• S1 - S3 will experience a broad general education and will build on the work done in primary schools covering Levels 3 and 4. There will continue to be a strong focus on interactive teaching, literacy and numeracy, cross-curricular working and learning outside the classroom
• S4 – S6 : Senior phase when qualifications will be taken

The new qualifications will be offered in all subjects across the curriculum:

• National 4 will replace Standard Grade General and Intermediate 1. The National 4 course will be assessed internally and will be ungraded
• National 5 will replace Standard Grade Credit and Intermediate 2. The National 5 course will have an external assessment that will be graded
• Higher and Advanced Higher will remain.

National 4 and 5 courses will be just as rigorous as the existing qualifications and will have the same value; therefore they will be equally regarded by employers, colleges and universities.

Skills for Work courses will continue to be offered from S3 onwards as they are at present.

Young people in Stirling will be presented for these new exams in 2014.