Work relating to Smart Science and the Personal Capability Programme at a national level include:
- NEW! Smarter Schools, AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust Project 2008-9
- Northern Ireland, CCEA
- ONGOING! Manchester, The Behaviour for Learning Strategy
- Social & Emotional Literacy and Thinking Skills
- Consultative work with QCA-Futurelab
Smarter Schools
This project explores the development of Personal Capabilities with the Primary Science Specialism Pilot family of Schools.
Based in Sheffield these schools have integrated the use of Smart Science and use it as a stimulus for professional development. Using coaching as a method of reflection this project is improving teacher confidence in teaching scientific enquiry and developing necessary Skills for Learning.
Northern Ireland, The Revised Curriculum
The Council for Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA)
As a partner in this work, we have provided professional consultancy relating to the writing of new policy, curriculum and guidance relating to Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities at KS1-KS3. This work has been in relation to the revision of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
The work has entailed working across the curriculum and assessment division of CCEA - establishing and giving advice, direction and support to the implementation of the new curriculum plans. This is an extensive piece of work and one that CSE has valued contributing to.
It is intended that the skills and capabilities highlighted in the new curriculum are developed and assessed in and through the learning areas of the curriculum at all Key Stages.
Five strands are identified in Northern Ireland's Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities Framework
- Managing Information
- Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making
- Being Creative
- Working with Others
- Self Management
Further information can be found at: http://www.nicurriculum.org.uk/skills_and_capabilities/thinking_skills_and_personal_capabilities/index.asp
or can be sought from Dr Lynne Bianchi at l.m.bianchi@shu.ac.uk
NEW 'Wise Up & Think' Stories! KS1
Northern Ireland's, Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), with the help of Lynne Bianchi (Smart Science), have developed a set of 5 stories called 'Wise Up and Think'. The 5 stimulating stories introduce and support Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities Framework at Key Stage 1.
View them online here: Wise Up and Think
Manchester's Behaviour for Learning Strategy
Manchester Education Partnership
As a partner in this work we have worked with advisors, teachers and children to design and embed a Behaviour for Learning Framework and Strategy, for use in primary and secondary schools. This has looked at pinpointing a range of valuable skills and competencies which are known to enhance children's learning and future success, for example, Social Skills, Managing Feelings, Being Creative, Being Empathic etc. Work continues to disseminate this work across the authority and to monitor impact of whole school, curriculum embedded approaches.
These developments have influenced the DFES's SEBS (Social, Emotional and Behavioural Skills) and SEAL (Social Emotional Aspects of Learning) initiatives.
A downloadable PDF version of the 'Behaviour for Learning Framework' can be found at the bottom of this page. For access to further information contact Dr Lynne Bianchi at l.m.bianchi@shu.ac.uk
Personal, Social & Emotional Literacy and Thinking Skills
A range of work is being undertaken nationally and internationally into the development of personal skills and capabilities. For a quick overview of how Smart Science work links to national agendas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland download the PDF document 'Links to Educational Initiatives' that can be found at the bottom of this page.
Consultative work – Personal Learning & Thinking Skills; QCA-Futurelab Working Party. We have provided advice to QCA regarding the Personal, Learning & Thinking Skills Framework (December 2005) and through the QCA-Futurelab short review (March 2007).
| downloads | |
|---|---|
 | Links to Educational Initiatives.pdf (186.94 KB) |
| Behaviour for Learning Framework.pdf (1.83 MB) |