Perhaps the greatest success, however, is that pupils thoroughly enjoy themselves and happily give up time outside of normal school hours. We target specific groups of pupils to work together for one term. Each term is structured carefully. Pupils are encouraged to communicate ideas at regular intervals but it is a compulsory requirement that they spend one hour per week after school time. Teachers are available during this time to discuss strategies and monitor progress but pupils are expected to develop their solutions and reports with minimum intervention.
Pupils work in pairs at their own schools.
This takes place at one or other of the schools and lasts for one day. Pupils meet their new team mates and are given their problem for the term. Again, a face to face meeting. Pairs combine their reports into a single, coherent document. The above timings can easily be adapted to shorter terms, provided the activities chosen are flexible enough.