We believe that engaging our children in ‘learning about learning’ (meta-cognition) enables them to develop a deeper understanding of themselves as learners and therefore equips them with a greater capacity to learn.

To support the curriculum, pedagogy should help learners to develop:

• a strong disposition to learning
• strong metacognitive skills
• critical, creative, problem-solving skills
• highly effective communication skills

Glasllwch Primary School is a learning community where developing creative and critical thinking lies at the heart of effective teaching and learning. We are committed to providing all children with the opportunity to develop thinking strategies across the curriculum. We encourage all children to think reflectively, critically and creatively about their learning and to demonstrate independent and collaborative learning skills. Our approach to learning generates high levels of achievement, and excitement and enthusiasm for learning.

We utilise a range of strategies to support children with learning to think and thinking to learn. These include:

·      Thinking Maps

·      Growth Mindset – Learning Pits 

·      Enquiry Questions

·      Reflection Triangles

Thinking Maps

Thinking Maps are a set of 8 visual tools used to teach universal thinking processes. They were originally devised by Dr David Hyerle. Thinking Maps are used for the explicit teaching of cognitive skills and can be transferred into all areas of the curriculum. At Glasllwch Primary School children from Nursery through to Year 6 use Thinking Maps to support their learning. Support your child’s learning by encouraging them to use Thinking Maps at home!

Growth Mindset – Learning Pits

Professor Carol Dweck, an American psychologist, found that we all have different beliefs about the underlying nature of ability. Children (and adults!) with a growth mind-set believe that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort, persistence, trying different strategies and learning from mistakes. Children encouraged to adopt a growth mind-set enjoy challenges and the sense of achievement they get when they succeed.

 “Our studies show that teaching people to have a ‘growth mind-set’, which encourages a focus on effort rather than intelligence or talent, helps make them into high achievers in school and in life.”  Carol Dweck.

At Glasllwch Primary School we believe that teaching a growth mind-set creates an ethos for learning which increases motivation, promotes perseverance, develops confidence and enhances relationships.

In school your child will be encouraged to use a Growth Mind-set to help them develop their capacity to learn across all elements of the curriculum. In each classroom we have a class Learning Pit which the children have been involved in creating. As an integral aspect of all of our teaching and learning we encourage children to enter the ‘Learning Pit’, to take on challenges, take risks and through effort and determination overcome challenges, and feel proud of their success and achievement. Your child will be encouraged to reflect on their approach to learning and strategies they have used, developing their effectiveness as a learner.

Enquiry Questions

Reflection Triangles

Learner Reviews & Individual Targets

At the beginning of each term your child will have a Learning Review with their class teacher. During this session your child will talk about their progress and next steps in learning. Your child’s next steps in learning will be recorded on their individual Target Card and shared with you, via Seesaw, so that you can support your child’s learning at home. Targets may be related to the learning they are doing or they may be social or physical targets. Please work with your child at home to help them progress towards their targets.