Interdisciplinary Learning
Interdisciplinary learning (IDL) enables teachers and learners to make connections across learning through exploring clear and relevant links across the curriculum. It supports the use and application of what has been taught and learned in new and different ways. It provides opportunities for deepening learning, for example through answering big questions, exploring an issue, solving problems or completing a final project.
At Comely Park Primary School and ELC, IDL enables our children and young people to
- learn new knowledge or skills, and develop new understanding of concepts;
- draw on prior knowledge, understanding and skills;
- transfer and apply that collective knowledge to new problems or other areas of learning
This is different from learning, for example, which takes place when several curricular areas are linked up through a common theme or topic, but the student’s experience and educator planning is discreet, or separate in each subject area. This can be referred to as multi-disciplinary learning.
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Learning for Sustainability
Learning for Equity and Sustainability "empowers learners to take informed decisions and responsible actions for environmental integrity, economic viability and a just society, for present and future generations, while respecting cultural diversity. It is about lifelong learning and is an integral part of quality education.” (UNESCO 2018)
At Comely Park our whole school approach enables our school and wider community to "build the values, attitudes, knowledge, skills and confidence needed to develop practices and take decisions which are compatible with a sustainable and equitable society." (One Planet Schools Working Group 2014).
Our Sustainable Heroes groups take place throughout the year. All pupils participate in an area of interest to help develop our community through working together. Our groups include the Charity Champions, Diversity Daredevils and the Rights Knights, who collaborate to raise awareness, organise events and lead change in our school community.
Our Neurodiversity Ninjas created and shared this presentation, to help others learn about and understand neurodiversity.
‘We the People for the Global Goals’
Watch the video ‘We the People for the Global Goals’ which reviews the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals that all UN member states have signed up to work towards by 2030.
It is easy to see the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as being on such a large scale that they are not relevant to the individual on a local level. However, the ambitious targets set out in the goals will only be achieved through the actions of all of us. We are all part of a global community, and our actions can have impacts on others across the world - both positive or negative.
Eco School & Green Flag Award
The Green Flag Award is a visible indication of our school's pupil led approach and commitment to Learning for Sustainability and an internationally recognised accreditation for excellence in sustainable education.
The Green Flag Award is based on the Seven Elements, the core of the Eco-Schools programme in every participating country.
- Eco-Committee
- Environmental Review
- Action Plan
- Measuring
- Curriculum
- Community
- Eco Code
As a Green Flag Award recipient, each year our Eco Committee choose to work on and maintain three Eco Schools themes.
Litter and Waste is always a core theme. The other themes that we work on as part of the programme include:
- Biodiversity;
- Climate Action
- Energy
- Food and the Environment
- Global Citizenship
- Health and Wellbeing
- School Grounds
- Transport
- Water
Outdoor Learning
We are taking an increasing number of opportunities to take our pupils to Callendar Park for outdoor learning experiences.
On the dates your child will experience outdoor learning sessions, please ensure they are appropriately dressed, as these sessions will take place in all weathers.
Unicef UK Rights Respecting School Award
Comely Park Primary School and ELC aims to be a school where children’s rights are at the heart of our ethos and culture, to improve well-being and to develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full potential. In September 2025, we achieved a Gold Rights Respecting School Award, reflecting the extent to which children's rights are upheld at Comely Park. Here are some of the things the report highlighted about Comely Park:
- Pupil participation that is valued highly with a range of pupil voice groups giving opportunities for all children to put their suggestions forward and for these to be acted upon.
- Very confident pupils who feel listened to, know that their views are taken seriously and that they are making a positive difference in school and in the wider world.
- Duty bearers who are passionate about the Rights Respecting work of the school and the impact this is having on outcomes for children.
- Very articulate and passionate pupils who demonstrate good knowledge and understanding of rights and are confident in the concept of rights.
We continue to work on recommendations, including developing campaigning and fundraising activities, and continuing to decolonise the curriculum.
Unicef is the world’s leading organisation working for children and young people and their rights. In 1989, governments across the world agreed that all children have the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). These rights are based on what a child needs to survive, grow, participate and fulfil their potential.
Comely Park Primary School and ELC pupils will learn about their rights by putting them into practice every day. A Rights Respecting School models rights and respect in all its relationships.
We really hope that you will be able to support our school as we gain recognition and accreditation as a Unicef UK Rights Respecting School. It would be great if you could spend a few minutes reading through our questions & answers on the back of this letter, and also find a bit more about the Convention on the Rights of the Child by visiting unicef.org.uk/crc.
For further information about Rights Respecting Schools please visit: www.unicef.org.uk/rrsa
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Enterprise in Education
Enterprising Learning and Teaching is part of our culture at Comely Park Primary School. Very strong links have been developed throughout our community and also within the Falkirk High School cluster primaries network.
We endeavour to ensure that our Platinum awarded Enterprise in Education programme gives our pupils a wide range of experiences that provides them with an understanding of the world of work and the opportunities that are open to them.
Our approach is based on the five basic principles:-
- Giving pupils responsibility
- Making learning real
- Taking roles
- Providing relevance
- Encouraging reflection
Our aim is to encourage our children to have the confidence and belief in their ability to succeed in whatever they choose to do in the future, whether they go on to be successful employees, employers or entrepreneurs.
We ultimately aim to help our pupils acquire knowledge, skills, dispositions and capabilities not only in order to work and earn a living but also to live satisfying lives and play a full part in the complex and ever-changing society of the future through life-long learning.
STEAM
STEAM stands for sciences, technologies, engineering, art and design and mathematics.
As well as developing skills and knowledge in each individual subject, STEAM related education and training aims to develop young people’s ability to work across disciplines through project-based learning.
These approaches enable young people to become familiar with the way STEAM skills and knowledge are used in the world of work. In industry and workplace environments, individuals and teams with various expertise and skills would work together to generate new knowledge, ideas and products.?
How can I support my child's learning??
Parentzone Scotland’s Supporting Science and Technologies at home section has simple ideas to support your child in learning about the sciences through everyday activities.
STEM in Curriculum for Excellence (Parentzone Scotland)
Connected Falkirk
Connected Falkirk is a project that will transform learning and teaching using digital technology as a tool - it’s not just about giving devices to children! Our educators will be empowered to redesign learning experiences using digital technology in order to improve educational outcomes and provide our children and young people with vital skills for the digital world.
Click to visit Connected Falkirk to find out more about this project and what this means for our families!
