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 Perth and Kinross schools and how have they been preparing for these changes?
S2 pupils at Perth Academy have been given the spotlight to create a modern day soap opera to explore the world of employment.
'Perth Papers a Modern Day Soap Opera' has been created to help pupils understand the complexities of different roles in the workplace and to learn how a company operates through role play.
Teacher Alison Ferguson explains, "The idea behind this project is to deliver learning experiences through creating a 'soap opera' with every member of the cast assuming at least one role which they develop in response to a basic storyline. The cast stay in character for the duration of lessons and commercial breaks allow for scene changes, regrouping, reviewing and calling to order if required.
"The children are encouraged to explore contemporary social issues such as redundancy and the recession, and to consider the impact that these issues have in both a personal and commercial context. They also look at stereotyping in the workplace during the casting session while they can express themselves through reflective discussion in the board room and by keeping a personal diary."
The project is centred on a fictional company called Perth Papers, a manufacturer of paper products. A management team and a production workforce have been created and most pupils have a management role while every pupil is given a place on the production team.
Each member of the company creates a profile and applies for a post within a failing, traditional family company. The storyline evolves each week and the company's employees find themselves having to make a bid to save their jobs and minimise redundancies. Anything can happen as the plot thickens and the cast respond to the storyline.
A great deal of problem solving ensues as the pupils review the situation and work out ways to take the company forward by working together to design, produce and market a successful product. Pupils must conduct market research into successful paper products and new company branding.
The project is interdisciplinary and covers subjects such as Art and Design, Drama, Literacy, Enterprise. Artwork is integral to most of the lessons and the pupils must create props for scenes.
The class spends one period per week 'at the office' and one period on drawing and painting. This creative period is known as the Canvas Club where some pupils take part in developing the storyline for the following week while others progress traditional drawing and painting tasks.
Alison said the changes to education with Curriculum for Excellence gave her the freedom to create this project and develop a classroom environment that really inspired her pupils and got them fully engaged in their learning.
She said: "It is different in that it is much broader and more contextualised than some similar work I have previously designed. The pupils love the organic nature of the project and thoroughly enjoy combining their artwork with roll playing and exploring enterprise skills. The creative writing and literacy element is easy to incorporate as an enjoyable aspect of the lesson.
"There are many opportunities to explore the wider curriculum within this experience, and it is exciting to see different skills and talents demonstrated by the pupils."
The recording of the progress of Perth Papers takes place throughout the lessons in a mixture of annotated digital photographs, video, artwork, interactive use of a company notice board, and manual record keeping.
The project has delivered a more effective way of learning with pupils fully engaged in their own outcomes. It has removed perceived or projected difficulties and anxieties amongst pupils as the subjects are not linear and there is more scope for personal development and expression.
Said Alison: "Many of the practical skills required for the workplace and life long learning are not subject specific and this lesson really helps pupils to unlock these. Pupils are better prepared in time management, team work and in understanding the relevance of achievement in school to that of careers and employment."
"This is an ongoing lesson which has grown arms and legs! As a creative this way of working it seems very natural and I find the pace and potential exciting."
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.
Watch a film of Curriculum for Excellence in action at Perth Academy.