Education: policy context - ARCHIVED

Getting it Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) is the national approach to improving outcomes and supporting the wellbeing of children and young people. As such GIRFEC and children’s rights underpin the approach to education in Scotland.

Scotland’s education system is undergoing reform, which is being informed by a national discussion.

Curriculum for Excellence sets out the overall curriculum in Scottish Education, with the aim of fostering four capacities in all young people: successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors. Importantly, it includes health and wellbeing as a key area of the curriculum.

The National Improvement Framework sets out a clear vision for Scottish Education, focussing on the twin aims of excellence through raising attainment, and achieving equity with a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap. The national improvement framework and implementation plan sets out the vision, priorities and activities for delivery.

The Scottish Attainment Challenge focusses on closing the poverty related attainment gap and is underpinned by wider policy and legislation.

Scottish Government are committed to expanding the provision of free, high quality, flexible early learning and childcare, with the aims of improving children’s outcomes, addressing the poverty-related attainment gap, increasing family resilience and supporting parents into work, study or training.

A range of national initiatives are in place to provide young people with training and employment opportunities.

Policy actions on higher education have an inequalities focus and include a specific target of 20% of students entering universities being from Scotland's 20% most deprived backgrounds by 2030.