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Fighting to close Scotland’s attainment gap

CPD Government policy Senior leadership Teaching staff
Since the beginning, Curriculum for Excellence has focused unerringly on content. As its implementation phase draws to a close, we must now refocus on teachers and pedagogy. Margaret Alcorn says this is key if we are to have an impact on the attainment gap

In their report Improving Scotland’s Schools, published in 2015, the OECD wrote that “Scotland has a historic high regard for education”.

It praised many aspects of the Scottish system, and noted that “learners are enthusiastic and motivated, teachers are engaged and professional, and system leaders are highly committed”.

In response, our first minister Nicola Sturgeon acknowledged that there was much to celebrate in the report, but that this positive picture was not universal, and that for many young people, particularly those living in poverty, schools were not getting it right.

She asked that her government be judged on its ability to close the attainment gap that blights the life chances of far too many children, families and communities.

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