On Wednesday 1st December 2015, Maidstone Grammar School for Girls, being one of a small number of Advanced Thinking secondary schools in the UK, hosted 80 year 5 and year 6 students from eight primary schools taking part in a thinking skills day at MGGS. The day was run by fourteen year 13 students who planned and delivered their own lessons. The thinking skills that were covered included: thinkers keys, philosophy for children, the 6 hats and habits of mind.
The sixth form students involved were: Rachel P, Amy G, Grace G, Sophie G, Shaelei P, Abi M, Charlotte N, Rosie G, Eleanor R, Rosanna R, Bethany B, Jessica A, Joanna M and Rebecca B.
A letter from one of the visiting primary schools reads,
“Dear Mrs Harris and all the wonderful Sixth Form students, I so want to say ‘thank you’ for the super experiences you provided for our pupils. It really did give them the opportunity to develop their thinking skills in very different workshops.
I appreciated all the preparation and work you had done to ensure our pupils were engaged and learnt new skills. I know how long it can take to research, and then produce presentations and you did this on top of your important studies. Our pupils particularly thought the Double Bubble map would help them back at school.
For me, it gave me a rare opportunity to sit back and listen and watch the learning taking place. I loved seeing the engagement and the way the children thought and articulated back their ideas.”
Mrs Harris, Assistant Headteacher said,
“The workshop was a huge success for both our visiting primary school students and our own Sixth Form students in delivering the sessions. Further workshops are planned for 2016.”