The Engage for Education Curriculum for Excellence workshop was set up to introduce streamlined summaries to support teachers as they implemented the new curriculum. The workshop also provided a broader discussion forum for wider issues relating to CfE.

As a result teachers and parents alike raised concerns and questions about areas such as assessment, the timetable and detail of implementation of the new qualifications, the period of learning from S1 to S3 and the senior phase. 

Some questions have been answered directly by ministers on Engage for Education. It was clear, however, that there was a need to make more detailed information widely available.

In light of these findings and as part of a wider aim to assist practitioners, employers, colleges, schools and parents to understand the new curriculum, some targeted new documents – including detailed factfiles have been launched and a specific web resource set up to collate and distribute this information.

There is now further specific and easily accessible information on understanding the new curriculum on the LTS website:

The CfE Toolkit addresses what Curriculum for Excellence means at different educational stages. It includes posters for use at school, a series of leaflets with the summary of a case study from the child’s and the parent’s point of view, a ‘pupil voice’ video and a ‘practitioner voice’ video as well as additional resources and links specific to this stage.

The Building the Curriculum series also provides advice, guidance and policy for different aspects of Curriculum for Excellence, including assessment, early years and skills for learning. 

Further factfiles are set to be produced in 2011 on a range of subjects and a new Engage for Education workshop will be launched to create further feedback and dialogue on the curriculum and how it works in practice.

Some of the new materials are highlighted below:

Leaflets: Curriculum for Excellence
A series of leaflets for parents, carers and others interested in how Curriculum for Excellence affects children in the early years and at primary and secondary stages. The leaflets encourage parents, carers, employers and other partners to join in and help pupils see the opportunities for learning all around us in everyday life.

Curriculum for Excellence – A quick guide
This is a quick guide is for practitioners that summarises key messages to help them prepare for a parents meeting or other events that introduce Curriculum for Excellence.  

Videos: Curriculum for Excellence in action
A series of videos produced by the Scottish Government with examples of how Curriculum for Excellence is being implemented on a practical level in Scottish secondary schools. The videos are designed to assist practitioners when communicating with parents.