Purposes and aims: improving learning
The purpose of Curriculum for Excellence is to ensure that all the children and young people of Scotland develop the attributes, knowledge and skills they will need if they are to flourish in life, learning and work, now and in the future. These are summed up in the detailed wording of the four capacities.
The changes brought about by Curriculum for Excellence should lead to improved quality of learning and teaching and increased attainment and achievement for all children and young people in Scotland, including those who need additional support in their learning.
Values
The curriculum is underpinned by the four values inscribed on the mace of the Scottish Parliament - wisdom, justice, compassion and integrity. These words have helped define values for Scottish society, and should help young people in Scotland define their own position on matters of social justice and personal and collective responsibility.
The curriculum must be inclusive, be a stimulus for personal achievement and, through the broadening of experience of the world, be an encouragement towards informed and responsible citizenship.
Four capacities
The aims of Curriculum for Excellence are that every child and young person should know they are valued and will be supported to become a successful learner, an effective contributor, a confident individual and a responsible citizen.
These are the four capacities.
Learner entitlements
Every child and young person should:
- experience a traditionally broad Scottish curriculum that develops skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work, with a sustained focus on literacy and numeracy, that encourages an active, healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyle and that builds an appreciation of Scotland and its place in the world
- benefit from learning and teaching that strikes a better balance between equipping them with the skills for passing exams and skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work; there should be no need for groups of young people to take examinations before the end of S3
- have their learning and achievements recognised by an assessment system that supports the curriculum rather than leads it and ensures that their transition into qualifications is smooth.
These are part of the learner entitlements.
More information
Background to change
Why Scotland needed to reform its curriculum and the process of development of the new curriculum.
A Curriculum for Excellence
The original purposes and principles document, published in November 2004, on the Scottish Government website.