In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, teaching young people the values of collaboration, shared responsibility, and mutual support has never been more critical. One of the most effective ways to instil these values is by incorporating cooperatives into a range of national curriculum subjects.

Cooperatives—businesses or organisations owned and run by their members—offer a unique model for teaching students about democratic decision-making, social responsibility, and collective problem-solving. These are qualities that align closely with broader educational goals, including fostering citizenship, teamwork, and ethical leadership.

When integrated into subjects like economics, business studies, social sciences, and humanities, cooperatives provide a real-world example of how businesses can function differently from traditional profit-driven models. By learning about cooperative structures, students gain insight into how economic systems can prioritize the well-being of people over profits. This aligns with growing calls for more sustainable, ethical, and socially responsible practices in today’s business environment.

In subjects like global politics, history, and geography, cooperatives can serve as case studies for understanding social movements, community resilience, and collective action. As a member of the COOP Group’s National Member Council, I have been able to harness some wonderful insight and bring it into the classroom. I recently included the Cooperative Group PLC and its groundbreaking Fairtrade work into a KS5 IB Geography unit which stimulated much discussion amongst students who were unaware that their local Coop was part of the international cooperative movement. I have started discussions with other subject coordinators about my own role and how we may use this unique perspective to bring cooperatives into business studies, global politics and history moving forward.

Incorporating cooperatives into the curriculum encourages students to think critically about alternative ways of organising society and economy, and to develop the soft skills needed for successful collaboration—skills that will serve them well in their personal and professional lives.

As our global challenges grow more complex, we need future leaders who understand the importance of cooperation and collective action. By including cooperatives in the national curriculum, we are not just teaching students about a business model; we are equipping them to become engaged, socially conscious citizens in an ever-evolving world.