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S2 Expressive arts (Third level / Fourth level): What to Teach (Scotland)

Your Teacher Information Pack for S2 Expressive arts (Third level / Fourth level) in Scotland: the curriculum structure, our short summaries with links to the official wording, and key dates.

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Country
Scotland
Stage
S2
Level
Third level
Ages
12–13
Source
Curriculum for Excellence – experiences and outcomes (broad general education)
Last checked
2026-10-20

Usually S1–S3 (third and fourth levels are both covered in S1–S3) (a guide, not a fixed year group). Roughly US Grades 7–9 (approximate).

Curriculum for Excellence levels are a guide, not year groups: learners move through levels at their own pace.

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.

Third level

Participation in performances and presentations

  • EXA 3-01a Using expressive arts skills in a public performance or presentation.
  • EXA 3-01b Enjoying being an audience member for others' work.

Official wording

Art and design

  • EXA 3-02a Experimenting with media, applying understanding of their properties.
  • EXA 3-03a Combining visual elements to convey ideas and feelings.
  • EXA 3-04a Producing accurate representations through observing and recording.
  • EXA 3-06a Developing imaginative design solutions through a design brief process.
  • EXA 3-07a Discussing art responses and giving and accepting constructive feedback.

Official wording

Dance

  • EXA 3-08a Creating and taking part in dance from varied styles and cultures.
  • EXA 3-11a Discussing dance experiences and giving and accepting constructive comment.

Official wording

Drama

  • EXA 3-12a Creating and sustaining realistic or stylised characters.
  • EXA 3-14a Contributing to devising, rehearsing, and presenting drama from ideas.
  • EXA 3-15a Discussing drama experiences and giving and accepting constructive comment.

Official wording

Music

  • EXA 3-16a Performing chosen music confidently using notation or playing by ear.
  • EXA 3-17a Improvising or composing using melody, harmony, and structure.
  • EXA 3-19a Identifying music features and commenting on own and professionals' work.

Official wording

Fourth level

Participation in performances and presentations

  • EXA 4-01a Performing for varied audiences with energy and excitement.

Official wording

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.

Official wording

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.

Official wording

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.

Official wording

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.

Official wording

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.

Trusted free resources

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 · Expressive arts – Fourth level · P1 Expressive arts · P2 Expressive arts · P3 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.