Improving Scottish Education 2: Pre-school to Early Primary

Improving Scottish Education 2 identifies continuing areas of strengths at the pre-school stage of education. Areas for improvement are also highlighted where the sector can focus attention in the journey to high quality experience for all children.

This session will explore the strengths and areas for improvement. It will consider how the Curriculum for Excellence offers the opportunity to build on strengths and open up learning at the early stages of children's education. How can pre-schools and schools take advantage of this new stage from 3 to 6 to work together to improve outcomes for children?

Throughout Scotland, the pre-school sector has sustained an overall good provision. The challenge is to move from good to very good and excellent. Primary schools and authorities have been embarking on 'play initiatives' in the early years of primary in response to the growing understanding that children learn best when engaged in practical activities.

This session will engage participants in thinking about and discussing the principles of effective learning across pre-school to primary. It will consider how active learning and play in context can deliver improvements for children.

Evidence from examples of creative learning and progress in achievement will be used to explore practice and ask how well we are identifying and meeting the needs of children. The quality of leadership influences the quality of outcomes. The success of the early stage requires knowledgeable and committed staff to guide and support innovation as well as maintain continuity where standards are high. The session will consider the skills mix of staff to take this forward.

Good practice will be shared from examples in pre-school and school.