Teaching that prioritises play and other open-ended approaches can result in pupils struggling with more traditional methods when they are older, a new report suggests. However, active learning, which aims to involve students more in the learning process, has been “particularly effective in engaging pupils”, according to the Ipsos MORI Scotland report for the government, Behaviour in Scottish Schools Research 2016.

A Highland primary school has won praise from Hollywood star Hugh Jackman after using a song from his new film to celebrate diversity. Drakies Primary in Inverness tweeted a video of pupils singing along to This is Me, a song from The Greatest Showman. In response, Jackman retweeted the video and wrote: “Hey @DrakiesPS...you are ALL awesome and unique...and your teachers are too!”

The best-loved picture book of the year is a tale of a primate with a penchant for ice cream. The 2018 Bookbug Picture Book Prize, which celebrates the most popular new picture books by Scottish authors or illustrators, has been awarded to Gorilla Loves Vanilla by Chae Strathie and Nicola O’Byrne. A record 22,857 votes were cast in the Scottish Book Trust contest by children aged 3-7, either at school or with help from parents.

Thousands of primary school pupils in Scotland will perform an opera about the voyages of a 14th-century Chinese naval commander. P5-7s will take part in an “interactive musical experience” as part of a Scottish Opera educational tour. The pupils will learn songs from The Dragon of the Western Sea, an opera about the adventures of pioneering explorer Admiral Zheng He.