Education - Curriculum for Excellence

THE SCOTTISH CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

Any talk about education is guaranteed to promote lively interest, and this was certainly the case when Sally Brown spoke to the Bridge of Allan and Dunblane Rotary Club on Thursday.  Her topic was an examination of how educational policy has responded to changing needs in Scotland and, in particular, how far the Curriculum for Excellence, introduced in 2004, has succeeded in meeting its aims.  “This curriculum”, she said, “has been designed to transform education in Scotland by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from ages three to 18.  But, while admirable in concept and intent, the effectiveness of the changes has yet to be fully evaluated.”

Sally is no stranger to education: she has a doctorate in science education and was Chair in Education and Deputy Principal in the University of Stirling until her retirement.  Since then she has continued her involvement in education policy, having chaired a number of committees examining education provision.

Sally has examined whether the curriculum prepares young people for an uncertain future, and whether it is successful in raising standards.  A particular interest of hers is to determine whether the changes to the curriculum have succeeded in closing the gap in attainment of those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“The aspiration of the curriculum”, she said, “ is to make learning more interesting by having pupils examining real-life issues, and by giving teachers greater freedom to implement more imaginative approaches.  The curriculum is aiming to develop confident individuals who will become responsible citizens able to contribute to society.”

However, she claimed, there has been a failure to conduct a systematic evaluation of the outcome of the changes resulting from the new curriculum. The government and Education Scotland have failed to provide an effective strategy of implementation to support teachers in meeting the challenges of the changes.  Consequently, it is not clear how well the curriculum is being embedded in schools, and how well teachers are responding to the changing demands, including the inter-disciplinary approach.

Sally reported that a recent OECD review of education in Scotland identified past strengths, but also found that, based on international comparisons, achievement in Scotland had declined.  While there had been a reduction in the gap between the highest and lowest achievers, this had been a result of a decline in the standards of the higher achievers, rather than an improvement in the lower achievers. On the basis of its investigations, the OECD made 12 recommendations for changes to the Scottish system, including a reduction in the associated bureaucracy and a clearer and more coherent framework of purpose.

Members were clearly animated by the issues Sally raised and this resulted in wide-ranging questions about the curriculum and the position of education more generally.  President Nick Rawlings eventually called a halt and asked Speaker’s Host, John Kilby to give a vote of thanks.  John said that the nature and extent of questions had demonstrated the interest that Sally had created.  He asked members to join him in expressing thanks to her for a stimulating talk.