“If parents want to give their children a gift, the best thing they can do is to teach their children to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep on learning.” Carol Dweck.

Fostering a Growth Mindset in the Classroom

At Wessex Gardens Primary School, we know that pupils who have a positive attitude towards their learning will make good progress and be successful. Consequently, instilling all our pupils with 'growth mindsets' has become a key priority for the school. We have introduced the theories of Dr Carol Dweck to staff and pupils and are determined to embed its ideas within our school ethos. 

We want all our pupils to relish challenges, embrace their mistakes as part of the learning process, value the importance of effort, respond carefully to feedback and take inspiration from others. This will help them to achieve, not only with us, but also in their future lives as adults.

We are very excited about the prospect of nurturing a growth mindset culture in our School. 

Encouraging children to become confident and resilient learners

Here at Wessex Gardens Primary School, we know that in order to fulfil the potential of our pupils and encourage them to become confident and resilient learners we, as a team of parents and staff, need to be modelling the mindset of a learner who is not afraid of making mistakes but who thrives upon them, knowing that this is all part of the learning process. The way in which we encourage children to learn and explore is vital to their success, not only at school but at home as well.

In our curriculum and learning assemblies each week,  we have dedicated sessions to address what kind of learners we want to be and how we can positively approach challenges inside and outside the classroom. We watch videos about our main character 'Mojo', which show how learners can achieve a growth mindset and discuss ideas on how to persevere, challenge ourselves, take risks and celebrate our marvellous mistakes. 

Key aspects of growth mindset at Wessex Gardens Primary School:

• We celebrate making mistakes – we can learn from them;
• We never give up – perseverance is the key if we are to succeed;
• We learn from each other;
• We don’t compare ourselves with others;
• We challenge ourselves and take risks;
• We remember that our brains are making new connections and growing all the time by exercising our learning muscles

Embrace the word “yet”. If a child makes the statement,

“I can't do it,” encourage the child to say, “I can't do it yet.”

Something that is memorable is worth remembering or likely to be remembered, because it is special or very enjoyable.

• Participate in memorable real life experiences
• Actively engage in learning outside the classroom
• Play an instrument in assembly
• Learn a new language
• Go on a trip travelling by public transport
• Visit a place of interest around London
• Sleep at least two nights away from school
• Have a speaking part in your class or year group assembly
• Weekly dance/gymnastic lessons taught by professionals
• Represent your school in a Sports Event
• Hold a position of responsibility within school (safety team, young leaders)
• Be part of pupil voice
• Celebrate international culture week with others
• Take part in a celebration for another faith/culture from your own
• Grow vegetables in the allotment
• Perform in a production
• Celebration in our weekly achievement assembly
• Be a fabulous Friday winning class
• Enter a school-based competition
• Have a piece of your work displayed for all to see
• Take part in Wessex got talent
• Participate in themed curriculum weeks
• Celebrate world book day together
• Take part in non-uniform day to raise money for charity

Here you will find information about the curriculum at Wessex Gardens

Please click here to view the National Primary Curriculum

Please click here to view the Programmes of Study for Mathematics

Please click here to view the Programmes of Study for English