The work to review and update Scotland’s 3-18 sciences curriculum is now well underway. The Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) process, which began for sciences in November 2024, offers a structured way to review and refresh the 3–18 sciences curriculum. The ambition is for the revised sciences curriculum to reflect current scientific developments, build the knowledge and skills needed for future careers, and equip children and young people with the confidence to meet society’s challenges. Practitioners, learners, parents, carers, and partner organisations will all play an important role in shaping the future of science education.

The co-design process  is being shaped by the following groups:

• The Sciences Collaboration Group brings together around 100 participants to represent different local authorities, sectors, roles, and experience. Around 70% of attendees are practising teachers and educators. Members meet face-to-face twice a year, with online meetings taking place as needed. The role of the group is to identify what’s working, explore improvements, test emerging ideas, gather feedback and share learning. Membership is refreshed regularly to ensure new voices join while maintaining the group’s collective expertise.
• The Sciences Core Group is a subset of the Collaboration Group, made up of 30 participants. Its role is to co-design distil and refine the ideas and thinking of the Collaboration Group. The group’s work feeds back to the Collaboration Group for further development and iteration.
• The Sciences Critical Friends network provides wider perspectives to complement those of the Collaboration Group. The role of the network is to act as a sounding board and to critically review proposals and outputs. There are a number of Critical Friends groups for sciences including for: Senior Phase, Children and Young People, Technicians, ASN, industry voices etc.
• The Sciences Steering Group guides the strategic direction of the sciences CIC process. It is co-chaired by the Association of Directors of Education (ADES), Education Scotland, and the Scottish Government and includes 10–15 representatives from local and national government and initial teacher education.

The key reports and outputs from previous Sciences CIC events and workshops are available below. This blog will be updated as the CIC process progresses – so keep checking back to keep up to date.

Collaboration Group Day 1 (November 2024)

Summary report: Collaboration Group Day 1 – 3 page summary

Full report: Collaboration Group Day 1 – Event Summary

Event Padlet link:  Sciences Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) Collaboration Group 28.11.24 Padlet

Core Group Workshop 1 (March 2025)

Workshop report:  Core Group 4-day workshop – Report

Collaboration Group Day 2 (June 2025)

Summary report:  Collaboration Group Day 2 – Summary Report

Full report: Collaboration Group Day 2 – Full Report

Event Padlet link: Sciences CIC Collaboration Group Day 2 12.06.25 Padlet

Senior Phase Focus Group (June 2025)

Focus group report: Senior Phase Focus Group Report June 2025

 

Science Newsletter

Each term, the Education Scotland Science Team shares a newsletter filled with updates, insights, and resources designed to support science practitioners across Scotland. Whether you work in early learning, primary, secondary, or community settings — or lead within a department, faculty, or STEM initiative — the newsletter offers a window into the ongoing work of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle and highlights opportunities to stay connected with the wider science network.

Inside each edition, you’ll find:

• Curriculum updates – Key developments and insights from the Curriculum Improvement Cycle

• Spotlight stories – Exploring a specific area of focus or interest each term.

• Professional learning opportunities – Events, webinars, and workshops to enhance your practice

• Networking tips – Ways to connect with fellow educators and share ideas

Don’t miss out! Click the links below to access the latest edition and explore past newsletters. Stay informed, inspired, and connected to Scotland’s vibrant science education community.

Term 1 –  Science Newsletter September 2025

Term 2 – Science Newsletter November 2025

 

Network Webinars

The Education Scotland Science Team has scheduled a series of webinars for practitioners from all sectors to support understanding of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle and to share progress on the development of a futures-oriented 3–18 sciences curriculum. These webinars provide a space for practitioners to engage directly with the work of the Science Team and contribute their perspectives.

Following requests from attendees, we are pleased to share the PowerPoint presentations from these past webinars. During the sessions, practitioner input was actively sought and collated, helping to inform and shape the ongoing work of the improvement cycle.

What you’ll find in the presentations:

• Updates and insights from the Curriculum Improvement Cycle

• Key themes and findings gathered from practitioner engagement

• Emerging priorities and considerations for a forward-looking science curriculum

Access the presentations below to explore the content from past webinars and stay connected with the conversation shaping Scotland’s science curriculum.

Webinar 1 – Science Network Webinar Meeting 17.09.25

Webinar 2 –Science Network Webinar Meeting 29.10.25

Webinar 3 – 26.11.2025 Register here:Sciences Network – Curriculum Improvement Cycle Webinar 3

Webinar 4 – 10.12.2025 Register here: Sciences Network – Curriculum Improvement Cycle Webinar 4

Keep up to date

• Scottish educators can join our national sciences network on Glow to be kept up to date with developments. Use joining link https://bit.ly/3WfFnBl and joining code: uh9sf32
• For all other information about the Curriculum Improvement Cycle Process, visit our CIC blog: Curriculum Improvement Cycle – Education Scotland
• If you have any questions about the sciences CIC process then contact us on email: science@educationscotland.gov.scot