16 July 2026
Scotland begins biggest curriculum reform in over a decade
The Scottish Government has announced the first phase of the most significant update to Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence in more than a decade. As part of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) co-design process, Education Scotland has shared early draft curriculum materials with local authorities, providing educators with insight into how curriculum reform is progressing and supporting preparation for future implementation.
The draft materials have been developed through extensive engagement with more than 1,500 teachers, early-years practitioners and education partners across Scotland, ensuring that practitioner experience and expertise continue to shape the future direction of the curriculum.
The refreshed curriculum aims to strengthen the balance between knowledge and skills while providing greater clarity about what learners should know, understand and be able to do at every stage of their education. The reforms are intended to improve learner engagement, attendance and attainment, while ensuring Scotland's curriculum is benchmarked against international standards.
A full draft Curriculum Framework will be published later this year, with implementation support for schools beginning during the 2026–27 academic year. Subject to agreement, additional teacher in-service days will support preparation ahead of the refreshed curriculum being introduced from August 2028. The reforms form part of Scotland's longer term Curriculum Improvement Cycle, established following the OECD review of Curriculum for Excellence.
Read more about the next steps in curriculum improvement.
The draft materials have been developed through extensive engagement with more than 1,500 teachers, early-years practitioners and education partners across Scotland, ensuring that practitioner experience and expertise continue to shape the future direction of the curriculum.
The refreshed curriculum aims to strengthen the balance between knowledge and skills while providing greater clarity about what learners should know, understand and be able to do at every stage of their education. The reforms are intended to improve learner engagement, attendance and attainment, while ensuring Scotland's curriculum is benchmarked against international standards.
A full draft Curriculum Framework will be published later this year, with implementation support for schools beginning during the 2026–27 academic year. Subject to agreement, additional teacher in-service days will support preparation ahead of the refreshed curriculum being introduced from August 2028. The reforms form part of Scotland's longer term Curriculum Improvement Cycle, established following the OECD review of Curriculum for Excellence.
Read more about the next steps in curriculum improvement.
0 Comments
