What is the curriculum?

Curriculum for Excellence is Scotland’s curriculum for children and young people aged 3-18.
It’s an approach designed to provide young people with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for learning, life and work in the 21st century.

It aims to enable every child or young person to be a:

• Successful learner
• Confident individual
• Responsible citizen
• Effective contributor.

The curriculum is broken into two broad stages:

• a broad general education, providing a rounded education from the early years until the end of S3
• a senior phase, which will include studying for qualifications (from S4-S6).

The broad general education is divided into five curriculum levels (Early, First, Second, Third and Fourth) across eight curriculum areas.

Nutshell guides for parents

Curriculum for Excellence – This nutshell from the National Parent Forum of Scotland provides information for parents on Curriculum for Excellence.

Senior Phase – Information from the National Parent Forum of Scotland on the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence.

PDF file: Learning pathways in the senior phase and beyond – A nutshell from the National Parent Forum of Scotland on a learner’s journey through education and learning.

Frequently asked questions for parents

Find answers to questions you might have about the transition between broad general education and senior phase.

PDF file: Frequently asked questions for parents: Transition between Broad General Education and Senior Phase (606 KB)

Information on the background to Curriculum for Excellence and the benefits it brings to Scottish education.

PDF file: Curriculum for Excellence fact file – Background and benefits (360 KB)

A summary of the key features of the 3-18 curriculum and the terms used to describe these.

PDF file: Curriculum for Excellence fact file – Overview (465 KB)