9:00am Thursday 14th January 2010
By Jane Reader
STUDENTS at a Bournemouth secondary school are deep in thought after achieving a coveted benchmark.
Avonbourne has become the first school in Dorset to achieve Thinking School status, so far only achieved by 25 grammar schools in other parts of the country.
The benchmark is accredited by education experts at Exeter University and recognises the way new thinking skills enrich learning in the curriculum and other activities in school.
The Harewood Avenue secondary school is sharing its new skills with 10 primary and secondary schools across Bournemouth and Poole and plans to extend the skills still further to its feeder schools.
It is the first non-selective school to have been recognised as a Thinking School.
Parents have also been involved and have attended workshops so they can find out the best ways to help with homework.
“It’s a move away from just learning what’s needed to pass exams,” said Paul Nelson, innovation and development manager at Avonbourne.
“A Thinking School also focuses on individual thinking showing staff and pupils how to think reflectively, critically and creatively in everything they do.”
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