In considering the importance of Thinking Skills in the Revised NI curriculum we have embarked on an ambitious programme of staff and curriculum development with the ultimate aim of becoming officially recognised by the University of Exeter’s Centre for Cognitive Education as a “Thinking School”. In this journey we are working closely in partnership with Kestrel Consulting.

A Thinking School can be defined simply as an educational community in which all members share a common commitment to giving regular, careful thought to everything that takes place. "This will involve learning how to think, reflectively, critically and creatively, and to employing these skills and techniques in the co-construction of a meaningful curriculum and associated activities.  Successful outcomes will be reflected in students across a wide range of abilities demonstrating independent and co-operative learning skills, high levels of achievement, and both enjoyment and satisfaction in learning." (Burden 2006)

Currently all staff in Ballymena Primary have been trained in the use of Thinking Maps. These are visual teaching tools which have been developed by David Hyerle of the Innovative Learning Group and which foster and encourage lifelong learning. All teachers have also received Level 1 training in Philospphy for Children (P4C) and have been accredited by SAPERE, the Society for the Advancement of Philosophical Enquiry and Reflection in Education. Three teachers in our Thinking Skills team are working towards Level 2 recognition in P4C, while Mrs Henry and Mr McCullough have also been trained in the Edward de Bono Thinking Hats and Cort1 tools. We are looking forward to soon becoming recognised as a De Bono Thinking School.

For information on any of these programmes and our partner organistaions please click on the links below:-