5 to 14 curriculum
Children usually start primary school in the August after their fifth birthday, although if they are born between September and February their parents can choose to send them to school in the August before or after their fifth birthday.
Children at primary schools progress through Primary 1 (P1) to Primary 7 (P7). They then move on to secondary school when they are around 12 years old.
The structure, content and assessment of the 5 to 14 curriculum is governed by non-statutory national guidelines. These help local authorities and headteachers decide what is taught in their primary schools and during the first two years of lessons at their secondary schools.
The 5 to 14 curriculum is divided into five broad areas:
- language
- mathematics
- environmental studies
- expressive arts
- religious and moral education
In addition, there are a number of cross curricular areas in the 5-14 curriculum. These include: personal and social development; enterprise in education; education for citizenship; the culture of Scotland; and ICT.
For each of these areas there are broad attainment outcomes. Pupils' attainment is assessed at five or six levels: A (lowest) to E or F (highest). For more information go to the 5 to 14 assessment section.
The 5 to 14 curriculum has undergone several developments in recent years. Many teachers now feel it is too cluttered and one of the aims of the curriculum review which is currently underway is to 'declutter' the 5 to 14 curriculum. For more information on the review go to Curriculum for Excellence.
For more information on the current curriculum go to 5 to 14 Online on the Learning and Teaching Scotland website.
Enterprise education
Determined to Succeed is a strategy for enterprise in education which aims to encourage a 'can do - will do' attitude in young people.
It is not about teaching stand-alone classes in enterprise skills or expecting everyone to become an entrepreneur, but embedding enterprise education within the school curriculum and school life so that pupils can gain self-confidence and the ability to think creatively.
Around £86 million has been allocated over five years to deliver the strategy which is currently being implemented in schools across the country.
The strategy is being delivered through a unique interaction between the Executive, local authorities and the business community.
Further information is available at:
Science education
Promoting science education in schools is one of the key elements of the Government's Science Strategy which was launched in 2001. A progress report was published recently.
Science education in schools has been specifically supported through:
- resources for the training and employment of additional science teachers
- initiatives to provide teachers of science with high quality professional development
- work with local authorities to consider how to secure the provision of modern accommodation and resources for science lessons
- work with the science community, the network of Scottish Science Centres, and business and industry to secure their support for science education and to encourage more young people to consider science as a career
- the development of more rigorous assessment of science in the curriculum