Is there any such thing as a Thinking School? by Professor Bob Burden
It is with great pride that we presented our portfolio of evidence to the Cognitive Education Centre at Exeter University in December 2009. The Rochester Grammar School is a selective girls’ grammar school in Medway – an area with its fair share of socio-economic issues. We have a mixed 6th Form. In 2008 the school was judged to be outstanding in all areas by OFSTED.
St Robert of Newminster: How we became a Thinking School
Video showing Burraton thinking school in action.
Christ the King Catholic Primary School: Our Thinking Journey
How Stanley Park Infants School (London Borough of Sutton) became a Thinking School
How Oakwood Park Grammar School became a Thinking School
Videos showing Thinking Maps in action.
Richard Coe explores how to employ thinking skills in your school and work
towards achieving Thinking Schools accreditation from the University of
Exeter.
An article in Teaching Drama - 2009, published by Rhinegold.
The Thinking Schools approach is now core to the school as is made clear in our recent Ofsted report. As the first school in the country to gain the Thinking Schools Award from Exeter, Spinney Avenue has had an enormous boost.
A small, single form entry, mixed primary school with pupils aged from 4 to 11. This case study looks at their experience with thinking maps.
'The excellent progress made by pupils in developing their thinking skills has a marked effect on their personal development and the standards they attain', Spinney Avenue CE School - extract from Ofsted report.
The University of Exeter/Kestrel Education approach is unique with an individual plan to meet specific situations.
All teachers and support staff are trained in specific thinking tools and strategies.
The only national Thinking Schools network in the UK.
All headteachers of schools which have gained recognition report raised attainment, improved motivation, behaviour, attendance and independent learning.
Unique Approach
Kestrel Education offer a unique approach to teaching thinking tools and strategies to young people.
We will train you and your colleagues to use thinking tools and strategies effectively.
We will introduce you to a national network of schools all of which are taking a whole-school approach.
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A Programme of School Development including the Award of 'Thinking School' status by The Centre for Cognitive Education at Exeter University.
Many schools teach thinking skills in some form or another. However, an increasing number are taking a more coherent whole-school approach and recognising that a change in culture will bring far greater rewards. The Centre for Cognitive Education at Exeter University, publishers of Teaching Thinking and Creativity, and Kestrel Education, leading thinking skills trainers, have collaborated to develop a coherent programme of training and evaluation, which brings together years of experience in research, evaluation, curriculum development consultancy and training.
The unique Thinking School Programme is outlined below. We will work with schools, in a long-term relationship, to create an enhanced learning culture of intellectual encouragement leading to effective thinking and deep learning. Our international links enable us to draw on the experience of leading experts such as Gill Hubble from New Zealand and Dr David Hyerle from the United States. We also have links with schools and organisations in Britain who have made significant contributions to the field of critical and creative thinking.
Planning
The first and most important step is to help you assess what you already do and work with you to develop a strategic plan. This will be done in partnership with your own development team. The aim is to help you create an action plan where the focus will be the development of a common thinking language and provide your pupils and students with their own thinkers toolbox and build a culture that supports quality thinking and independent learning.
Implementation
After discussion with you about your needs, an experienced consultant will be assigned to your school to provide support and guidance throughout the whole process of implementing the strategic plan and arranging appropriate training for staff. The menu of training opportunities we can offer includes modules on:
- Teaching learners to use effective tools and strategies to develop quality thinking.
- Making learning more reflective through philosophy and metacognition.
- Developing a school culture where Habits of Mind such as curiosity and persistence flourish.
- Helping learners to understand rich concepts and essential questions in all subjects.
- Evaluating and assessing teaching and learning for better thinking.
Formal Recognition as a Thinking School
The Centre for Cognitive Education at Exeter University will provide you with a means by which you can assess your school's progress towards becoming a Thinking School following this process of planning, implementation and review. If you can meet the criteria developed by Exeter University you can apply for a certificate of recognition from the university as a Thinking School and will receive a mark to add to school literature. This mark will include the university logo.
Partnership
We will work with you throughout the process of you acquiring 'Thinking School' status and creating a culture where thinking and learning can flourish. We will also link you with other schools that have made similar commitments. We consider that two years is a likely timescale to work together.