A project involving a group of 16 pupils has given young people the chance to have their views on Curriculum for Excellence heard.
The research project ran over a number of days and was designed to develop pupils from P7 and S2 as curriculum consultants. The series of workshops builds on the Government’s ongoing dialogue with teachers and parents about the new curriculum and will help ensure the changes are properly communicated to pupils too….
A project involving a group of 16 pupils has given young people the chance to have their views on Curriculum for Excellence heard.
The research project ran over a number of days and was designed to develop pupils from P7 and S2 as curriculum consultants. The series of workshops builds on the Government’s ongoing dialogue with teachers and parents about the new curriculum and will help ensure the changes are properly communicated to pupils too.
Education Secretary Michael Russell said:
“Curriculum for Excellence is all about improving the education our pupils receive. It is designed to make sure they have the skills as well as the knowledge they need for the jobs of the future.
“I speak with young people on a regular basis when I am visiting schools. However as we move closer to Curriculum for Excellence being rolled out in all schools, we are keen to keep speaking directly with young people, giving them a real say in the type and content of information the Government and our partners provide for them.
“The feedback from these workshops shows that pupils, like their parents and teachers, are excited about the changes that are being implemented and are ready to make Curriculum for Excellence a success. They have an enormous amount to contribute towards making learning and teaching more effective.”
Examples of the comments made by the young people and staff
About Curriculum for Excellence:
“We’re lucky to be moving into secondary just as it’s changing.” David Hall, P7 New Stevenston Primary School.
“I’m excited and looking forward to going deeper in subjects than we can at primary.” Jade Davies, P7 New Stevenston Primary School.
“There’s potential for more flexibility – letting pupils influence how they learn – for example in product design and manufacture there are things we have to teach for exams, but pupils could pick what we make, so long as we covered the essential learning points.” Willie Douglas, Principal Teacher in Enterprise.
“Curriculum for Excellence has created a greater flexibility within education. Our pupils take a greater ownership of their learning and our staff use cross curricular links to create a better context for learning. We also look forward to improved continuity and progression at our transition stages. Alan Creighton, Depute Head at New Stevenston Primary
What could be better?
“People talk to you like you’re a young child or an adult – we need something in between.” Alliyah Brogan, S2 Brannock High School.
“We want to hear about Curriculum for Excellence from other young people and through school… like a video at Assembly.” Pamela Boyd, S2 Brannock High School.
“We want choice in what we learn and how, have an element of control” Ross Howley, S2 Brannock High School.
What the young people thought about being involved in the research:
“I liked that we had freedom to control what we were doing – we’re not used to this.” Morgan Mitchell, S2 Brannock High School.
“I’ve become more confident over the last few days” Pamela Boyd.” S2 Brannock High School.
“I liked that everyone had the decency to stop and listen when someone’s talking… it’s not always like that in class.” Alliyah Brogan, S2 Brannock High School.
This is part of ongoing research with a number of groups, including parents and wider partners (social workers, school nurses, employers, community learning and development workers, careers service) around Curriculum for Excellence as it rolls out in all Scottish schools. The research is designed to influence the next stage of Curriculum for Excellence and the way the changes are communicated.
The first stage of the research with learners took place between June 15, 2010 and June 17, 2010; this will be followed up with further sessions in the autumn terms.