Thinking Allowed Erasmus Project

Project Title

Thinking Allowed

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Pedagogy and didactics; Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills

Project Summary

Our four schools, in England, France and Finland, have all taken their first steps in their journeys as Thinking Schools and are ready to share and develop good practice in order to embed it within our schools.

Objectives of the Project
Over a thousand young people will be involved in this project which aims to develop their thinking skills to enable them to be effective Global Citizens – flexible, creative and proactive. They need to be able to solve problems, make decisions, think critically, communicate ideas effectively and work well within teams and groups. These skills and attributes are increasingly recognised as being essential to succeed in other areas of 21st century life too, including many workplaces. These skills and qualities cannot be developed without the use of active learning methods through which pupils learn by doing and by collaborating with others.

Description of activities / methodology
Year 1 – Mindfulness and its effect on the brain – preparing to think – how to learn better and live better
Year 2 – Critical Thinking and Philosophy for Children – acquiring the skills for thinking
Year 3 – Gobal Citizenship – making a better school, community, world – using thinking for good

Impact
Pupils:
– understanding of mindfulness and the role it can play in improving self-esteem, managing behaviour and building successful relationships
– an increased capacity to think critically and engage in philosophical debate so strengthening their resilience to extreme views and digital media overload
– increased sense of the global community and the significance of European collaboration
– sense of working together as global citizens towards shared values
– develop their ability to be responsible and effective global citizens who will continue to care about the community that they live in

Teachers:
– a better understanding of mindfulness techniques, not only to use with the children in school, but also to take home to improve the quality of life/work balance
– increased opportunities for professional development – continuing CPD – increasing a teachers’ toolkit of skills
– impact on teachers adopting collaborative and innovative practices
– greater confidence in the teaching of global citizenship
– increased motivation and satisfaction in daily work

Participating Organisation:
– more longer term benefits
– increased skills in collaboration and learning
– nurture attitudes of openness to Europe – policies might be more reflective of ongoing European priorities
– broader network of local institutions as resources for education and educational tools – local institutions as a resource that schools can go to
– the management of the schools are committed to evaluating pedagogy in line with the thinking toolkit, which will continue to develop sustained critical thinking practices across the school.
– thinking time embedded within the schools’ curriculum and timetable – it becomes an expectation
– move the school from a charity mindset to one of social justice – developing the school council to take on more elements of global citizenship – focus on issues outside of the school as well

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 68970,56 Eur

Project Coordinator

Mayflower Primary School & Country: UK

Project Partners

• Jules Ferry School
• Ecole Maternelle Capsus
• Eteläinen koulu