Mindset is based on the work of Psychologist Carol Dweck; she has conducted hundreds of studies with learners of all ages to understand how they think about themselves and how this influences their actions. Mindset is the idea that we hold a set of beliefs about our own intelligence and ability, and that these beliefs shape the way we behave. We have tried to foster in our learners a growth mindset – the belief that intelligence and ability are not fixed traits, but can be changed with effort.
Adopting a growth mindset means:
Students with a growth mindset are more resilient and determined, they have a passion for learning that will last, they do not allow problems and challenges to stop them from achieving. Students who have adopted a growth mindset embrace the challenge of learning. They want to be pushed and stretched in lessons as they recognise that only doing tasks that are easy will not lead to improvement.
Mindset is a key part of the induction process for students as they start in the Sixth Form. Students are introduced to the main ideas, and helped to recognise their own mindset, and how this influences their behaviour.
