.
"To achieve this we must not be afraid to adopt
innovative solutions and share best practice. That's why I
- and many other schools and councils throughout Scotland -
will monitor progress at Keith Grammar with interest and
ensure lessons are learned.
"The Keith project could help to prevent the dip in
attainment which traditionally occurs in S1 and S2 as well
as allowing senior pupils to work at their own pace and,
possibly, enjoy links with higher or further education.
"The need for curriculum flexibility is why we are
undertaking a fundamental review of the curriculum. We are
also preparing to consult on the future of the age and
stage regulations that govern when pupils sit exams as we
must ensure that bureaucracy does not prevent schools
embracing flexible solutions."
Keith Grammar School rector John Aitken said:
"We are delighted to welcome the Minister and to be
able to show him how pleased we are with the move to
Standard Grade in S3. We would be happy to welcome him back
in two years time when we will be able to offer a much more
varied and relevant experience to pupils in the senior
school as a result of moving Standard Grade into S2/S3."
The first phase of the Keith Grammar School project
involved compressing the S1/S2 curriculum into a more
challenging S1 course with pupils working for Standard
Grades in S2/S3. The project received £17,400 funding, plus
evaluation costs, through the Scottish Executive's Future
Learning and Teaching (FLaT) programme.
Phase two - developing a three year senior school
which offers increased opportunities in S4-S6 - received
£174,000 FLaT funding, plus evaluations costs.
The FLaT programme supports schools and local
authorities to create a learning and teaching environment
for the future which is sensitive to individual needs,
promotes attainment and tackles barriers to learning.
Further information is available at
www.flatprojects.org.uk.
Age and stage regulations were originally intended to
provide a regulatory framework to prevent pupils sitting
exams before they were sufficiently mature. Under existing
arrangements, schools can apply for younger pupils to sit
exams, where the pupils have demonstrated sufficient
maturity. The forthcoming consultation will consider the
future of these regulations and seek views on maintaining
the regulations, relaxing them to allow candidates to be
presented for Intermediate level exams from S3 onwards, in
line with the flexibility already available at Standard
Grade, or abolishing them but with an option of providing
central guidance.
The Minister announced in September 2003 that the
current 5-14 curriculum would be reviewed. A working group
was set up to agree the principles that should underpin the
revised curriculum and this will report shortly.