23 May 2012
Heads of Nursery, Primary, Secondary and Special Schools
College Principals
Local Authority Chief Executives and Directors of Education
Community Learning and Development (CLD) Managers
Scottish Council of Independent Schools
Dear Colleague
CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 2012 - 13
I am writing on behalf of the Curriculum for Excellence Implementation Group, which I convened
recently on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary, to highlight and thank you for the positive progress being
made in implementing CfE. As Chair of the Group, I would also like to share with you the priorities we
have identified to June 2013.
The CfE Management Board asked for annual progress reports in December 2011 and in 2012 to
provide evidence of progress towards delivering the CfE entitlements. All the CfE delivery partners,
including education authorities (represented by ADES), Education Scotland, SQA, Scotland’s Colleges,
Scottish Teacher Education Committee and Skills Development Scotland contributed to that report.
The education authorities’ submissions were based on collations of progress reports from individual
establishments, drawn from their Standards and Quality reports for session 2010-2011.
In January 2012, the CfE Management Board considered the first annual report up to December 2011.
That report recognised the strong progress in key areas and across early years, primary and secondary
schools. For example, learners are increasingly experiencing a more coherent curriculum, which
provides learning across the four contexts and allows for progression and smooth transitions. Teachers
are making increased use of Experiences and Outcomes in curriculum planning and are growing more
confident in their use in learning and teaching. Learners are more actively engaged in their learning.
Whilst planning for the Senior Phase is still at an early stage, partners are working together to provide
learners with a wide range of experiences and new courses, awards and qualifications. Across all
sectors, learners are beginning to benefit from improved approaches to developing skills for learning,
life and work. Learners are increasingly involved in reviewing their learning, setting learning goals and
planning opportunities for personal achievement. Education authorities’ 16+ plans are improving. The
full CfE Management Board report has now been published and can be accessed on the Education
Scotland website.
Denholm House
Almondvale Business Park
Almondvale Way
Livingston
EH54 6GA
T
E
0141 282 5000
enquiries@educationscotland.gov.uk
www.educationscotland.gov.uk
Transforming lives through learning
23 May 2012
2
The CfE annual report also identified specific areas where further action is required. The priorities are
to focus on key aspects of assessment, the broad general education, transition to the senior phase, and
the senior phase itself, including preparations for the new qualifications and planning senior phase
structures. To help you in preparing your local implementation arrangements to address these
priorities, I attach a CfE Implementation Plan for the period to June 2013. This plan sets out the
objectives we need to achieve, the activities at local level that will be required to achieve these
objectives, and the national support that will be available.
I know that you will join me in celebrating the progress which all those involved are making in achieving
real change for our children and young people through Curriculum for Excellence. I also hope that you
will find the new Implementation Plan helpful in preparing for the next stage of implementation in your
local authority, schools, colleges, and early years and community learning settings.
Yours sincerely
Dr Bill Maxwell
Chair of CfE implementation group
Enc