Cf E Management Board – 24 September 2013 – Paper 3.1
Paper for Curriculum for Excellence Management Board Meeting: August
2013
Update from the Curriculum for Excellence Implementation Group
The Curriculum for Excellence Implementation Group has met once since the
last meeting of the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board on
27 August 2013. The next meeting is scheduled for 27 November 2013. Key
points discussed at the group are as follows.
Programme Plan – overall progress

The overall programme remains on track for delivery according to plan.
Following the development and publication of the CfE Implementation
Plan for 2013/14, it was agreed that the programme plan and milestone
report should now be updated.
 It was agreed that the status of the Qualifications project be moved to
'Amber' as a result of a number of internal IS issues relating to system
performance (impacting on the Quality Assurance of Internal Assessment
project); the scheduling of formal change requests and uncertainty over
the preliminary schedule for delivery of eMarking requirements for 2014.
This has necessitated increased focus and progress reporting which will
continue until resolution is achieved. This did not affect the completion of
significant external-facing deliverables that were communicated to
stakeholders on time and in full on 9th August.
 There are currently three live issues registered on the CfE Programme
Issues log which include:
1. Keeping track of the variation in the implementation of the Senior
Phase and subject choices being developed within individual
schools and ensuring they varied models adopted do not breach
core principles of CfE.
2. Parental concerns about the curriculum model and number of
subjects being adopted in some individual schools which are
perceived by some as disadvantaging their children.
3. EIS have asked what additional exemplification and training is
being provided for National 4 English by SQA. There is a concern
that, if similar demands on SQA emerge for other subjects, these
would have to be resourced.
These issues are being carefully managed and monitored through the
monthly Programme Management meetings.
Risks and mitigating actions
There are currently four red risks on the CfE Risk Register, three of which are
carried over from the previous reporting period. The fourth red risk is a new risk
and relates to the development of the Senior Phase Benchmarking Tool (SPBT)
and the culture change required to realise its benefits.
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Cf E Management Board – 24 September 2013 – Paper 3.1
There was considerable discussion about these risks and the actions being
taken to mitigate against them. It was agreed that the red status afforded these
risks was an accurate reflection of the situation, but that an appropriate range of
active mitigation actions were being taken in each case.
Two additional risks were identified during this reporting period, currently both at
amber:


There is a risk that the implementation of National 3 and 4
English/Literacy qualifications will result in the perception that some
candidates will be disadvantaged.
There is a risk that S4 school leavers (from Christmas onwards) who are
first to leave school after full secondary experience under CfE could be
disadvantaged as employers, schools, parents, colleges are not
prepared for young people with different sets of achievements and
experiences.
The Group is content that appropriate mitigating action is being planned in both
cases.
Communications and engagement



The Group noted that all milestones within the Communication Strategy
for June – July 2013 were delivered in full and on schedule.
The Group noted that further CfE briefings around Planning for Learning
were published online. SQA issued monthly updates to its customers,
partners and advertorials were also published in a range of publications in
this period.
A CfE Overview leaflet for parents will be launched in Dundee on
9 September and then distributed to schools for sharing with parents.
Senior Phase Curriculum Models and Qualifications
The Group were pleased to note that positive feedback was coming in from
schools regarding the professional focus papers. Further curriculum briefings
were being developed including one on Political Literacy. Issues relating to
‘exceptional circumstances’ continue to be closely monitored through Education
Scotland’s Area Lead Officer network.
Curriculum for Excellence Implementation Plan 2013-14
CfE Implementation Plan 2013-14 has been published with copies sent to all
authorities to distribute to schools.
Senior Phase Benchmarking Tool project
The group was provided with a verbal update on the Senior Phase
Benchmarking Tool work stream. The Group noted the progress being made,
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Cf E Management Board – 24 September 2013 – Paper 3.1
and discussed the objectives to be accomplished in the next few months,
including the launch of a prototype at the Scottish learning Festival in
September.
It was agreed that the next phase of activity needed to develop the plan for
supporting ‘roll out’ of the tool to schools, to ensure it was well used for selfevaluation and performance improvement when it becomes available.
The Group also discussed the importance of work now being taken forward by
Scottish Government to clarify what form National Statistics on school
performance from 2014 onwards, including issues around the presentation of
National Qualifications which will require very careful consideration to avoid
misrepresentation and confusion.
Benefits Realisation Strategy
A paper developed for presentation to the RSE Education Committee was
tabled and a verbal update provided. The paper outlines the key strands of the
benefits realisation strategy and begins to define the parameters and focus of
the approach. It was agreed that further discussion was required with the Board
in terms of governance arrangements.
Dr Bill Maxwell
Chair, Curriculum for Excellence Implementation Group
11 September 2013
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