Thinking School

Bickley is working to become a ‘Thinking School.’ This is to enable children to become more active participants in their learning with the ultimate goal of becoming more independent and resilient.

We believe that the best way to transform life chances is to actively shape the minds, attitudes and habits of young people through a framework of cognitive education that enables them to become the master of their own destinies.

“We are what we habitually do” - Aristotle; to transform life chances we have to transform habits.

The ultimate goal is that every individual, child or adult, in the organisation consciously recognises their own habits, strengths and areas for development and actively seeks to improve themselves, thereby creating transformational change in each individual. (The Thinking Schools Trust)

To thrive in the 21st century and beyond will require us all to be able to adapt and to do so quickly. We will all need a ‘tool kit’ of learning strategies to make fast improvements. To choose the right tool we will need to be able to reflect on what’s working for us and what isn’t. This metacognitive skill is crucial for future-proofing students beyond the school gates. It also has significant benefits for attainment, behaviour and well-being in the classroom.

Please have a look at this video about some of the different Thinking Matters approaches being used in our school.

Thinking Schools Newsletter December 2023

Tinking Frames: A parent and carers guide