Curriculum for Excellence

Curriculum for Excellence is the curriculum in Scotland which applies to all children and young people age 3-18, wherever they are learning. It aims to raise achievement for all, enabling young people to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to succeed in learning, life and work.

The aim is to make our education system fit for the modern world and improve young people's achievements, attainment and life chances; through enabling all young people to become successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors

Every child and young person in Scotland is entitled to experience a broad and general education from early years (aged 3) through to the end of S3.

The senior phase of education takes place during S4-S6 which provides opportunities to develop skills for learning, life and work and obtain qualifications. The new national qualifications are called Nationals. To find out more we have produced an information leaflet for information leaflet for parents/carers.

Scotland’s curriculum is still based on Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), which is the national framework for learning for children and young people aged 3 to 18.

CfE is now being reviewed and improved through a national programme to make sure it stays up to date, clear and well organised, and fits with changes to assessment and qualifications.

The aim of this work is to make learning clearer, ensure pupils can progress more easily, and recognise a wider range of achievements. These changes build on the existing CfE framework rather than replacing it.

More information about these changes will be shared as the programme develops.