Interdisciplinary learning

Scotland has always had Interdisciplinary learning (IDL) as a component part of the curriculum offer – it sits as one of the four contexts.

Over session 2019/20, Education Scotland has worked with No Tosh, practitioners and partners using a design-thinking process to understand how we can realise our ambitions for IDL.

Download paper: PDF file: Interdisciplinary Learning: ambitious learning for a complex world.

Since the publication of the original thought paper, a group of educators and educator partners have contributed to this practice update.

This builds on the thinking and principles in the original paper and shares examples of how schools and partners are being ambitious through the development of bold IDL experiences.

Download paper: PDF file: Practice Update 2023: Interdisciplinary Learning: ambitious learning for an increasingly complex world.

We want to use this current period as an opportunity to begin the re-focus on IDL and what it can offer our children and young people. Now, maybe more than ever, schools need to be places where young people learn and develop rich knowledge and the skills to thrive in a future which is increasingly unpredictable.

The first case study is from Hazlehead School, Aberdeen, who share their whole school IDL approach during Term 4.

PDF file: Hazlehead School - case study (149 KB)

Wakelet with resources to support Hazlehead School's IDL

IDL at Grove Academy

We will be developing the following IDL opportunities:

• Thriving in challenging circumstances with reference to current issues of COVID-19;
• Creative Bravery with an opportunity to join the Creative Bravery Festival which will run from 21-27 September, 2020;
  • Watch the session 'Re-imaging the future - IDL as a key driver?'
• Scotland’s Culture with a focus on creativity and the arts;
• Sustainability with a focus on Learning for sustainability.