WIREDGOV

Education Secretary Michael Russell has welcomed the publication of the reports of 17 Excellence Groups which highlight best practice in key subjects and areas.

The reports, which include 15 subject reports and reports on excellence in health and wellbeing and on developing young people's skills, emphasise the importance of both subject knowledge and skills such as creative thinking and problem solving.

Many of the reports set out essential learning in their subject area and also highlight the benefits of pupils and teachers making links across normal subject boundaries.

Findings from the Groups include:

• The key place of a rich diet of language and a rich diet of reading, including Scottish texts, in English teaching
• The important opportunities for Modern Studies students to develop a deep awareness and appreciation of democratic systems
• The potential for imaginative approaches to health and wellbeing issues in schools to contribute to better outcomes for young people
• The importance of learning approaches that develop skills through, for example, collaborative learning and research-based learning
• The need for big ideas in science such as genetics and energy, to be presented in a way that develops essential learning logically and thoroughly
• The importance of using local history as a context for lessons on world history to engage pupils
• The opportunities the arts present for promoting creativity across the whole curriculum, and the link between creativity and achievement

Education Secretary Michael Russell said:

"Curriculum for Excellence is already making a real difference and providing our young people with a more interesting education that is also more relevant to real life.

"I am keen that learning and teaching continue to develop and improve in a way that provides young people with essential knowledge and skills. That's why I set up a number of Excellence Groups covering key areas of the curriculum.

"Having now received the reports, I am extremely pleased with the thought, energy and generosity that has gone into them. I am also pleased that they have not shied away from tough issues and have come up with recommendations and commentaries that can stimulate further improvements in our education system.

"The findings in these reports should spark a welcome debate; they will help educators to define excellence within subjects and promote excellence across subject boundaries and I hope they will encourage the whole education system to constantly strive for excellence.

"My thanks go to all those who gave their time to contribute to the work of the Excellence Groups. Of course, the new agency will play a key role in working with Government, local authorities, schools and subject associations to put these reports into practice in our classrooms.

"I will be seeking ways to continue the core work of these groups within the structure and mission of the new body that will replace Learning and Teaching Scotland and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education."

Related Information