At the heart of the Trust is the belief that the work that we do must transform the life chances of pupils.
We believe that the best way to transform life chances is to actively shape the minds, attitudes and habits of young people through a framework of cognitive education that enables them to become the master of their own destiny.
This framework of cognitive education is constructed through the use of the ‘Thinking School’ approach. Research from organisations such as the Sutton Trust has repeatedly demonstrated that when children understand how their brains work they achieve better academic and personal outcomes than those who do not. This is known as meta-cognition.
“We are what we habitually do” (Aristotle), to transform life chances we have to transform habits.
The ultimate goal is that every individual, child or adult, in the organisation consciously recognises their own habits, strengths and areas for development and actively seeks to improve themselves thereby creating transformational change.
Transforming life chances by …
When The Rochester Grammar School (RGS) became an Academy in 2010 a decision was made that it wanted to work with another successful school and become a cross phase multi-academy Trust. All Faiths School (AFS) decided that linking with RGS would be positive for its pupils and in 2012 The RGS/AFS Thinking Schools Academy Trust was born.
The first sponsorship came in Portsmouth when the Trust was asked to support a school that had gone into special measures and this was later known as The Portsmouth Academy. During 2014 a further two other schools were sponsored in Medway, Holcombe Grammar School and The Gordon Children’s Academy, and the Trust opened its first free school, New Horizons Children’s Academy. At this point the board agreed to rename the Trust to The Thinking Schools Academy Trust. Since then the Trust has grown to establish three hubs, Kent, Portsmouth and South West, supporting pupils from early years to sixth form and has acquired the nursery company, Little Thinkers, to provide childcare and pre-school provision.
The trading subsidiary company, Thinking Solutions for Education Ltd, has been set-up to provide services to other schools and academies so they can reap the benefits of being part of a bigger network of support.
To provide a stimulating learning environment for all where learners feel safe to explore knowledge and understanding. We believe that children learn best when they are motivated, clear about expectations in their work and behaviour, feel valued, secure and confident, are challenged and receive constructive feedback about their performance.
To be the best they can be. We believe that all staff and pupils can aspire for personal and professional prowess and become empowered through the ‘Thinking’ philosophy.
To actively shape the minds, attitudes and habits of young people through a framework of cognitive education that enables them to become the master of their own destiny. We believe that pupils require an accurate reflection of what they are good at and need to develop personal insight and manage uncertainty confidently. Developing skilled, independent and reflective learners is part of our vision.
For all stakeholders to demonstrate the highest levels of thinking and habits. We want our pupils to be questioning in nature, achieving the highest levels of independent and interdependent prowess.