In September 2003, two Project Officers took up posts with the Ulster-Scots Curriculum Development Unit to create materials for secondary schools.

They are Mrs Carol Baraniuk from Glenlola Collegiate School , Bangor and Dr Linda Hagan, Head of English at Ashfield Girls High School , Belfast .

Since no curriculum for teaching Ulster-Scots Language, History and Culture in schools was in existence, Carol and Linda began by considering the language and literature and how the traditional literature, taught in schools, could be extended to include Ulster-Scots. Then they researched the history and culture of the Ulster-Scots community. They identified what may be considered distinctive, defining moments or key landmarks for the Ulster-Scots people and a content syllabus was drawn up.

Curriculum research was carried out to ensure that the materials produced would be at the cutting edge of curriculum design and in line with CCEA's planned changes to the Northern Ireland curriculum. In addition, to ensure that the materials would be informed by the latest educational theory, Carol and Linda followed up a range of recent educational research including the research into learning styles.

Following this background study, work began on producing materials covering topics such as the Ulster-Scots involvement in emigration to North America, the 1798 rebellion and the Scots literary tradition in the North of Ireland. Materials were also developed to provide a basic introduction to the language through poetry and short stories. Ulster-Scots cookery and music materials were then added. The design of the new Northern Ireland Key Stage 3 Curriculum, with its emphasis on skills, has allowed the Project Officers to produce a range of materials on Ulster Scots language, history and culture which enable pupils to practice these skills. Project Officers have also adapted materials to meet some of the requirements for teaching Citizenship at Key Stage 3. There has been little opportunity to get into Key Stage 4 except in research topics for pupils to follow up as part of the Communication element in a Key Skills qualification. An 'A' Level Ulster-Scots literature course has been developed in outline. This could be translated into materials for schools, if an 'A' level course is approved.

The finished Ulster-Scots curriculum materials are informed by the research on content material, educational and curriculum issues and demonstrate how learning styles can be implemented to suit diverse groups of learners within the classroom.

Carol and Linda have demonstrated their work on the implementation of learning styles theory to staff in the college through the regular college staff seminars. They have also written a number of academic papers which discuss the challenge of developing curriculum materials to address cultural and linguistic diversity and also papers which affirm the significance of Ulster-Scots as an important dimension of Irish Studies in the curriculum at Post-Primary level and at University level.

During 2005-6 materials are being trialled in a range of schools, controlled, maintained and integrated, across nine counties. In 2006-7, it is planned that materials will be modified to take account of feedback from trialling. It is also expected that publication and launch will take place.

For further information contact the Ulster-Scots Project team at Stranmillis College University, Belfast, on 0044 (0)28 9038 1271.

If calling from the Republic of Ireland dial (048) 9038 1271.