Citizenship Education in Scotland
The Curriculum
Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence is described in terms of eight broad curriculum areas:
• Expressive arts
• Health and wellbeing
• Languages
• Numeracy
• Religious and moral education
• Sciences
• Social Studies
• Technologies
These ‘areas’ are not intended to be ‘timetabled’ - it is for schools to think creatively about the way in which learning is organised.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/thecurriculum/howisthecurriculumorganised/curriculumareas/index.asp
The Curriculum for Excellence is described in terms of a large number of "Experiences and Outcomes" across the eight areas, and young people acquire knowledge and skills as they progress through their school education. Our aspiration is that young Scots become "successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors".
How citizenship education is specified in the curriculum
Citizenship is a non-statutory component of the Scottish curriculum. It is not viewed as a separate subject; rather it is seen as a cross-cutting theme that should permeate not only the curriculum but also particular processes and practices of school life. For example, pupil involvement in decision-making about school life.
For example, learning in the Social Studies will enable students to:
• develop my understanding of the history, heritage and culture of Scotland, and an appreciation of my local and national heritage within the world
• broaden my understanding of the world by learning about human activities and achievements in the past and present
• develop my understanding of my own values, beliefs and cultures and those of others
• develop my understanding of the principles of democracy and citizenship through experience of critical and independent thinking
• explore and evaluate different types of sources and evidence
• learn how to locate, explore and link periods, people and events in time and place
• learn how to locate, explore and link features and places locally and further afield
• engage in activities which encourage enterprising attitudes
• develop an understanding of concepts that stimulate enterprise and influence business
• establish firm foundations for lifelong learning and for further specialised study and careers.
National standards or expectations of pupils
There are no nationally binding standards, although the schools Inspectorate (HMIE) produced a set of self-evaluation indicators and illustrations for schools in 2003. Global citizenship themes feature across the new curriculum framework.
Practice
Education Scotland works with a number of partners, including local authorities, teachers, NGOs and Universities, to enhance and support current school practice in education for global citizenship. Pupils in Scotland benefit from a wide range of citizenship-related opportunities open to them within and out of school.
Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence is described in terms of eight broad curriculum areas:
• Expressive arts
• Health and wellbeing
• Languages
• Numeracy
• Religious and moral education
• Sciences
• Social Studies
• Technologies
These ‘areas’ are not intended to be ‘timetabled’ - it is for schools to think creatively about the way in which learning is organised.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/thecurriculum/howisthecurriculumorganised/curriculumareas/index.asp
The Curriculum for Excellence is described in terms of a large number of "Experiences and Outcomes" across the eight areas, and young people acquire knowledge and skills as they progress through their school education. Our aspiration is that young Scots become "successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors".
How citizenship education is specified in the curriculum
Citizenship is a non-statutory component of the Scottish curriculum. It is not viewed as a separate subject; rather it is seen as a cross-cutting theme that should permeate not only the curriculum but also particular processes and practices of school life. For example, pupil involvement in decision-making about school life.
For example, learning in the Social Studies will enable students to:
• develop my understanding of the history, heritage and culture of Scotland, and an appreciation of my local and national heritage within the world
• broaden my understanding of the world by learning about human activities and achievements in the past and present
• develop my understanding of my own values, beliefs and cultures and those of others
• develop my understanding of the principles of democracy and citizenship through experience of critical and independent thinking
• explore and evaluate different types of sources and evidence
• learn how to locate, explore and link periods, people and events in time and place
• learn how to locate, explore and link features and places locally and further afield
• engage in activities which encourage enterprising attitudes
• develop an understanding of concepts that stimulate enterprise and influence business
• establish firm foundations for lifelong learning and for further specialised study and careers.
National standards or expectations of pupils
There are no nationally binding standards, although the schools Inspectorate (HMIE) produced a set of self-evaluation indicators and illustrations for schools in 2003. Global citizenship themes feature across the new curriculum framework.
Practice
Education Scotland works with a number of partners, including local authorities, teachers, NGOs and Universities, to enhance and support current school practice in education for global citizenship. Pupils in Scotland benefit from a wide range of citizenship-related opportunities open to them within and out of school.
Useful links
- Education Scotland - Scottish Government's national agency for quality and improvement in Scottish education, including curriculum development, support and challenge
- Curriculum Areas in the Scottish curriculum (Education Scotland)
- The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland
- Scottish Government/UNCRC