Involving learners

Involving learners in reviewing your curriculum


The framework for learning and teaching puts the learner firmly at the centre, actively involved in every aspect of their own learning. It is important therefore to consult and involve pupils when revising curriculum structures.

This section provides some examples of learner engagement, to generate thinking, and workshop materials to support consultation with pupils.


Screenshot from video Involving learners
Video: Involving learners - Law Primary

Law Primary School involved pupils in reviewing current practice, asking them 'What makes a good school? What makes a good teacher? What makes good learning?'

Video download

Involving learners - Law Primary School (37.6 MB)
Involving learners - Law Primary School for iPod (6.7 MB)
A photo of the Westray centre for local history
Video: Why learners want to be involved in education choices

Westray Junior High School pupils tell us how learning should be planned and organised.

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Why learners want to be involved in education choices (31.3 MB)
Why learners want to be involved in education choices for iPod (5.6 MB)
Screenshot from video of Charleston news
Video: Pupil voice at Charleston Academy

Pupils give their views on how learning should be planned and schools should be organised in the future.

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Pupil voice at Charleston Academy (128.1 MB)
Pupil voice at Charleston Academy for iPod (22.9 MB)
Screenshot from video of pupils views on the school of the future
Video: Pupil views at Charleston Academy
Video presentation of pupil views on the School of the Future by Charleston Academy

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Pupil views on the School of the Future - Charleston Academy (69.4 MB)
Pupil views on the School of the Future - Charleston Academy for iPod (12.4 MB)
A child looking through toy binoculars
Video: Pupil voice: Seen and heard - what children think

Children from a variety of schools and settings in South Lanarkshire were asked for their views on learning and teaching. This clip provides a perceptive glimpse of what an ideal school would be like through the eyes of a child.

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Pupil voice: Seen and Heard - What Children Think (151.3 MB)
Pupil voice: Seen and Heard - What Children Think for iPod (27 MB)
Kersland School pupils
Video: Pupil voice at Kersland School

The headteacher and pupils share how they work together and make decisions which influence the ethos, life and work of their school.

Video download

Pupil voice at Kersland School (86.5 MB)
Pupil voice at Kersland School for iPod (15.4 MB)

Children's curriculum plans for Cloud Nine School

Some schools have also used the concept of 'Cloud Nine School' to support consultation with pupils about what features they would wish to see in their ideal school.

These pupils of Woodhead Primary School describe what is important for them in Cloud Nine School by creating their own curriculum plans.

PDF file: Pupil curriculum plan 1 (141 KB)PDF file: Pupil curriculum plan 2 (280 KB)

More from Education Scotland

  • Pupil engagement workshop

    These workshop materials can be used when involving learners in the Building your Curriculum process.