Learning
LEARNING - “THE ACQUISITION OF KNOWLEDGE OR SKILLS THROUGH STUDY, EXPERIENCE, OR BEING TAUGHT”
- Successful Learners
- Confident Individuals
- Effective Contributors
- Responsible Citizens
Curriculum for Excellence underpins learning across Scotland for all 3-18 year olds, wherever they learn. It aims to raise standards, prepare our children for a future they do not yet know and equip them for jobs of tomorrow in our ever-changing world.
Curriculum for Excellence enables professionals to teach subjects creatively, to work together across the school and with other schools, to share best practice and explore learning together. Glow, Scotland’s unique, world-leading, online network, along with new initiatives such a Inspire and Showbie, supports learners and teachers.
Teachers and practitioners share information to plan a child’s ‘learning journey’ from 3-18, helping their progression from nursery to primary, primary to secondary and beyond, ensuring the change is smooth. They ensure children continue to work at a pace they can cope with and with challenge they can thrive on. Curriculum for Excellence balances the importance of knowledge, skills and experiences. Every child is entitled to a broad, deep general education, whatever their level and ability.
All teachers and practitioners are responsible for literacy and numeracy – the language and numbers skills that unlock other subjects and are vital to everyday life.
Curriculum for Excellence develops skills for learning, life and work to help young people go on to further study, secure work and navigate life. It brings real life into the classroom, making learning relevant and helps young people apply lessons to their life beyond the classroom. It links knowledge in one subject area to another, helping children understand the world and make connections. It develops skills so that children can think for themselves, make sound judgements, challenge, enquire and find solutions. There is a broad range of ways to assess progress, guiding next steps and ensuring children achieve their potential.
There is personal support to help young people fulfil their potential and make the most of their opportunities with additional support wherever that’s needed. There will be an emphasis by all staff on looking after our children’s health and well-being – to ensure that the school is a place where children feel safe and secure.
Ultimately, Curriculum for Excellence aims to improve our children’s life chances, to nurture successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors, and responsible citizens, building on Scotland’s reputation for great education.
THE CURRICULUM
Learning and teaching is planned to allow pupils to work individually, with others in groups and as a whole class. Planning ensures there are opportunities to work independently of the teacher with minimum intervention. This is divided into stages:
- Early Level - Nursery to P1 (or later for some)
- First Level - P2 – P4 (but earlier or later for some)
- Second Level – P5 – P7 (but earlier or later for some)
- Third and Fourth Level – 1st year – 3rd year (but earlier for some)
- Senior Phase – 4th to 6th year or college
HOMEWORK
We encourage parents to monitor, support and be actively involved in their child's homework. Homework helps to develop a positive work habit, gives opportunities for independent learning and is a means of reinforcing and consolidating ongoing class work. At all stages in school, some homework will be given. The amount of work set will not be too demanding of your child's leisure time and will match their needs and abilities. Please encourage your child to maintain high standards and complete homework on time. A series of guides to supporting learning at home are available on this website.
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
The assessment of pupils' work and progress is taking place all the time through the method of continuous observation, marking of written work, informal classroom assessment and discussion. In addition to this, summative assessments in English Language and Mathematics are carried out at all stages. These are moderated at school, Learning Community and Authority level. Parents are welcomed in school at any time; however, in order to discuss their child’s progress they are given the opportunity to consult with their child’s teacher twice a year.
Parents are encouraged to contact the school at any time during the school session if they wish to discuss any aspect of their child(ren)'s school work or other matters.