Dear Parents,
We were thrilled to share our recent further exploration into metacognition this past week, a crucial skill in today's ever-evolving educational landscape. Metacognition involves being aware of one's thought processes, understanding how to approach tasks effectively, and being able to monitor and adjust strategies as needed - essential elements for successful learning.
In conjunction with our study, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Kate Erricker and Emily Murphy from our central Nord Anglia Education Team at our school. Their collaborative efforts have deepened our understanding of metacognition and its profound impact on learning outcomes, as well as for the students and parents who took part in the parent session we held in school last week.
I would like to draw your attention to a great article in our Nord Anglia Insight magazine by Julie Henry, "Helping Kids Unlock the Power of 'Thinking About Thinking", which provides valuable insights into intentional reflection, aligning with our educational philosophy. We encourage meaningful conversations with your child, focusing on what they found easy or enjoyable in their learning and what challenged them. This shift fosters reflective learning—a practice that cultivates lifelong learning habits.
Supporting our children is a shared challenge, and we recognise the complexities parents and educators face. To aid in this journey, we have developed a comprehensive guide to effective revision, backed by scientific research (read our blog on the launch here). This guide encompasses various revision strategies, from retrieval practice to lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, and exercise. It aims to create conducive learning environments at home and reinforce school teachings.
Metacognition plays a vital role in preparing students for the dynamic future ahead of them. To learn more about how metacognition can support your child's educational journey and to access our guide to effective revision here.
As we embark on this journey, we are proud to be part of a collaborative effort involving 25 other Nord Anglia schools - To drive positive change and use cognitive science insights to better prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities they will encounter.
Thank you for your unwavering support and partnership in shaping a brighter future for our students.
Matthew Harper
Head of Primary
The British International School Abu Dhabi
