These are some of the attributes promoted by the Expansive Education network:

adaptability collaboration courage creative thinking creativity emotional self-management empathy finding humour imagining inquisitiveness intuitive thinking mindfulness optimism problem-solving reflective practice resilience resourcefulness responsible risk-taking self-awareness self-reliance thinking interdependently

To educate our children for their future careers, we follow the ideas in the world of business where we can. The Confederation of British Industry or (CBI), in its report, First steps: a new approach for our schools, also suggests that education should go beyond the merely academic, into the behaviours and attitudes that schools should foster in everything they do.

These are the Habits of Mind that the CBI suggests schools should focus on:

Grit Resilience Tenacity Self-control Curiosity Enthusiasm Zest Gratitude Confidence Ambition Creativity Humility Respect Good manners Sensitivity to global concerns.

A similar approach can be found in the Impetus research document: ‘Ready For Work’ in which six vital capabilities or attributes are identified by employers as key skills to access and succeed in the workplace:

The Six Vital Capabilities to be Ready For Work (impetus-pef.org.uk/ReadyForWork)

1. Self Aware:

Takes responsibility for themselves and others, exhibits self-control, accountability for one’s actions, does not shift blame and recognises their own strengths and weaknesses

2. Receptive:

Willing to address weaknesses, takes feedback and advice, open to new ideas and working in different ways, open-minded, patient and flexible

3. Driven:

Displays a positive attitude, applies oneself consistently, reliable, motivated, punctual,

well-organised, hard-working and goes the extra mile

4. Self Assured:

Has good levels of self-esteem, willing to ask questions and seek more information, can work alone without clear direction, displaying physical signs of self-esteem, such as a firm handshake.

5. Resilient:

Copes with rejection and set-backs, learns from mistakes, open to constructive criticisms, determined to overcome obstacles, perseveres and does not panic under pressure.

6. Informed:

Has an understanding of the job market, able to search for job vacancies, does background research, understands office etiquette, well-presented, can effectively describe their achievements verbally and has a representative CV.

At Westerings Primary Academy, we believe that an individual’s intelligence is expandable, not fixed. Success comes from learning, practice and effort. We want to help our children to have a ‘Growth Mindset’, i.e, to:

• embrace challenges

• persist despite struggling or coming across obstacles

• see effort and hard work as a way to improve

• appreciate and learn from feedback, including constructive criticism

Our children can take inspiration from many successful Olympic and World Class Sportspeople, Business CEOs, Scientists and Creative Artists, all who promote Growth Mindsets.

‘Educating Ruby’ by Guy Claxton and Bill Lucas promotes all of these ideas and suggests 7 C’s of Learning:

Confidence - Curiosity - Collaboration - Communication - Creativity -Commitment - Craftsmanship

Parents/Carers can find inspiration to help their child at home on their website:

http://educatingruby.org/blog

So what does this mean for us at Westerings Primary Academy?

At Westerings we are keen followers of current thinking and research, joining the exciting global movement focused on the education system being fit for purpose and helping to develop learners of the future with the habits, character and disposition to build the future.

How do we use these ideas?

• We bear all of these ideas in mind when planning our lessons, extra-curricular activities and our whole school approach

• We aim to develop character and these dispositions through modelling by our own behaviour and having high expectations of ourselves and others

• We encourage courage and calculated risk taking, promoting failure as a means to learn.

• We plan problem solving, collaborative activities that promote awe and wonder, moral purpose, deeper thinking, questioning and reasoning

• We promote high moral values and the importance of democracy, equality and justice

• As a staff, we continue to learn and develop our own knowledge and skills

At Westerings Primary Academy, we want the best for each of our children and strive to prepare them well to succeed in every aspect of their future lives.

At Westerings, Every Child really does Matter.