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building the curriculum framework: summary
The curriculum is the totality of experiences which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated.
The purpose of the curriculum is to help children and young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors (the four capacities). The framework therefore puts the learner at the centre of the curriculum.
Experiences and outcomes describe the expectations for learning and progression in all areas of the curriculum.
Children and young people are entitled to a curriculum that includes a range of features at the different stages. The framework expands on these; in summary, children and young people are entitled to experience:
- a curriculum which is coherent from 3 to 18
- a broad general education, including the experiences and outcomes well planned across all the curriculum areas, from early years through to S3
- a senior phase of education after S3 which provides opportunity to obtain qualifications as well as to continue to develop the four capacities
- opportunities for developing skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work with a continuous focus on literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing
- personal support to enable them to gain as much as possible from the opportunities which Curriculum for Excellence can provide
- support in moving into positive and sustained destinations beyond school
It is the responsibility of schools and their partners to bring the experiences and outcomes together and apply the national entitlements to produce programmes for learning across a broad curriculum, covering science, languages, mathematics, social studies (including Scottish history), expressive arts, health and wellbeing, religious and moral education and technology. Throughout this broad curriculum it is expected there will be an emphasis on Scottish contexts, Scottish cultures and Scotland's history and place in the world. This planning should demonstrate the principles for curriculum design: challenge and enjoyment; breadth; progression; depth; personalisation and choice; coherence; relevance.
Curriculum for Excellence allows for both professional autonomy and responsibility when planning and delivering the curriculum. There are no longer specific input requirements in terms of time allocations 5. The framework provides flexibility to organise, schedule and deliver the experiences and outcomes in ways that meet the needs of all learners, but also provides reassurance about consistency where necessary. Such flexibility will result in a more varied pattern of curriculum structures to reflect local needs and circumstances.
The proposals in this guidance are part of a coherent whole which will include, as parts of Curriculum for Excellence, the framework for assessment and qualifications; self-evaluation and accountability; and developments to address the needs of young people at risk.
A curriculum framework to meet the needs of all learners 3 - 18
A schematic guide for curriculum planners
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