Dumbarton Academy: Making connections in learning

Dumbarton Academy’s young people and their teachers have been working together in developing their approaches to planning interdisciplinary projects and studies as part of the school’s preparation for the implementation of a new curriculum model. In response to 'A Curriculum for Excellence (2004)' and 'Progress and Proposals (2006)' the school is in the process of planning to introduce a broad-based general education for students in S1-S3.

The work that is being done during this session will be built upon in subsequent sessions, leading, ultimately, to a curriculum which is more similar to that of a primary school. Electives have been introduced in S2 this session in order to enable young people to follow a curriculum appropriate to their learning needs and which provides opportunities for in-depth learning based on the four capacities.

Literacy, numeracy and pupils’ own health and wellbeing are built into curriculum plans at every stage.

This work is part of an authority approach to a review of curriculum architecture for all sectors to enable a curriculum fit for purpose. The S1 element will be piloted and evaluated throughout session 2008-09 and reviewed in association with pilot projects in primary and early years. Experiences gained in these projects will form the basis of professional dialogue across the council within and across sectors.

Further projects in 2009-10 will contribute to the development of appropriate models.