COUNCIL SAYS "CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE TO BE BROUGHT TO LIFE FOR PARENTS"

Teachers in Argyll and Bute will soon be using a new toolkit to help explain changes to the school curriculum to parents.

The resource aims to give parents and carers more information about how the new curriculum will affect their children and how they can get involved.

Schools in Argyll and Bute are currently preparing and developing their plans for implementation of Curriculum for Excellence in August 2010. This resource lets teachers show parents examples of how learning will change with film clips, images and slides to bring it to life.

Leaflets have also been developed for parents which explain each level - early years, primary and secondary. In addition, posters have been printed for school notice boards and sent to every school.

Councillor Isobel Strong, Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “I am delighted that this toolkit is now being rolled out. Curriculum for Excellence represents a significantly different approach to the way in which learning and teaching has traditionally been carried out, and it is very important that parents understand the changes and what they are designed to achieve.

“I am sure parents in Argyll and Bute will welcome both the information itself and the fact that they will largely be hearing it from the teachers themselves, who will of course be at the forefront of delivering the Curriculum for Excellence.”

Education Secretary Michael Russell has urged teachers to take advantage of the new resource to update parents on the Curriculum for Excellence.

Mr Russell said: "As changes to learning and teaching begin to take place in schools around Scotland, we know parents want to hear more about what's going on.

“Our research shows that they want to hear from those who are teaching their children. That's why we've worked with parents and teachers to put together a flexible toolkit - containing film clips, case studies, and a bank of slides to make sure teachers can feel confident explaining the changes.

"I'd encourage headteachers and teachers to think about when is best to talk to their parents about these changes, perhaps at an upcoming parents evening, and use the parts of this toolkit they feel will work best for them.”

Gerry McTiernan, a member of the National Parent Forum, said: "We are embracing exciting times in Scottish education. Parents need and want to be part of this welcome development and we look forward to Curriculum for Excellence giving all our children a better education and better opportunities. I hope the new toolkit will encourage schools and parents to take Curriculum for Excellence forward together."

The resource was developed following research which showed parents want more information about Curriculum for Excellence from teachers and their child's school. The toolkit was developed by Learning and Teaching Scotland with the National Parental Involvement Coordinator, parents, headteachers, teachers, and council staff across Scotland.

Parents should ask their child’s school for more information on the new curriculum or visit www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk

Bernard McLeary, Chief Executive of Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS), the education body that led on the production of the Parent Toolkit, said : “The aim of this resource is to provide teachers with the confidence to engage with parents about Curriculum for Excellence and help them understand the positive impact that the new education system will have on their children. I’m confident that the Parent Toolkit will play a key role in ensuring that all Scotland’s parents are fully up to speed with the implementation of the new curriculum.”

The Parent Toolkit can be viewed online at www.curriculumforexcellence.org.uk