Controversial curriculum set for review

The Scottish Government has been forced to agree to carry out a review of Curriculum for Excellence after opposition parties forced a vote over high school subject choice.

Education secretary John Swinney abstained in the vote last night, brought by the Scottish Conservatives, which condemned the delivery of the curriculum for “fundamental failings”.

The debate followed concerns raised during Holyrood’s education and skills committee inquiry into subject choices, that schools in more deprived areas are placing greater restrictions on pupils.

Mr Swinney said much of the evidence given to the committee was “highly disputed” by some academics.

But he agreed with proposal from Scottish Labour’s Iain Gray that an evaluation should be carried out, though only after the education committee has completed its inquiry.