You Are Here:
home / Our Creative Curriculum
Monnow Primary School – A Thinking School
To become a thinking school requires shared vision, skillful in-service training and a great deal of hard work. In one sense, the process is never-ending, but we do believe that schools demonstrating that they can match a certain number of basic criteria can rightfully claim to be a thinking school (Burden 2006).
Through a rigorous assessment by Exeter University, we have shown our commitment to thinking skills and achieved a level of excellence in the implementation of cognitive education throughout our school culture and ethos. Monnow primary School received formal recognition in October 2008
As a successful thinking community we strive to ensure that all pupils are developing and demonstrating independent and co-operative learning skills, using a range of thinking tools and strategies. We generate high levels of achievement, excitement and enthusiasm for lifelong learning. All members of the community interact with and show consideration for each other, in such a way as to enable the positive psychological wellbeing of both pupils and staff to flourish.
At Monnnow Primary School, we
- Teach learners to use effective tools and strategies to develop quality thinking.
- Make learning more reflective through philosophy and metacognition.
- Continue to develop a school culture where Habits of Mind and attitudes to learning, such as curiosity and persistence flourish.
- Help learners to understand rich concepts and essential questions in all subjects.
- Constantly reflect on and assess teaching and learning for better thinking.
Some of the most successful learning tools we currently employ include deBono’s 6 Hat Thinking, Hyerle’s Thinking Maps and Bloom’s Taxonomy Questioning Strategies. We believe there are Strategic Stepping Stones to Independent Thinking and learning, and continue to provide opportunities for children to develop in these key areas.
For more information, contact Exteter University – Cognitive Education Centre.
Through a rigorous assessment by Exeter University, we have shown our commitment to thinking skills and achieved a level of excellence in the implementation of cognitive education throughout our school culture and ethos.