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 3-18 curriculum aims to ensure that all children and young people in Scotland develop the attributes, knowledge and skills they will need to flourish in life, learning and work. The knowledge, skills and attributes learners will develop will allow them to demonstrate four key capacities – to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.
The totality of experiences
The curriculum includes all of the experiences which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated. These experiences are grouped into four categories.
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Curriculum areas and subjects
The curriculum areas are the organisers for setting out the experiences and outcomes. Each area contributes to the four capacities.
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Interdisciplinary learning
How the curriculum should include space for learning beyond subject boundaries.
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Ethos and life of the school
The starting point for learning is a positive ethos and climate of respect and trust based upon shared values across the school community.
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Opportunities for personal achievement
Pupils need opportunities for achievements both in the classroom and beyond, giving them a sense of satisfaction and building motivation, resilience and confidence.
Curriculum Levels
| Level |
Stage |
| Early |
The pre-school years and P1, or later for some. |
| First |
To the end of P4, but earlier or later for some. |
| Second |
To the end of P7, but earlier or later for some. |
| Third and Fourth |
S1 to S3, but earlier for some. The fourth level broadly equates to Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 4.
The fourth level experiences and outcomes are intended to provide possibilities for choice and young people's programmes will not include all of the fourth level outcomes.
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| Senior phase |
S4 to S6, and college or other means of study. |
The path most children and young people are expected to follow through the levels reflects the stages of maturation of children and young people and the changing ways in which they engage with learning as they develop.
Some children and young people will start learning at these levels earlier and others later, depending upon individual needs and aptitudes. The framework is however designed to be flexible in order to permit careful planning for those with additional support needs, including those who, for example, have a learning difficulty and those who are particularly able or talented.
While children and young people should feel that the transition from one stage of learning to another is smooth, they should still be able to look forward to the excitement of starting nursery, primary school and secondary school, and finally to moving on to positive and sustained destinations.
S1-3 pupils will follow a Broad General Education covering all curricular areas. Further information is available in our school infromation leaflet S1-3 The Broad General Education, available here.
S4-6 students will engage in their education through the Senior Phase curriculum. Further information is available in our school information leaflet S4-6 The Senior Phase, available here.