Next steps in curriculum improvement

The most significant reform of Scotland’s curriculum in more than ten years is underway, as the first early samples of new curriculum materials have been shared with councils across the country.

Planned updates to the curriculum, prepared by Education Scotland and co-designed with input from over 1,500 teachers, nursery practitioners, and partners through the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC), will clarify knowledge and progression, making it clearer what children should know, understand and be able to do at every stage of school. 

Discussions are taking place with the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) for two additional in-service days to be offered during the 2026-27 academic year, to help schools prepare for change.

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: 

“The Curriculum Improvement Cycle is driving the single largest update to the curriculum in over a decade. The new curriculum will make the place of knowledge and skills clearer. It will drive excellence. It will be taught in schools from August 2028 and it will be benchmarked against international standards.  

“The materials shared by Education Scotland this week are a preview ahead of the full draft curriculum framework later this year, as we work with the profession on implementation from August 2028.

“We are proposing additional in-service days to provide teachers the time and support needed to prepare for these changes which will support Scotland’s young people to reach their full potential in our education system. These will form part of wider support up to 2028 to ensure teachers can fully engage with the updates and how they can use them in the classroom.”  

Background 

As part of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) co-design process, Education Scotland has shared with councils early draft samples from the new curriculum so that educators have access to materials that can help them understand how curriculum improvement work is progressing. These materials are being developed for distribution to schools for the start of the 2026-27 academic year. A full draft technical Curriculum Framework will be shared in the early autumn.

Subject to agreement with the SNCT, councils will decide the exact dates for the additional in-service days, which are intended to be aligned to the existing autumn and spring holidays, based on local holiday timetables. Dispensation for the in-service days will be granted under the Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

The OECD completed an Independent review of Curriculum for Excellence in 2021, which led to the establishment of the CIC. 

An indicative timeline for education reform was published in June 2025.