Education in Scotland
The education system in Scotland has traditionally focused on
providing a broad education for its students with low levels of
specialisation. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework
exists in place of the GCSE and A-Level system found in the other
home nations.
In Scotland, the curriculum is not prescribed by statute and the
responsibility for its delivery and management rests with education
authorities and school managers. However, national guidelines on
the curriculum are provided by the Scottish Executive Education
Department and by Learning and Teaching Scotland. The non-statutory
5 to 14 curriculum is divided into five broad areas:
- language
- mathematics
- environmental studies
- expressive arts
- religious and moral education
Scotish schools use the 'Curriculum for Excellence' (CFE).
Phases of primary education in Scotland
| Phase of
education |
Type of
institution |
Year/grade key |
Typical age |
| Primary Education |
Public Schools |
P7 |
11-12 |
| P6 |
10-11 |
| P5 |
9-10 |
| P4 |
8-9 |
| P3 |
7-8 |
| P2 |
6-7 |
| P1 |
5-6 |
| Pre-school |
. |
Nursery |
3-4 |
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework exists in place
of the GCSE and A-Level system found in the other home nations. The
education system in Scotland has traditionally focused on providing
a broad education for its students with low levels of
specialisation. This contrasts to the systems in operation in
England, Wales, and Northern Ireland which have traditionally
provided greater specialisation at an early age at the expense of
the breadth.
Scotish schools use the 'Curriculum for Excellence' (CFE).
Phases of secondary education in Scotland
| Phase of education |
Type of institution |
Year/grade key |
Typical age |
| Secondary Education |
No specific name, although most
institutions are called High Schools, Academies, Secondary Schools
or Grammar Schools. IghH |
S6/ Sixth year |
17-18 |
| S5/ Fifth year |
16-17 |
| S4 |
15-16 |
| S3 |
14-15 |
| S2 |
13-14 |
| S1 |
12-13 |
Maths in the curriculum
The new Curriculum for Excellence encompasses the teaching of
all subjects for 3 to 18 years old. A link to overarching
experiences for all levels for mathematics is below:
http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence/mathematics/index.asp