Scottish Education System. We All Came Here From Somewhere

Responsibility The Education system in Scotland is the overall responsibility of the Scottish Government. Schools are owned and operated by each Local Authority in Scotland. Highland Council area is by far the largest Local Authority in Scotland – almost same size as Belgium, but population density is only 8 people per square kilometre, the north of the area has only 2 people per square kilometre. There are 200 nurseries 183 Primary Schools 29 Secondary Schools 3 Special Schools 25 Gaelic Medium nurseries 21 Gaelic Units within a Primary School 1 Music School

In Scotland, a child’s entitlement to education starts at the age of 3. This is Nursery Education, and is offered for 2 ½ hours per day, Monday to Friday. Parents are not obliged to enrol their 3 year old in Nursery, but the vast majority do. This is offered for 2 years. All Local Authority Nurseries follow the same curriculum, which is tied into the schools curriculum. Learning is child led. Primary Education Children start school in Primary 1 from the age of 4 ½ to 5 ½. A substantial number of parents defer entry until the following year if the child is still only 4 years old, as this is considered a very young age at which to start school. Children remain in Primary School for 7 years. They start school at 9.15am and finish at 3.15 Timetables are very flexible, as they are taught by one class teacher throughout the day, and only move classes/teachers for subjects such as PE or music

Languages Schools begin teaching French to primary school children at different ages, usually 10+ years old. In Farr we start French at 7+ years old. They have one French lesson per week at this stage. There are a number of Gaelic Schools and Gaelic Medium Units where all subjects are taught through Gaelic. This continues until the child is in class 3. Reading and writing in English is then introduced. By the end of primary schooling children are using Gaelic and English equally.

High School Secondary School Academy Children move on to High School at the age of 12. They are not required to pass any assessment – they move on to High school automatically. They attend High School for up to 6 years. The minimum school leaving age is 16 Those following further education or university courses stay until they are 18 The school day is timetabled to cover 6 or 7 classes/subjects per day. Generally, the school day begins at 8.45am and finishes at Schools in Scotland all have 12 weeks holiday per year There are a set number of days for teacher training when the children do not attend school, normally about 5 days per year.

curriculum for excellence I Languages, Sciences, Expressive Arts, Technologies, Religious & Moral Education, Social Studies, Maths & Numeracy, Health & Wellbeing. I Each subject above has on average 5 sub-sections. I Each sub-section has on average over 100 Experiences & Outcomes The 4 Capacities of the Curriculum for Excellence Successful Learners Confident Individuals Effective Contributers Responsible Citizens Everything a child does in school during the day will achieve at least one of the 4 capacities. The children are able to explain which of the 4 capacities they have achieved, and how. To start with, we kept wall charts, and discuss which/ why/how, etc, after each lesson, but now it is natural for them to think this way.

Expressive Arts Social Studies Art and Design Dance Drama Music. Religious and Moral Education Christianity World religions Development of beliefs and values People, past events and Societies People, place, and environment People in society, economy, and business Sciences Planet earth Forces, Electricity and Waves Biological Systems Materials Topical science

Technologies Technological developments in society ICT to enhance learning Business contexts for developing technological skills and knowledge Computing science contexts for developing technological skills and knowledge Food and textiles contexts for developing technological skills and knowledge Craft, design, engineering and graphics contexts for developing technological skills and knowledge Maths and Numeracy Number money and measure Shape position and movement Information handling

Languages Classical languages Gaelic (learners) Literacy and English Literacy and Gàidhlig Modern languages Health and Wellbeing Planning for choices and changes Physical activity and sport Food Mental and emotional wellbeing Social wellbeing Physical wellbeing Substance misuse Relationships, sexual health and parenthood. School Leavers statistics show 88% in what is called ‘Positive Destinations’ This leaves 12% unaccounted for. They may be unemployed, but could also have set off travelling the world