Dundee’s education director reckons exam results will improve thanks to the new school curriculum.
Michael Wood has drawn up a report for councillors on the local implementation of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE).
In it he explains: ”It is highly likely that as pupils study a smaller range of subjects in more depth with more time to consolidate learning that attainment levels will significantly rise.”
CfE has proved controversial, with vocal opposition from teaching unions. One local authority has decided to delay introducing one of its key elements, the National 4 and 5 exams.
Among the concerns expressed has been that CfE will result in pupils studying fewer subjects in the senior phase of school from S4 to S6. From the current eight subjects, the maximum will fall to six.
But Mr Wood says: ”All schools in Dundee are fully committed to ensuring that this radical reform does what it is intended to do raise standards, continue to improve learning and teaching and significantly improve experiences and educational outcomes for all pupils.
”Pupils will be expected to work towards a set of qualifications at a rate and pace that suits each individual. The relationship, therefore, between the curriculum and national qualifications becomes of key significance.
”It is expected that we can further raise attainment as pupils are better prepared and progress through levels of qualifications that suit their interests, abilities and career intentions.”
Exam results in Dundee have long been near the bottom of the local authority league table, although there have been improvements in recent years.
Mr Wood adds that in addition to raising attainment generally, the education department wants to see CfE used to narrow the gap between the best and worst results. Almost all pupils should leave school functionally literate and numerate.
As one of the main aims of CfE is to prepare children for life after school, the director is also keen to see a rise in the proportion of school leavers who find a job or who go on to higher education.
Councillor Liz Fordyce, education convener, said: ”The report explains that our secondary schools are well placed to deliver this new and flexible curriculum.
”I know that teachers have been working hard on the implementation of the curriculum for some time now and I would like to thank them for their efforts in taking this forward.
”We have organised a series of events with parents to take them through the curriculum to answer any question or queries they may have. The head teachers of our secondary schools are closely involved with these developments and they have helped to shape the report committee.”
The education committee will be asked on Monday to agree to an update on the senior phase of CfE being reported to them in December.