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Timetable for new school exams
31/10/2008
New school exams are to be introduced in 2014, it was announced today.
A consultation on the new qualifications which closes today (Friday) originally proposed that secondary pupils would face new exams in 2013 but the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board today advised that the shift of the start of the revised qualification system would ensure that teachers would have more opportunity to develop quality preparation for its delivery.
This will allow additional time for Curriculum for Excellence to be fully implemented with development opportunities for quality training
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning said:
"It is essential that we devote the correct amount of development time to introducing this major change in teaching and learning. There have been pilot programmes for Curriculum for Excellence running in classroom across the country for some months now - and we want this work to continue. Some schools will be implementing the new curriculum from August 2009 but all will be expected to do so from August 2010 to enable the new exams to be taken in 2014.
"However, I have always stressed that I would listen to the feedback from all of those involved in this hugely important step towards achieving the best for all our children."
Curriculum for Excellence is the biggest reform in the Scottish education system for more than a generation. Its aim is to provide a seamless education for three to 18-year-olds which will provide a more satisfying schooling experience for children.
Councillor Isabel Hutton, COSLA Education, Children and Young People spokesperson, said:
"The development and delivery of the Curriculum for Excellence is one of key areas of joint work between local and national Government. The announcement today shows that local partners and the Scottish Government can work together for the benefit of Scottish education. I therefore welcome the announcement today, and we will continue to work positively with Scottish Government and partners on the roll out of this most crucial policy."
Larry Flanagan, education convener of the EIS, welcomed the Cabinet Secretary's decision. He said:
"The EIS remains committed to the successful implementation of Curriculum for Excellence and the realisation of the principles behind the programme. We believe that achieving this aim requires that teachers are given adequate time for professional reflection and development work on the new innovative teaching and learning programmes required.
"We welcome the Government's willingness to respond to concerns about the tightness of the previous implementation schedule and look forward to continued partnership work on delivering Curriculum for Excellence."
Ken Cunningham, general secretary of School Leaders Scotland, said:
"School Leaders Scotland is delighted at today's announcement by the Cabinet Secretary. We are pleased that our concerns have been recognised. We will continue to cooperate with other stakeholders to achieve the best possible provision for Scotland's young people in the future."
Graeme Hyslop, principal of Langside College in Glasgow and who leads Scotland's College Principals on Curriculum for Excellence issues, said:
"I can say on behalf of fellow principals in Scotland's colleges that the decision of the Cabinet Secretary to firstly broaden the membership of the Management Board and secondly take the Board's advice on the CfE programme timelines shows sound perception and good sense.
"This is a Cabinet Secretary in listening mode who puts Scotland's learners first. The college sector signs up to that as a fundamental principle and the key driver for our future learning system. Make no mistake about it we are talking about what might be the first comprehensive learning system in Europe - ever. That is why the Board is so keen to get it right."
David Cameron, chairman of the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES), said:
"ADES welcomes this latest announcement from Scottish Government on Curriculum for Excellence. It shows clearly the commitment that we have to working in partnership, listening and taking appropriate steps to ensure the delivery of an initiative that is central to the future of Scotland's young people."
Ms Hyslop said:
"I have listened to the concerns of the education experts on the Management Board, which was set up specifically to discuss the challenges around Curriculum for Excellence. Having weighed up this evidence, I have decided that exam qualifications should be in 2014 rather than 2013. This means more development time will be available for introducing the new school curriculum.
"Curriculum for Excellence is about far more than just the content of the curriculum and extends well beyond schools. The impact of this change will be far-reaching. It is not a centralised or top-down initiative. To achieve these ambitious goals effectively, teachers need support and challenge from all concerned, including parents, employers, further and higher education, local authorities, HMIE and the Scottish Government.
"Curriculum for Excellence must be implemented properly and with confidence to achieve a quality reform so that all children are given the best foundations in school for learning."
Curriculum for Excellence aims to provide seamless education from age three to 18 and is taking a fresh look at what is taught in schools and how. School pupils are already seeing changes in their classrooms through the groundwork that has been ongoing since 2004. The draft outcomes provide further tools for teachers. The plans are being firmed up in this school year and in 2009/2010 all schools across Scotland will be working on delivery.
The Curriculum for Excellence Management Board comprises: Scottish School Teachers' Association, Scottish Qualifications Authority, Skills Development Scotland, Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, HMIE, Educational Institute of Scotland, Association of Scotland's Colleges, Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, Learning Teaching Scotland, The Deans of Education Faculties/Departments, School Leaders Scotland and Scottish Council of Independent Schools.
The consultation focused on four areas:
- Introduction of new awards in literacy and numeracy
- Introduction of a new general qualification to replace Standard Grade (General and Credit) and Intermediate 1 and 2. Standard Grade Foundation would be removed
- Retention of Access, Highers and Advanced Highers with a review of the content of all National Qualifications to ensure consistency with Curriculum for Excellence
- Provide a range of opportunities to meet the needs of all young people