CFE

At The Gordon Schools our pupils follow Curriculum for Excellence (CFE). This page is designed to provide information on Curriculum For Excellence through the various stages of the secondary school path.

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WHAT IS CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE?

Curriculum for Excellence is the national curriculum for Scottish schools for learners from age 3 to 18.The Curriculum for Excellence was implemented in schools in 2010-11, with the inauguration of National courses for secondary schools in session 2013/2014. The implementation of Curriculum for Excellence is overseen by Education Scotland. The examining body for Curriculum for Excellence courses is the SQA. Curriculum for Excellence aims to provide a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from 3 to 18

 

THE FOUR CAPACITIES

The purpose of the curriculum is to enable each child or young person to be a successful learner, a confident individual, a responsible citizen and an effective contributor.

The curriculum aims to ensure that all young people in Scotland develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they will need if they are to flourish in life, learning and work, now and in the future. The four capacities are outlined below:

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BROAD GENERAL EDUCATION

In S1, S2 and S3 (Junior Phase) pupils will follow a program of Broad General Education (BGE). Although the school day is structured differently to primary school, Broad General Education is a continuation of the CFE path pupils will have begun in the primary phase. The aim of Broad General Education is to provide pupils with a wide range of knowledge, skills and experiences that they can draw on as their lives, careers and job opportunities continue to change. Further information on Broad General Education can be found here on the Education Scotland website as well as in the Education Scotland Briefing Paper for parents and carers on Broad General Education at secondary school level.

SENIOR PHASE QUALIFICATIONS

In S4, S5 and S6 (Senior Phase) young people have the opportunity to take qualifications and courses that suit their ability and interests. These qualifications replace former Standard Grade, Access and Intermediate qualifications.

 

Which qualifications are changing?

  • Access 1 and Access 2 have been replaced by National 1 and National 2
  • Access 3 and Standard Grade (Foundation level) have been replaced by National 3
  • Standard Grade (General level) and Intermediate 1 have been replaced by National 4
  • Standard Grade (Credit level) and Intermediate 2 have been replaced by National 5
  • Higher will be replaced by Higher (new)
  • Advanced Higher will be replaced by Advanced Higher (new)

 

NATIONAL 1

As with all National Qualifications, National 1 courses are designed to build on the learning developed in BGE phases. Not all subjects are offered at National 1 level. The courses consist of various units which must be passed by the learner to gain a certificate. National 1 assessment is conducted internally with evidence being retained by schools for verification by the SQA.

For quick and handy  information on National 1 please see the National Forum for Parent Council’s Nationals in a Nutshell – National 1 document.

 

NATIONAL 2

National 2 courses are also designed to build on the learning and skills developed in BGE phases. Not all subjects are offered at National 2 level. The courses consist of various units which must be passed by the learner to gain a certificate. National 2 assessment is conducted internally with evidence being retained by schools for verification by the SQA.

For quick and handy information on National 2 please see the National Forum for Parent Council’s Nationals in a Nutshell – National 2 document.

 

NATIONAL 3

National 3 courses are replacing Access 3 and Standard Grade (Foundational level) courses. A wide range of subjects are offered at National 3 level. The courses consist of various units which must be passed by the learner to gain a certificate. National 3 assessment is conducted internally with evidence being retained by schools for verification by the SQA.

For quick and handy information on National 3 please see the National Forum for Parent Council’s Nationals in a Nutshell – National 3 document.

 

NATIONAL 4

National 4 courses are replacing Standard Grade (General level) and Intermediate 1 courses. Most subjects are offered at National 4 level. The courses consist of various units which must be passed by the learner to gain a certificate including a mandatory Added Value Unit. National 4 assessment is conducted internally with evidence being retained by schools for verification by the SQA.

For quick and handy information on National 4 please see the National Forum for Parent Council’s Nationals in a Nutshell – National Qualifications Assessment document.

 

NATIONAL 5

National 5 courses are replacing Standard Grade (Credit level) and Intermediate 2 courses. The courses consist of various units which must be passed by the learner to gain a certificate – unit assessments are conducted internally and evidence is retained for SQA verification. National 5 course assessment is conducted externally by the SQA in formal examinations.

For quick and handy information on National 5 please see the National Forum for Parent Council’s (NFPC) Nationals in a Nutshell – National Qualifications Assessment document.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION – NATIONAL 4 & NATIONAL 5

Subject specific National 4 and National 5 documents have been produced as part of the NFPC’s ‘Nationals in a Nutshell’ series. The full range can be found here.

The SQA information on National Qualifications, including a search engine for NQ Subjects and NQ Units, can be found here.

Education Scotland information and advice on National Qualifications can be found here.