Expressive arts – Fourth level (Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland): What to Teach (Scotland)
Your Teacher Information Pack for Expressive arts – Fourth level (Curriculum for Excellence, Scotland) in Scotland: the curriculum structure, our short summaries with links to the official wording, and key dates.
- Country
- Scotland
- Level
- Fourth level
- Ages
- 11/12–14/15
- Source
- Curriculum for Excellence – experiences and outcomes (broad general education)
- Last checked
- 2026-10-20
Usually S1–S3; fourth level is broadly in line with SCQF level 4 (a guide, not a fixed year group). Roughly US Grades 7–9 (approximate).
Plan the whole year: open this course in the Year Planner – every lesson dated around your term dates, with a coverage check. Free.
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What to teach
Below are the experiences and outcomes with their official codes, in our own short summaries. Each code links to the official document.
Participation in performances and presentations
- EXA 4-01a Performing for varied audiences with energy and excitement.
Art and design
- EXA 4-02a Handling media with control, applying technique knowledge to specific tasks.
- EXA 4-03a Using visual elements sensitively to express ideas and generate originality.
- EXA 4-04a Building reference material and applying observation skills across subjects.
- EXA 4-05a Choosing personal themes to express ideas in 2D and 3D work.
- EXA 4-06a Producing original design solutions through a full design process.
- EXA 4-07a Analysing techniques and concepts, forming considered judgements on work.
Dance
- EXA 4-08a Performing dance with control, sensitivity, and awareness of audiences.
- EXA 4-08b Using theatre arts technology such as lighting and sound for impact.
- EXA 4-09a Choreographing movement motifs creatively from a range of stimuli.
- EXA 4-10a Tackling dance styles that extend movement range and cultural knowledge.
- EXA 4-11a Analysing technical dance aspects and forming informed opinions.
Drama
- EXA 4-12a Portraying characters with depth, conveying relationships to varied audiences.
- EXA 4-13a Creating characters through varied approaches and presenting them to audiences.
- EXA 4-14a Leading negotiation to devise, rehearse, and refine dramas and scripts.
- EXA 4-14b Using theatre arts technology to build tension, mood, and atmosphere.
- EXA 4-15a Analysing technical drama aspects and scripts, forming considered opinions.
Music
- EXA 4-16a Giving assured, expressive performances across a wide range of styles.
- EXA 4-17a Improvising and composing with developing personal style and sophistication.
- EXA 4-17b Using music technology to compose, record, produce, and enhance performance.
- EXA 4-18a Creating and presenting compositions using a broad range of concepts.
- EXA 4-19a Analysing listened music technically and forming informed personal opinions.
Assessments and key dates
Qualifications Scotland exams 2027: Mon, 26 April 2027 to Thu, 3 June 2027 (timetable). There are no national tests of curriculum levels; teachers judge progress using the Benchmarks.
Official documents
- education.gov.scot/Documents/expressive-arts-eo.pdf
- education.gov.scot/curriculum-for-excellence/curriculum-for-excellence-documents/experiences-and-outcomes
Trusted free resources
- Education Scotland – the official curriculum site.
- BBC Bitesize – videos and quizzes by nation and stage.
Links only: we don't copy their content and we aren't connected to these organisations.
More packs
Expressive arts – Early level · Expressive arts – First level · Expressive arts – Second level · Expressive arts – Third level · P1 Expressive arts · P2 Expressive arts · P3 Expressive arts · P4 Expressive arts · All Scotland packs · Find another TIP
Codes and structure from Curriculum for Excellence experiences and outcomes and Benchmarks, Education Scotland (Crown copyright). Summaries are Classfern's own words – always read the official wording via the link.
No official wording is reproduced: codes and structure are facts, and the short descriptions are our own summaries. Always read the official wording via the links. Checked on 2026-10-20.
Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by Education Scotland, Qualifications Scotland (formerly SQA) or the Scottish Government.