Education Scotland

In this article Ollie Bray, Strategic Director at Education Scotland, wraps up our recent series of Curriculum Improvement Cycle articles on mathematics. Ollie reflects on the series so far, talks a little bit about how the technical framework for Scotland's Curriculum might evolve, and sets out some of the early priorities for 2025. 

Scotland's curriculum is evolving! Sign up for the Curriculum Improvement Cycle termly news bulletin and find out more about the story so far, what you can expect to see in 2025 and what it means for you and Scotland's children and young people. The next issue is out in January 2025. You can read issue one here 👉https://ow.ly/aPMx50Uu403 and sign up for all future issues here👉https://ow.ly/KsWn50Uu402

Early work has recently begun on the Curriculum Improvement Cycle – a systematic review of the Scottish curriculum to ensure it remains up to date and relevant for children and young people. We've today published the second of three discussion papers which have emerged from the findings, key messages and learning from a series of pilot curriculum reviews over session 2023/24. ‘Towards an Evolved Technical Framework’ aims to build on the findings identified in the first discussion paper by focusing on how we can evolve the technical framework to help clarify the role and position of knowledge and skills in the curriculum. Ollie Bray, Strategic Director at Education Scotland, said: “We are still at an early stage of the planning process for the Curriculum Improvement Cycle. However, the key issues identified by practitioners during the pilot curriculum reviews over session 2023-24 have provided us with a set of useful criteria for the evolution of the technical framework for Curriculum for Excellence. “This discussion paper suggests how the technical framework for Scotland’s Curriculum could evolve. While we feel comfortable with the general sense of direction and we have received positive feedback from early testing, one of the purposes of ‘Towards an Evolved Technical Framework’ is to support dialogue and gauge how others in the system feel about the proposed direction. “We have published this discussion paper as part of our commitment to keeping the system updated on the process and progress being made, and we plan to publish a third discussion paper, 'Working Together to Make Change Happen', in March 2025." 👉https://ow.ly/ubyk50Uu0r2

As we come to the end of term, Rona Grant, Lead Specialist - Professional Learning and Leadership, takes stock and celebrates the wins of the past year in our latest LinkedIn article.

⭐Congratulations to Kirkcudbright Academy in Dumfries and Galloway on achieving the #STEMnation Award! Kirkcudbright Academy was praised for the positive impact that #STEM is having on raising aspirations and challenging gender stereotypes. The setting engaged with professional learning in equity and equality exploring alternative strategies to lesson delivery and attainment opportunities for all. Part of this work has led to an interactive series of STEM lessons call Let Toys be Toys, a challenging gendered toys campaign. The setting successfully secured funding to provide all pupils from S1-S3 with STEM career specific challenges that included a broad range of STEM careers that may not have previously been considered. There is an embedded programme of activities in place to further enhance and develop pupils’ employability skills within a STEM context. This includes a partnership approach to involving local businesses and there is long established partnerships with Glasgow and Edinburgh universities, the Dark Space Planetarium and numerous other partners to support and embed STEM learning and career opportunities. Kirkcudbright Academy also engages well with families through interactive family STEM challenges and the creation of a pupil led YouTube channel, which includes how to videos that learners have made to support pupils, families and the wider community on all things technology and STEM related. Raymond Henry, Depute Rector at Kirkcudbright Academy said: “Students at Kirkcudbright Academy are delighted to have participated in, and be awarded, the STEM Nation Award and are proud to have been recognised nationally. The school would like to thank Mrs Davidson, in particular, for the hard work she has put in to drive this initiative forward and we look forward to continuing the STEM activities on offer at the school. Initiatives such as the STEM Nation Activities provide our students with the opportunities to develop their interests within the area of Science and Technology and encourage them to consider career pathways into these fields of study.” Find out more about the STEM Nation Award - https://ow.ly/bpg050Uq0j1

“I feel empowered and therefore more positive about what I can achieve”. Read how Leading the How of Change, our new programme for headteachers and those who hold the Standard for Headship, is helping leaders navigate complexity and lead change https://bit.ly/4iC1Q6P

Do you work in ELC? Provide childcare for school-aged children? Or are you a childminder? If so, please read our joint statement with Care Inspectorate on our new upcoming shared inspection framework. 👉https://ow.ly/BymU50UsbVf

We are delighted to announce that The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has become the 300th setting to register for the #STEMnation Award programme. This now means that over 8500 practitioners and 116,000 learners across Scottish early learning and childcare settings, primary schools, secondary schools, special schools and community learning and development providers are benefitting from the programme. 🎉 Read more about why Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park have signed up and register your school or setting today! Find out more about the #STEMnation Award 👉https://ow.ly/iaaT50UrFll

Have you seen our new Equalities Policy Guide? It includes case studies, resources and links to support the process of developing your own guide in your setting. We’ve also divided it into sections to make it easy to use 👇 Full guide here: https://ow.ly/xgOB50UpNxK

⭐Congratulations to Bishopbriggs Academy in East Dunbartonshire on achieving the #STEMnation Award! Bishopbriggs Academy was praised for its strong approach to pupil leadership in #STEM and the comprehensive programme of professional learning available to staff. Learners have the option to engage with the Young STEM Leaders programme in S3 and S5 as part of their timetabled classes. Further leadership opportunities are available to learners from S1 to S6 through the STEAM Captains, Learning for Sustainability Prefects and Class Rep roles. These initiatives are helping to develop pupil confidence and are providing opportunities for learners to influence the curriculum on offer in their school. The staff Learning for Sustainability, Meta-skills and Digital working groups are all providing opportunities for staff to engage in personal and collaborative professional learning. As a result this is helping to enhance the curriculum on offer including interdisciplinary learning programmes linked to Learning for Sustainability, P7/S1 transition projects based on the science behind Crime Scene Investigations, and a broad range of senior phase qualifications including apprenticeship programmes and National Progression Awards. Headteacher Ian Donaghey said: "We are delighted to be awarded the STEM Nation Award as it is recognition of the hard work and efforts of our young people and many of the staff involved. The increased variety of STEM options available to our young people has greatly enhanced our curriculum and made studying STEM subjects more readily accessible. The innovative and creative learning and teaching approaches included in our STEM courses have attracted pupils in the Broad General Education to get involved and engage in leadership roles as they move into the Senior Phase. Throughout their involvement, pupils are developing essential meta skills enabling pupils to access a variety of positive and sustained destinations when they leave school.” Councillor Lynda Williamson, Convener of East Dunbartonshire Council’s Education Committee said: “I am thrilled to hear that Bishopbriggs Academy has gained the STEM Nation Award. STEM subjects are essential in developing the problem-solving skills and critical-thinking crucial for tackling the global issues we all face. But these skills aren’t just useful in STEM, they are transferable across a whole range of subjects. STEM subjects also nurture a passion for enterprise and innovation enabling our young people to take advantage of the many opportunities out there for fulfilling professions. This award recognises the endeavours of the staff and young people at Bishopbriggs Academy, and I would like to extend my heart-felt congratulations to all involved.” Find out more about the STEM Nation Award - http://ow.ly/9gsA50TphAc