Guiding your thinking
Introduction
This section provides early insights into the work some schools are carrying out in their progress towards developing curriculum structures. Staff involved have found the following points helpful when developing possible curriculum structures that reflect key features of 'Building the Curriculum 3' and meet local contexts and priorities.
Why are we planning and building our own curriculum?
This question is best addressed by the whole school community. Discussions help to set the agenda for change, ensure consistency of the message and support a climate which acknowledges the need for transformational change. It is important to:
- reiterate the aims, purpose and values of Curriculum for Excellence
- ensure that the school community has a shared understanding of the purpose and key messages of 'Building the Curriculum 3'
- highlight that 'Building the Curriculum 3' does not provide a set of templates which can be applied across the system
- ensure that partners are aware that each school will develop a curriculum structure which reflects their own local needs and circumstances.
How will we go about doing this?
In beginning to develop new curriculum structures it is useful to:
- involve all staff, pupils, parents and other partners as active participants throughout the process
- identify time for focused dialogue to inform ongoing planning, reflection and amendment
- take close account of the context and prorities of the school community
- ensure that the voice of children and young people is taken into account
- consider partner contributions from the voluntary sector, youth work, training providers, employers and college providers, etc
- consider current and future availability and deployment of staffing
- set clear timescales to achieve expected outcomes within the improvement planning cycle
- network with others at local and national level to share practice and ideas, making best use of Glow and the LTS website.
Developing new curriculum structures is an ongoing process. Early insights show how some schools have begun to develop their own curriculum structures.