The Scottish Government’s Curriculum for Excellence aims to provide a coherent, flexible and enriched curriculum from years 3 to 18.  The ‘curriculum’ is understood to include the totality of experiences which are planned for children and young people through their education, wherever they are being educated.  It is underpinned by the values inscribed on the mace of the Scottish Parliament – Wisdom, Justice, Compassion and Integrity.  The purpose of Curriculum for Excellence is encapsulated in the four capacities –  enabling each child or young person to be a “successful learner”, a “confident individual”, a “responsible citizen” and an “effective contributor”.   Responsibility for defining the specific content of Religious Education in Catholic schools rests with the Hierarchy of the Catholic Church and is defined through advice provided by the Scottish Catholic Education Service.