The learning Context

The Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes provide the framework for children’s and young people’s learning in Scotland.The curriculum aims to provide children and young people with skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work through eight curriculum areas:

• Expressive arts
• Health and wellbeing
• Languages
• Mathematics
• Religious and moral education
• Sciences
• Social studies
• Technologies

Within the Health and Wellbeing Experiences and outcomes children and young people have the opportunity to learn about; Mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing, Planning for choices and changes, Physical education, physical activity and sport, Food and health, Substance misuse and Relationships, sexual health and parenthood.  As part of this final section there is an outcome at level four which is about young people knowing about where to get support and help with situations involving abuse and that there are laws which protect them from different kinds of abuse (HWB 3-49b HWB 4-49b).  This outcome and others related to Relationships, sexual health and parenthood within the health and wellbeing organiser enables discussions to take place as part of the curriculum on a number of aspects relating to domestic abuse.  These can be supported by the many resources which are outlined in the Resources section [link to resources].

Under the Equality Act 2010 schools have a number of duties in relation to sex (gender).  There are duties in relation to the prevention of direct, and indirect discrimination and discrimination by perception and association.  The Equality and Human Rights Commission has developed a Code of Practice for schools on the provisions of the Act.  These provisions ensure gender equality in schools, and support the development of an equal and fair ethos and culture in schools, from which domestic abuse can be considered.

All Scottish schools have a duty to be health promoting.  A school is a health promoting school if it provides activities and an environment and facilities which promote the physical, social, mental and emotional health and wellbeing of pupils.  These duties complement the Health and Wellbeing Experiences and Outcomes in Curriculum for Excellence and underpin the delivery of learning and teaching on health and wellbeing issues, for example resilience and mental health and wellbeing which are important in the context of domestic abuse.