Advanced Accredited Thinking School

A Cognitive Approach to Education

As part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, we take pride in the unique approach we take to education: we provide our children with the skills and tools they need to think in a variety of ways and become lifelong learners. The transferrable Thinking Tools that we teach our pupils are designed to prepare them for the range of scenarios, dilemmas and circumstances that they may face in later life as part of modern society.

The University of Exeter’s School of Education – which leads the way in research on Metacognition, Thinking Skills and Creativity – provides a framework for schools to become recognised Thinking Schools. We are proud of our accreditation by the University and this award is testament to application of both staff and students to the Thinking School philosophy.

We were delighted with University of Exeter's report, which highlighted the positive impact our thinking culture has had for our students:

  • 'Pupils at Cedar Children's Academy have a history of high achieving in holistic sense and so the school has an enviable reputation.'
  • 'Cedar Children's Academy's curriculum is internationally informed, with the aim of developing children as global citizens.'
  • 'The focus on the development of the whole child is a particularly strong aspect of school life at Cedar.'
  • 'The school and Trust have a very visible and strong ethos, in which all pupils are encouraged to develop as articulate, critical, creative and reflective thinkers.' 

Thinking Tools and Strategies

Thinking Hats

Thinking Hats provide a practical method of directed cognition. Each of six distinct types of thinking are represented by a different coloured hat. When an individual is ‘wearing’ a specific hat they focus their thinking in the associated manner. 

Thinking Hats - A Guide

Thinking Keys

Thinking Keys are a set of twenty different ways of approaching an issue or subject designed to engage and motivate learners in a range of thinking activities.

Thinking Keys– A Guide

Thinking Maps – A Guide

Thinking Maps are eight graphic organisers that foster students’ abilities to see connections across their studies and encourage lifelong learning. Taken together they form a visual language of learning that is shared by staff and students.

Thinking Maps – A Guide