Outcomes and Experiences for Effective Learning

Outcomes and experiences for Curriculum for Excellence provide broad statements of learning which require a range of teaching and assessment approaches. They indicate the direction of travel and offer opportunities for the gathering and interpreting of evidence. Through the use of these outcomes and experiences we can motivate, enthuse and challenge young people. Margo Williamson, LTS, and Chris McIIlroy, HMIE, will highlight how all the partners in Scottish education are working together to achieve this goal.

Children should find their learning challenging, engaging and motivating. Curriculum for Excellence encourages high aspirations and ambition for all. At every stage of their lives young people should have the opportunities to be active participants in their learning and have opportunities to develop and demonstrate their creativity.

In this session Margo Williamson of LTS and Chris McIIlroy of HMIE will draw on examples of practice which highlight how some schools have gone about ensuring their young people have had opportunities to develop and engage with the four capacities outlined in Curriculum for Excellence. They will discuss the model of change which Curriculum for Excellence is following and highlight the contribution required by all stakeholders in education in order to be successful in creating a Scottish education system which is among the best in the world. Throughout the presentation, through the use of video and exemplification, they will show how the broad outcomes and experiences of Curriculum for Excellence will lead to depth in learning, sound evidence of learning that has taken place and indications of next steps.

Margo Williamson, Programme Director, LTS
Chris McIlroy, HMIE

Margo Williamson is Programme Director of Curriculum and Assessment at Learning and Teaching Scotland. As such, one of her key roles is to lead and manage the development of Curriculum for Excellence for Learning and Teaching Scotland. She has considerable teaching and management experience in both school and higher education, where she worked as a senior lecturer. Her background and research interests are in literacy development and the role of ICT in learning. She has attended and given presentations at a range of national and international conferences and has been invited to contribute to several staff development events throughout Scotland.

Chris McIlroy was a teacher and assistant headteacher in primary schools before serving for 12 years as headteacher of Yoker Primary School in Glasgow. Following that, he worked for two years with Scottish CCC (the predecessor of Learning and Teaching Scotland). During that time he was a member of a number of working groups for the 5-14 programme. He joined HMI in 1989 and has held posts as lead inspector for primary and pre-school education, and as district inspector for Renfrewshire and South Ayrshire. Until August he was acting Chief Inspector with responsibilities for the inspection of pre-school establishments, independent schools, and residential schools and secure units. He is now responsible for the inspection programme for primary education. Chris is also a member of the Programme Board for the Review of the Curriculum 3-18.