Screen Scotland, with Education Scotland and the Scottish Government officially launched the national rollout of Film and Screen into Scotland’s Curriculum at the Dundee Contemporary Arts.
The launch of the new curriculum for Film and Screen took place 10 September 2025.
This is a significant development for the Expressive Arts and for the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland, as it is a world first.
Through three years and three phases of consultation, Screen Scotland devised, designed and delivered a programme to test and evaluate a draft Film and Screen Curriculum. Schools in 30 local authority areas across Scotland, including Shetland, Scottish Borders, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway and Angus have been involved in this globally unique programme delivered to over 6000 children across early years, primary and secondary education.
Four broad areas of learning have been defined. Education Scotland have published a new framework to support the national rollout of the curriculum.
- Creative knowledge and skills
- Critical knowledge and skills
- Cultural knowledge and skills
- Knowledge and understanding of self
The new curriculum for Film and Screen strategically positions the Expressive Arts curriculum in a very strong place, demonstrating the significant positive impact it can have on all our learners, both in terms of attainment and achievement.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth says:
'The arts are vital to the success of Scotland’s young people, inspiring them to develop a wide range of skills.'
The actor and director, James McAvoy, says (see more here): '
It’s not just about the next generations of Scottish filmmakers, it’s about understanding the creative right to be seen and heard and making the space and time for that to happen, for every child in Scotland.'
Image : Drummon Community High School © Neil Hanna