Curriculum for Excellence (often shortened to CfE) is the curriculum in Scotland which applies to all children and young
people age 3-18, wherever they are learning. It aims to raise
achievement for all, enabling young people to develop the
skills, knowledge and understanding they need to succeed in
learning, life and work.
The Four Capacities – the curriculum aims for all children to become:
• Successful Learners
• Confident Individuals
• Responsible Citizens
• Effective Contributors
The Seven Principles of Curriculum Design – all learning
must take account of these principles:
• Challenge and enjoyment
• Breadth
• Progression
• Depth
• Personalisation and choice
• Coherence
• Relevance
The Eight Curriculum Areas – containing a range of subjects:
• Expressive Arts – including art and design, dance, drama
and music
• Health and Wellbeing – mental, emotional, social and
physical wellbeing, PE, food and health, substance misuse
and relationships, sexual health and parenthood
• Languages – listening and talking, reading and writing in
literacy and English and modern languages, plus classical
languages and literacy and Gàidhlig/Gaelic learners (where
available)
• Mathematics – including analysing information, solving
problems and assessing risk
• Religious and Moral Education (denominational and
non-denominational) – learning about Christianity, other
world religions, and developing values and beliefs
• Sciences – understanding important scientific concepts
across planet Earth, forces, electricity and waves, biological
systems, materials and topical science
• Social Studies – understanding people, place and society
in the past and present including history, geography,
modern studies and business education
• Technologies – including computing science, food,
textiles, craft, design, engineering, graphics and applied
technologies
Stages and levels
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.
Parent guides to the curriculum
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.
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.
Related links
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)
