Plymouth High School for Girls has been officially accredited as a Thinking School by the University of Exeter, recognising its commitment to developing independent, reflective, and metacognitive learners.
This national recognition is awarded to schools that demonstrate a whole-school approach to cognitive education.
The accreditation involves embedding cognitive strategies across the curriculum, using recognised ‘Thinking Tools’ such as De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats, Thinking Maps, Habits of Mind, and Thinker’s Keys.
These tools are proven to help students become more focused, productive, and critically aware - skills that go far beyond academic performance and shape well-rounded, thoughtful individuals.
The school’s long-standing motto, ‘For life, not school, we learn,’ captures its ethos of preparing students not just for exams, but for the demands and opportunities of life beyond the classroom.
Plymouth High’s thinking journey began more than two decades ago, during the national implementation of formative assessment through Assessment for Learning.
Since then, the school has continued to evolve and refine its practice, placing metacognitive development at the heart of its curriculum and culture.
The University of Exeter report highlights that:
“Thinking skills are embedded within the culture of Plymouth High School for Girls. Indeed, thinking serves as a ‘golden thread’ throughout the daily practice of the school.”
In its report, the University of Exeter highlighted the school’s ethos, noting:
“Plymouth High School for Girls has a clear ethos of lifelong learning and the provision of opportunity to create kind, respectful, and curious learners who feel valued such that they flourish. Plymouth High School for Girls is a place where academic success and personal development go hand in hand."
Headteacher Mr Underdown and the senior leadership team have been commended for championing this whole-school cognitive approach. The report notes:
“The school’s focus on the ‘why’ elements is exceptional in terms of the development of critical thinking, creativity, and reflection. Plymouth High School for Girls has a thinking community where people interact with kindness and respect such that great value is placed on every contribution that serves the school’s vision and values".
“The Headteacher and his senior team are fully versed in terms of Thinking School developments and champion a whole-school approach to the leadership and teaching of thinking. Plymouth High School for Girls’ curriculum is clearly mapped and underpinned by research that embraces the Science of Learning.”
Headteacher, Mr Underdown added: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive Thinking Accreditation. it is a wonderful recognition of the passion and commitment shown by our staff and students every day. We believe in an education that goes beyond the classroom, one that truly transforms life chances.
“Our goal has always been to help our students become confident, independent thinkers, ready to shape their own futures. This recognition shows that we are doing just that, and we are excited to keep building on it.”
Mr Britz-Colwill, Assistant Headteacher at Plymouth High who led on the accreditation process said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be recognised with this accreditation. It reflects the dedication and teamwork across our whole school community, where thinking is not just taught; it is part of who we are. From lesson planning to pastoral care, a shared language of thinking runs through everything we do.”