A guide to our unique approach to education
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr. -
NHP has been a Thinking School since 2014. In 2021, we achieved accreditation as an Advanced Thinking School by the Cognitive Education Development Unit of the University of Exeter. We are currently the first and only prep school to hold this award in England.*
At NHP pupils are encouraged to know how their mind works and learn from their mistakes.
Noticing and understanding the way you think is called metacognition and is the fabric of teaching and learning at NHP.
* Correct at time of print (September 2023).
Teaching metacognitive skills promotes independence and resilience, and creates the problem solvers and critical thinkers of tomorrow.
At the heart of an NHP education are four key values:
We are curious. We know that a question is almost always the first stage in both the learning process and in finding our voice and so we encourage them. We inspire debate and seek intellectual growth. We find joy in imagination, passion, adventure and original thought and we nurture those qualities in our pupils.
We are ambitious. We believe that a child’s school years should be a time when they feel safe to challenge and be challenged. When children do not fear failure, they are ready to express their own views, test out new ideas and take risks. At NHP, we celebrate being out of our comfort zone both personally and academically. We see making mistakes, and learning from them, as the path to deeper learning.
We think about ourselves. We encourage our pupils to be aware of what they think and feel in certain situations. Observing our own actions and reactions is the first step towards being more conscious of how we learn, how we behave and who we are. Increased self-knowledge is a key part of future success and growing into the person you would like to be.
We think about others. We take time to observe and consider the lives and needs of the people around us. We are part of many different communities: cultural, social, local, national and international. Appreciating the diversity and complexity of other people deepens our ability to empathise. We advocate that whilst you are forging your own path you have a responsibility to look after and respect others along the way.
Areas
Habits
Tools
SELF-KNOWLEDGE � COMMUNITY
• Reflection
• Environment
knowledge in new situations
accuracy Collaborating
Communicating with clarity
• Well-being
Being kind and courteous
Showing independence
Persisting and persevering
Visible thinking
Thinking frames/maps
Working methods
Mindfulness
Zones of regulation
Rosenshine’s principles of instruction
The six ‘areas of pedagogy’ are brought into all aspects of teaching and learning at NHP to ensure our pupils receive a well-rounded education.
Attitude directly impacts achievement across all areas of life. NHP teaches pupils how to develop, cultivate and maintain a positive and enquiring attitude to learning to support them for years to come.
Teachers at NHP use a broad and flexible range of teaching methods and tools to set the foundations for life-long learning. These methods, such as Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats, enable the children to develop a wide range of thinking skills.
The art of reflecting on mistakes, conversations, reactions and other areas of life and learning is a crucial skill to progression. NHP celebrates marvellous mistakes both inside and outside the classroom so that we can all learn and grow from them.
People, places and things can stimulate curiosity and inspire a mind to learn. At NHP, we strive to create an enriching learning environment wherever possible to generate this passion for education from an early age.
Teaching the skills to organise one’s thoughts, emotions, and workings is an essential life skill in a fast-paced and changing society. We encourage both independent and collaborative thinking skills to support this development.
Teaching our pupils how to develop and take ownership of their mental health and wellbeing is integral at NHP. It allows pupils to learn effectively, cope with unexpected challenges and build resilience and empathy.
Inspired by Art Costa’s 16 Habits, NHP has created its own 10 unique ‘Rabbit with the Habits’. These are dispositions essential to becoming a successful learner, worker and human being in an ever-changing society. Pupils are taught how to embody these habits in all areas of school life and to bring them home to their families through actions, words and deeds.
Teachers at NHP are trained to use a variety of metacognitive tools to help pupils understand how their brains work. These tools enable our pupils to solve complex problems, ask good questions and think creatively. Most importantly, they encourage a passion for learning through curiosity and discussion.
