BGE
Broad General Education (BGE) at West Calder High School
In Scottish education, the Broad General Education (BGE) is the first stage of secondary school, covering S1 to S3 (ages 11-14). It forms part of the Curriculum for Excellence and provides learners with a wide and balanced education before they move into the Senior Phase.
At West Calder High School, the BGE is designed to give all young people a broad range of learning experiences across different subjects, helping them to build a strong foundation for future learning. The school encourages pupils to begin thinking about their future pathways early, linking their learning in BGE to later choices in the Senior Phase.
During the BGE, learners:
- Study a wide range of curriculum areas, including languages, maths, sciences, social subjects, technologies and expressive arts
- Develop key skills such as literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing, which are a responsibility across all subjects
- Build skills for learning, life and work, preparing them for future qualifications and career pathways
- Experience different subjects before making course choices, ensuring informed decisions for S4 and beyond
The BGE also focuses on developing the four capacities of Curriculum for Excellence:
- Successful learners
- Confident individuals
- Responsible citizens
- Effective contributors
At West Calder High School, the BGE and Senior Phase are closely linked, with staff supporting pupils to plan ahead and understand how their learning connects to future opportunities. This helps ensure a smooth transition into qualifications and positive destinations after school.
Overall, the Broad General Education at West Calder High School provides breadth, challenge and progression, enabling learners to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed for success in the Senior Phase and beyond.
For more information on the courses on offer in the senior phase visit the Faculties section of our website or or Coursing information.
