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5-18 Curriculum

The National Guidelines of the 5-18 curriculum is designed so that all students, "regardless of age, gender, physical and social circumstances, enjoy an educational experience [...] that is coherent, continuous and challenging." (p.1) This is achieved by giving each area of study their own particular guidelines to follow. History place within Environmental Studies plays a big part in ensuring these goals are attained. Some of the key ideas of this 5 -18 curriculum are breadth, progression and continuity of learning. To ensure that these aims are met, they must be developed within the framework, course planning and attainment outcomes for History.

The curriculum is designed with many features to enable students to get the most out of their education. This framework is designed to offer students knowledge and understanding, and one the most important ways to achieve this is by offering a breadth to a students learning of history, which is varied and accessible. For the process to be successful, a wide spectrum of historical knowledge must be taught in a succinct manner. Students are given a variety of historical topics to choose from, starting in Standard Grade with Changing Life in Scotland and Britain, International Co-operation and Conflict and People and Power. As students move on into the Intermediate levels, the Higher Grade and then Advanced Higher, the courses, while remaining on the same topics, broaden and expand by offering students a more focused approach to these same subject matter. "The aims of the course are to acquire breadth and depth in the knowledge and understanding of historical topics and to develop skills of explaining developments and events, and evaluating sources (p.5, Intermediate 1 web site?) These courses are also studied across a wide breadth of places such as Scotland, Britain and Europe, as well as throughout historical times, such as Medieval, Early Modern and Later Modern periods.

The 5-18 Curriculum in History...