Scottish education is changing for young people. In August, the new curriculum for children and young people between the ages of three and 18 in Scotland was implemented.
Curriculum for Excellence is being introduced to raise standards of learning and teaching and help improve children's life chances, equipping young people to meet the challenges of the modern world and apply their skills to whatever lies ahead.
So what does this look like in Falkirk schools and how have they been preparing for these changes?
Kinneil Primary School has been creating young business entrepreneurs with their Dragon's Den challenge. The project forms part of the school's financial education week to get children involved in all areas of the curriculum.
Class teacher, Laura Mackie, said the challenge helped the children develop financial skills which are so important in today's world. She explains:
"We wanted to bring learning to life for the children by creating a project that was relevant to the real world of work and employment.
"The Dragon's Den project was designed to be a learning experience that was pupil led and would equip them with life long learning skills such as teamwork, social skills and business confidence."
The children were set the task of designing and creating a mobile phone, tariff and range of accessories suitable for a selected customer. They split into five teams to come up with a mobile phone company, logo and slogan. The pupils held meetings to discuss what makes a good mobile phone including size, shape, materials and functions. Each team discussed the difference between pay as you go and monthly depending on the customer's budget.
Each team was given a case study of a customer such as a single mum, student or company executive from which they discussed what type of contract would be most attractive to this customer. The pupils then created a poster to advertise their product and company.
This information was put into a sales pitch for the 'Dragons Den' with pupils working out how much money they would need to set up the company, what percentage they would require from the investors, how long they would need to pay this back and what profit they could expect.
The children then presented their product and company to the Dragons Den team comprising Head Teacher, Helen Granville, Principal Teacher, Carol Goodall, Laura Mackie, Class Teacher and Michelle Gordon, Falkirk Council Active Numeracy Coordinator.
Laura describes the impact that the project has had on pupils:
"The children were engaged and highly motivated throughout the learning experience. They worked well together and it was very encouraging to see the confidence they displayed while presenting their sales pitches. The children's listening and talking improved immensely from this experience. This is now evident in other areas."
Headteacher Helen Granville said the response from pupils and parents to the changes to-date have been very positive. She said:
"Curriculum for Excellence is building on the best teaching and learning in schools, modernising education to take into account the evolving world around us.
"We want to ensure our pupils leave school equipped with the skills needed for life in the 21st century and Curriculum for Excellence helps teachers teach in a way that is fit for the modern world.
"Teachers are more than happy to talk to parents about any questions they may have about this. We are keen to work with parents closely to ensure their child has a challenging and enjoyable school experience."
Curriculum for Excellence was implemented in all Scottish nursery, primary and secondary schools as well as colleges in August 2010. For more information on how this will affect your child speak to your child's school or visit www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk