WIREDGOV

Scottish school pupils are set to broaden their knowledge on aspects of Scottish life and culture across all areas of learning.

Learning Minister Alasdair Allan recently confirmed the award in Scottish Studies is among a number of recommendations made by the Scottish Studies Working Group that will be taken forward.

The recommendations include:

• Learning about Scotland should be embedded across the curriculum from early years to senior phase
• SQA should investigate how an award in ‘Scottish studies’ might be initiated
• Guidance, resources and support should promote and enable learning about Scotland using a variety of contexts and making the most of Scotland’s rich landscape
• Professional development to build confidence on Scottish themes should be rolled out
• Opportunities to learn Scotland’s languages should be promoted.

 Speaking on a visit to McLaren High School in Callander, Dr Allan said:

“Learning about Scotland should be a natural and normal part of learning for all our young people.

“There are some excellent examples of this already happening, such as in McLaren High School. However, it should not be left to chance whether young people have the opportunity to learn about Scotland’s rich heritage as well as understanding our place in a rapidly changing world.

“The Scottish Government has been clear for the past year that strengthening learning about Scotland should be integral to Curriculum for Excellence and indeed a survey last year showed that 90 per cent of the public are on board with this approach.

“I am therefore pleased that the Scottish Studies Working Group has suggested a sensible and workable set of recommendations including changes to Higher English exams to ensure that every pupil taking them will study Scottish, as well as other, texts.

“With the group’s recommendations is a call for an award in ‘Scottish Studies’. SQA are currently investigating how this could work in practice and we will continue to work with them and other bodies towards making this happen.

“Today is a significant step in the road to ensuring pupils in Scotland understand their country, its history, its achievements and its future.”

Linda Donnelly, a member of the Working Group and head teacher at Carleton Primary School in Glenrothes added:

“Curriculum for Excellence encourages relevance and coherence. Its aim is to provide a flexible and enriched curriculum. The idea of using Scottish studies as a vehicle to achieve this is both exciting and challenging. Learning about Scotland in Carleton Primary school is taught, not a discrete subject but rather as a whole school themed approach. Staff and pupils are encouraged to take the opportunity to learn about Scotland when and wherever possible.

“Exploring Scotland’s rich cultural diversity and understanding Scotland’s role in the wider world are two of the key principles in developing global citizens. I would therefore encourage everyone to embrace the recommendations from the group and help embed learning about Scotland across the curriculum.”

Membership of the Scottish Studies Working Group, chaired by Dr Allan, is as follows:

• Marian Docherty, Newbattle Abbey College
• Linda Donnelly, head teacher at Carleton Primary School, Fife
• Prof Douglas Gifford, University of Glasgow
• John Hodgart, Association of Scottish Literary Studies (ASLS)
• Liz Lochhead, Scots Makar
• Neil McLennan, Scottish Association of Teachers of History (SATH)
• Liz McGlashan, Scottish Association of Geography Teachers (SAGT)
• Dr Lindsay Milligan, Scottish Teacher
  Education Committee (STEC)
• Dr Duncan Ross, University of Glasgow
• Arthur Cormack, Bòrd na Gàidhlig
• Dr Gavin Wallace, Creative Scotland
• Anne Jardine, Education Scotland
• Iain Walford, Historic Scotland
• Robert Quinn, SQA
• Phil Cunningham, musician

Related information

• Scottish Studies