About Curriculum for Excellence
Scotland’s curriculum – Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) – helps our children and young people gain the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for life in the 21st century. It is divided into two phases: the broad general education and the senior phase.
A refreshed narrative on Scotland's curriculum, which sets CfE within the current context, was published in September 2019. It is available in both English and in Gaelic.
Following on from the recommendations in the 2021 Review of Scottish Education: Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence (OECD), a collaborative & ambitious process is now in place for reviewing and evolving Scotland’s curriculum. This is called the Curriculum Improvement Cycle and more information can be found below.
The Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC)
Education Scotland has been commissioned by the Scottish Government to lead the work of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) for Scotland.
What is Curriculum for Excellence?
A quick introduction to Scotland’s 3-18 curriculum with links to key documents.
The purpose of the curriculum
Find information on the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence.
Curriculum stages
Information about the different stages of the curriculum including Broad general Education, the Senior Phase, and beyond.
Curriculum support
Approaches used to promote inclusion and equality in Scottish education.