Cooperative learning is beneficial for learners in many ways. It's much more than simple group work and gives learners the opportunity to take responsibility but also learn from others. As a school we have a focus on Cooperative Learning at all ages and stages and find many benefits, such as;

• Positive interdependence: The group shares a common goal that all the students are working to meet. Whether or not they meet this goal also relies on all the students coming together in the end — they have to trust each other to do their own work to succeed.

• Individual and group accountability: The students are responsible for their own work and meeting the group’s goal in the project. Others in the group will rely on them to complete their work, just as that student is relying on the rest of the group.

• Promotes positive interactions among peers: Students will work in an environment where they will be encouraged and support each other and have discussions. Everyone has a different skill set, so they'll be able to learn new things from each other that they might not have been able to had they been working alone.

Making Thinking Visible is a pedagogical approach that promotes the use of 21 Thinking Routines which places value on the time to think/ process rather than only celebrating the correct answer​/end product. In our school we regularly focus on these Thinking Routines to guide our learners thought processes and encourage active learning across the curriculum.

School education is fundamental to ensuring positive long-term outcomes for young people and it impacts on Scotland’s economy and society.

The Scottish Government National Improvement Framework (NIF) clarifies the vision for education in Scotland as: 

• Excellence through raising attainment: ensuring that every child achieves the highest standards in literacy and numeracy, as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to shape their future as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens, and effective contributors. 

• Achieving equity: ensuring every child has the same opportunity to succeed, with a particular focus on closing the poverty-related attainment gap.

(National Improvement Framework)