Success Book

A success book is a growing collection of exemplary work. When a learner produces something that particularly well demonstrates a success criterion, it is added to the book. The work is annotated to explain what makes it successful, so the book becomes a reference resource, not just a showcase.

The annotation is critical. Without it, the success book is a collection of "best work" with no learning value. With it, the book teaches future learners what quality looks like and why. An annotation might read: "This paragraph demonstrates the success criterion 'use evidence to support your argument' because the learner includes a direct quote and explains how it supports their point."

The success book should include work from a range of learners, not just the highest attainers. A piece of work from a learner who has made significant progress, even if it is not the "best" in the class, can be the most powerful example. This communicates that success is about meeting criteria and making progress, not about being the most able.

Use the success book actively. Before starting a task, open the book and show examples from previous classes or earlier in the term. Ask: "What made this successful? How could you achieve something similar in your work today?" This makes the criteria concrete and achievable.

Success books develop the "Reflect" strand of thinking skills by making success criteria visible and concrete. They support the Four Purposes by developing "ambitious, capable learners" who understand what quality looks like and can aspire to it, and build cross-curricular literacy through annotated examples across all AoLEs.

Rainbow Curriculum's Thinking Tools lens helps you plan where exemplification is embedded across your curriculum, ensuring that models of quality are available in every subject.