A search for a Thinking School
13 January 2023
Peter Short, a senior teacher from Wellington Primary School in Hounslow, writes about his personal journey to find a Thinking School.
News
Take a look at what we’ve been up to and what’s been happening across the globe within the thinking community… and if you have any news you’d like to share – please don’t hesitate to contact us!
What are Habits of Mind? Are they a ‘metacognitive must’ for pupils?
1 January 2023
Recently we were discussing the EEF guidance report about Metacognition and Self-regulation as a team; it’s always good to go back and read the key document! It was great to have a conversation about all the different elements and tools we can give to develop a self-regulating learner. At Thinking Matters, the student is at the heart of our ‘Big Picture’, surrounded by the knowledge, tools and strategies to help them develop as independent, self-regulated learners.
What we have learned: Metacognition Meets
8 December 2022
This term has been a wonderful opportunity to hear from a range of different schools talking very honestly and openly about what it means to them ‘to become a Thinking School’ and what it involves to get started and how to keep the momentum. I am very grateful to the schools that have willingly opened their doors, invited us in and talked in detail about what metacognition means to them.
What is the purpose of CPD?
29 November 2022
I remember having an excellent discussion during my NPQH around an activity to design the worst CPD ever. The opportunity to share ideas about different professional development we had all experienced over the course of our teaching careers brought out the full gamut of emotions. It also made me step back and be thankful that this career does put education and development at the centre of our profession. As we flipped the question later, we then had to ask: how do we make it effective, engaging and practical? That’s tricky to answer!
Thinking Frames in the EYFS
31 October 2022
How we can successfully implement these tools into EYFS was the focus of our last Drive Team meeting. Thinking Frames can be used with objects and images as well
Embedding the Science of Learning in the Curriculum
30 September 2022
Let’s step back for a minute, the brain’s intricate workings allow us to create huge works of art that wrap the coast of Sydney; to move our bodies to be able to flip backwards over a pole and see how high we can go; or to learn a new language. Teaching all students, in an age-appropriate way, the wonders of the brain sets them on a journey: to see themselves as life-long learners; to undertake a job that stretches their skills; to create new ideas; or use resilience when life takes an unexpected turn.
East Belfast Thinking Schools Collaboration Project
7 July 2022
Over the last 12 months, Thinking Matters designed and facilitated a bespoke online programme to meet the needs of a group of primary schools in East Belfast. Utilising funding provided by the Education Authority for collaborative professional learning, seven schools participated in this year-long Collaboration Project which provided An Introduction to Whole School Metacognition and Visual Tools.
What a Difference a Year Makes!
4 July 2022
Thinking Matters Consultant, Lorna Gardiner, recently met with Angela Sandow, Headteacher and Bex White, Assistant Headteacher and Drive Team Leader at Saxon Way Primary School to find out how they have taken forward the Thinking School approach during their first year and what impact they are seeing to date.
Is Character Education Important?
30 April 2022
A blog by Arabella Northey, Director, Thinking Schools Network
A personal ‘Thinking’ journey
24 March 2022
Written by Duncan Holland, Deputy Headteacher, Oaklands Junior School
“If we all think alike, no one is thinking.” ― Benjamin Franklin
Young Plato
24 March 2022
A film documentary by Neasa Ní Chainaín and Declan McGrath
A review by Lorna Gardiner, Consultant, Thinking Matters
Kenneth Branagh’s film ‘Belfast’ has received much critical acclaim and box office success, but another recently released film based in the city of Belfast is also worth a watch – especially for anyone interested in education.
Young Plato is an observational documentary which tells the story of a dedicated and charismatic school principal, Kevin McArevey, who introduced the teaching of Philosophy as a way of encouraging students to think critically and creatively, outside their existing community mindsets.
Cadle Primary School – Our journey so far…
23 March 2022
In October 2019, one of our senior teachers attended a workshop that introduced Thinking Matters and a whole school approach to metacognition at the National Education show in Cardiff. The clear links between the Thinking School approach and the new Curriculum for Wales excited us so, as a leadership team, we decided to do some further research.