A search for a Thinking School
Peter Short, a senior teacher from
As you are preparing for the return to school - phased at first, then eventually all pupils, it is unlikely that things will just go back to normal as though nothing has happened - you are likely to have:
- progress data gaps
- children who have suffered bereavement
- a widening of disadvantage
- a fear of contact
- an uncertainty about what school may look like
- anxious staff and parents
- delayed Ofsted inspections
... and the list goes on. When the children return to school it might help to have a Recovery Curriculum in place - click on the titles below for the information.
- A Recovery Curriculum: Loss and life for our children and schools post pandemic - This brief article on "The Recovery Curriculum" is written by Professor Barry Carpenter. He succinctly argues for a holistic approach built around routines and a raised awareness of mental health needs. He identifies 5 Levers of Recovery to consider, which may help a school firm up plans that are already in place and give structure to staff.
- Lever 1 - Relationships
- Lever 2 - Community
- Lever 3 - Transparent Curriculum
- Lever 4 - Metacognition
- Lever 5 - Space
- Learning Shared Podcast - This podcast is hosted by Alan Wood and guests Professor Barry Carpenter and Matthew Carpenter, co-authors of the Recovery Curriculum. They reflect on the origins of their work and Matthew, Principal at Baxter College, also shares the initial ideas that he and his team formed when looking at how to implement the 5 Levers at their College.
- 7 Creative Ways to teach a Recovery Curriculum - This link offers a selection of resources and activities that focus on PSHE and wellbeing. It
outlines ways in which they can help with the challenges schools currently face and also indicate how the activities can fit into the Five Levers of a recovery
curriculum, outlined by Professor Barry Carpenter.
- 5 steps to Mental Wellbeing - Advice from the NHS. Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your
mental health and wellbeing. These steps are useful stimulants to create activities for pupils to help them feel
more positive and able to get the most out of life.
- Barry Carpenter Education - Link to Barry Carpenter's website, full of interesting blogs and useful resources.
- After lockdown, an opportunity for something even better than before - Peps McCrea suggests a subtly different take that offers four considerations for getting it right.
Thinking Matters will be providing 'Back to School' online training for school staff - using a range of metacognitive tools to develop pupils' independent learning and self-confidence.
