The Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) developed from recommendations of the 2021 OECD Review of Scottish Education which recognised the strengths of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), and made a range of suggestions to ensure that this strength would persist into the future. It stated that, Scotland should:
Develop a systematic approach to curriculum review: Scotland could consider establishing a curriculum review cycle with a planned time frame and specific review agenda, led by the specialist stand-alone agency.”
The OECD identified that Scotland did not have a process in place to regularly review its curriculum. The OECD also observed that due to the prominence of education in political debate changes to curriculum often occurred in response to criticism, controversy or one set of attainment data rather than in a planned and proactive way.
The unintended consequence is that Scotland’s Curriculum often evolved in a reactive and inconsistent way. This does not allow for an overview of the whole curriculum to address issues such as overload. Over time this has led to an over-reliance on external independent reviews rather than creating capacity for curriculum review within the system.
In May 2023 the National Discussion on Scottish Education also made recommendations regarding curriculum review. In its call to action Professor Carol Campbell and Professor Alma Harris concluded:
A regular curriculum review process should be established to ensure that the curriculum remains fit for purpose, reflects contemporary learner needs, and can be effectively delivered in ways to ensure that all learners in Scotland have high quality curricular-linked learning experiences.
As part of the review of the curriculum the technical framework of the BGE (including the Experiences and Outcomes) needs to be re-visited to ensure it is still fit for purpose and aligns with emerging recommendations about the Senior Phase from the Independent Review of Assessment and Qualifications.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills announced the establishment of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) for Scotland in December 2023.
Education Scotland was commissioned by the Scottish Government to lead the work in April 2024.
Since the publication of Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence: INTO THE FUTURE (OECD, 2021) the following Independent reviews linked to Curriculum Reform have all informed and continue to contribute to the thinking behind the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC).
| 2021 | Stobart, G (2021) Upper-secondary education student assessment in Scotland: A comparative perspective. OECD, Paris. | |
| 2022 | Muir, K (2022) Putting Learners at the Centre: Towards a Future Vision for Scottish Education. Scottish Government, Edinburgh. | |
| 2023 | Campbell, C & Harris, A (2023) All Learners in Scotland Matter – national discussion on education: final report. Scottish Government, Edinburgh. | |
| 2023 | Withers, J (2023) Fit for the Future: developing a post-school learning system to fuel economic transformation – final report. Scottish Government, Edinburgh. | |
| 2023 | Hayward, L (2023) It’s Our Future: Report of the Independent Review of Qualifications and Assessment. Scottish Government, Edinburgh. | |
| 2024 | Still, K (2024) Learning: For All. For Life. A report from the Independent Review of Community Learning and Development (CLD). Scottish Government, Edinburgh. |
