The scheme run by the University of Exeter's Cognitive Education Centre (CEC) encourages schools to incorporate the use of thinking tools from mind maps to thinking hats into all aspects of the curriculum to help pupils become independent learners, promote a love of learning and help lay the foundations for every pupil to become lifelong learners.
The tools have until recently been more commonly used by businesses but headteachers say they are having a positive impact on the way children learn and interact with each other. Being a Thinking School is defined by CEC as "an educational community in which all members share a common commitment to giving regular careful thought to everything that takes place." On a practical level for schools it means that pupils continually develop and demonstrate independent and co-operative learning skills using the skills and strategies they have been taught.
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