Stages of learning
The stages of learning reflect the changing ways that children and young people engage with learning as they mature.
The experiences and outcomes are written at five levels with progression to qualifications described under a senior phase. The levels and stages are closely interlinked.
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, secondary school and finally to moving on to positive and sustained destinations. These times in their lives are memorable occasions as well as stepping stones to new experiences and increasing independence.
It is therefore important that in planning programmes, schools and establishments provide experiences which are familiar but introduce new aspects which will make each individual phase unique to that time in a young person's life.
The intention must be to avoid driving young people through the levels as fast as possible. This arrangement of experiences and outcomes is intended to give teachers and other staff the flexibility and scope to follow issues through and to provide personalised and varying programmes of learning so that the young person is secure at a level before moving on.
| 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. |
| Senior phase | S4 to S6, and college or other means of study. |
Stages of learning
Early level
The purpose of the curriculum at the pre-school and P1 stages, how to apply the curriculum principles and build a framework for your class or establishment.
Primary stages
Developing a curriculum framework using the principles for the first and second levels.
Secondary stages
Designing a curriculum for secondary learning, including smooth transitions from primary and into a successful senior phase.
Reflective questions
Stages of learning
Reflective questions to provoke ideas about building a 3-18 curriculum framework at the different stages of learning.