St Margaret’s High School, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire

This case study outlines the beginning of the journey of St. Margaret’s High School, North Lanarkshire, towards Curriculum for Excellence and explains the school’s position by the end of school session 2007-8. This is a whole school change and therefore a work in progress.

A follow up case study will be provided in summer 2009 to evaluate the progress made and the impact on young people’s learning experiences.

Associated materials provide more detail on aspects of the case study.

Case Study - A Coherent Curriculum 3-18

'Key features of the North Lanarkshire approach include validating the policy framework within which schools are willing to risk change, extensive consultation within schools, expert support for schools, and emphasis on flexibility and choice…'  (OECD Report, page 127)

Focus of the case study:

The case study shows how the actions taken by the school in response to the publication of 'A Curriculum for Excellence' (2004) and 'Progress and Proposals' (2006) have impacted directly on the learning experiences of the children and young people in supporting them to become successful learners, responsible citizens, effective contributors and confident individuals.

The changes which the school has implemented demonstrate some key features of 'Building the Curriculum 3' including:

• emphasis on achieving a 3-18 curriculum through strong cluster planning to promote a coherent and progressive framework for learning
• S1-S3, S4-S6 timetable structure
• personal support processes and regular curriculum reviews for young people at every transition, promoting progression and personal achievement, with particular attention paid to young people with additional support needs
• S1-S3 structure enabling a strong emphasis on high quality teaching and learning, free from the pressures of external certification
• a single S4-S6 framework building upon young people’s 3-15 learning experiences, helping them make more informed choices about future pathways and qualifications
• opportunities to develop skills for life and skills for work
• a strong focus on literacy, numeracy and pupils’ health and wellbeing.