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 Highland schools and how have they been preparing for these changes?
Primary 1 pupils at Merkinch Primary School in Inverness have been discovering how maths is used in the real world with a cross curricular project called Money Counts.
The children took part in lessons around the theme of a hardware store which is set an area outside their classroom. By working together in small groups the pupils undertook a variety of tasks, including creating a catalogue of goods to be sold in the shop with pictures and written labels. Using Beebots, a robot for children, the pupils had to find their way around a prepared grid with photographs of a local hardware store to retrieve goods. They then listed and set up the class hardware store to sell goods to other children.
The project was developed from ideas given by the children to deliver an engaging learning experience that allowed pupils to learn in a way that works for them, at a pace they can cope with and with enough challenge to stretch them.
Headteacher, Fay Broadley describes the benefits that this project has given pupils. She said: "The children are developing an awareness of how money is used is a way that is enjoyable, challenging and relevant. By developing their understanding of how shops operate in a practical situation they are also learning to work together and developing skills from across other areas of the curriculum.
"At Merkinch Primary School we are focused on developing effective contributors and we want our pupils to be engaged in their own learning. Curriculum for Excellence is helping us to deliver this.
"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.