Learning should focus on what matters to each learner, now and as they grow up.

Every Area of Learning and Experience holds statements of what matters. These shape learning for learners of all ages. They help learners think about what they are learning, and how it links to other topics, to work and to life. They also support progress year on year, as learners build their understanding and skills.

Skills for life

Learners also build the skills they will carry through life. These help them to:

• Appreciate the world around them.
• Ask questions, look at evidence, make decisions and solve problems.
• Explore, communicate, create plans and find solutions.
• Build resilience and manage their well-being.
• Work well with others.
• Make decisions about their future career, based on real experiences in learning, work and enterprise.

An example of how this works

In the Science and Technology area, one statement of what matters is: the world around us is full of living things which depend on each other for survival.

As learners progress, they think about this in different ways. For example:

I know that some animals are endangered.

I understand that what I do has an impact on the environment, people and animals.

I can find ways to reduce the impact of climate change on the environment, people and animals.

This shows how one idea grows with a learner. The same statement stretches from a simple fact to deeper understanding and action, at a level that is right for each learner.