I adapted this progression in thinking document to support curriculum enrichment in our school. A few years ago, we wanted to make philosophical enquiry the focus for our cross curricular creative curriculum. This document enables teachers to confidently plan in lots of age appropriate thinking and talking opportunities. Children are instinctively curious about life. Growing up raises lots of questions, some to do with their experience, both the good and the bad, and some to do with their sense of wonder at the universe we live in. Many of our children have an interest in exploring how these ideas and experiences help them to develop their own sense of identity, self-worth, personal insight, meaning and purpose. We expect our children to think, so we need to teach them to do so. it is important to encourage them to explore thinking using all facets of their cognitive ability and respecting their amazing capacity to engage with high levels philosophical debate from a very young age. In each classroom we have a thinking and talking book displayed in a designated ‘reflection’ space. We have a philosophical question displayed, for example: Would an octopus make a good lifeguard? or There are two doors, one with yes written on it and one with no. Which door do you go through and why? In the book we write philosophical questions linked to the curriculum, for example: Can one person change the world? What does it meant to be free? What makes an everyday hero? We also introduce the topic using thinking skills activities like alphabet analysers, thinkers keys and jigsaw reveal. To provoke discussion, elicit prior knowledge and to engage the children in the subject giving them the curiosity to become independent learners. I have included an example of resources that I have adapted to support thinking in my classroom and across our school. I hope you enjoy them. Please leave feedback and a review if you do. Kind Regards, Mrs Beth Reynolds

Are you new to the role of PSHE and want a template to help you write whole school planning for your school? In a recent moderation, this panning was viewed as exemplary so you will find this a great start. My advice is to think about your school and how you can weave and embed the PSHE and RSE curriculum into all areas of the curriculum. Included, is a year by year overview of PSHE planning from early years to year 6, our school policy documents and a skills and knowledge planner. This should provide a great start to anyone new to the role.

I made this resource based on literature works for whole class guided reading in my year 2 class. We have a reading journal where the children record their thoughts and ideas. Enjoy :)

I put together these lessons after a brilliant Literature Works training session. They introduce the text from chapter 1 to chapter 4. My class are year 4 but I'm sure you could adapt this resource for other years. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Two lesson presentations introducing the protected characteristics to your UKS2/LKS3 classroom. There are resources included for both lessons that you can adapt to suit your class. One of them is a child friendly version of the equality Act that I downloaded from here https://crae.org.uk/. I followed them up with the sequence of lessons challenging gender stereotypes. Please let me know how you got on with the resources.

Welcome to the Festival of Thought! As the PSHE lead in our school, I’ve always been deeply intrigued by the inner workings of the human mind and the profound impact that introspection and contemplation can have on individuals of all ages. Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to creating spaces where people can explore the bigger questions about life and the world around them without fear of judgment or repercussion. Many years ago, I introduced the concept of the ‘Festival of Thought’ within our school—a dynamic and interactive space divided into different areas to cater to various aspects of thinking. Here, both children and adults alike are invited to reflect, let go, question, and engage with the deeper issues that often go unaddressed in our daily lives. The Festival of Thought revolves around three main themes: Thinking About Ourselves: This area encourages self-reflection and introspection, allowing individuals to explore their personal values, beliefs, and emotions in a nurturing environment. Thinking About Our Communities: In this section, we delve into topics related to our immediate surroundings and the communities we belong to, fostering a sense of connection and responsibility towards one another. Thinking About the Wider World: Here, we broaden our perspective and consider global issues that impact us all, from environmental sustainability to social justice and beyond. The success of the Festival of Thought has been truly remarkable. The insights and reflections shared by participants—whether they be pupils, staff members, or governors—have provided invaluable guidance for our school’s PSHE planning, ensuring that our curriculum remains relevant, responsive, and impactful. We have since recreated the Festival of Thought on multiple occasions, finding it to be an invaluable tool, particularly during challenging times such as the pandemic. Our pupils and staff members alike have found solace and catharsis in expressing their thoughts and feelings, especially after our return to school once Covid restrictions were lifted. To give you a glimpse into the magic of the Festival of Thought, I’ve shared a video documenting our first and most recent iterations. These videos capture the essence of our journey—from humble beginnings as an experimental concept to a powerful tool for fostering meaningful conversations and connections. While you can find some resources for creating your own Festival of Thought on here, I highly encourage you to tailor the experience to suit your school’s unique needs and the individual needs of your pupils. Feel free to reach out to me if you’re interested in further support or professional development in this area. Join us at the Festival of Thought as we embark on a journey of exploration, discovery, and growth. Together, let’s ignite the spark of curiosity and inspire conversations that have the power to shape our understanding of ourselves, our communities, and the world we inhabit. Enjoy!