Training

Whilst the EEF confirms that metacognitive strategies have “very high impact for very low cost”, they also say that “it can be difficult to give concrete examples of what metacognitive knowledge and skills actually look like”. But Thinking Moves can do precisely this for your school. Start on our training pathway to:

  • build a common vocabulary for thinking about thinking

  • access a range of activities that develop skills and strategies that impact across the curriculum

  • qualify one of your own staff to lead on metacognition training in-school

There are three levels of training in Thinking Moves: Foundation, Enrichment and Leadership. They can be signed up for one at a time, or in discounted packages, which come with online and other support to enable sustainable implementation.

Looking for an online course for just yourself? Go to Open Courses.

Thinking Moves Training

A curriculum-centred approach

Training that doesn’t connect to the curriculum isn’t worth its salt. Learn how to:

  • Embed metacognitive activities in all subjects

  • Integrate metacognition with enquiry-based learning

  • Develop your questioning to facilitate deeper thinking

Practical for teachers

INSET should be memorable, and its impact immediate and lasting. Thinking Moves training explains:

  • How to tailor metacognitive strategies for all age groups, from early years to high school

  • How to help your class memorise all 26 moves in just one lesson

  • How to make metacognition become part of daily teaching and learning routines

Developing strategies for learning

Unlike most existing approaches, Thinking Moves gives learners a common vocabulary to talk about their own thinking and develop strategies, from the EEF’s general:

  • Plan (AHEAD), Monitor (ZOOM OUT), Evaluate (WEIGH UP)

to paticular and personal ones such as:

  • BACK & PICTURE (for retrieval)

  • KEYWORD & HEADLINE (for comprehension)

…plus many more.

“Metacognition is one of those words that I have struggled to get my head around and fully get to grips with.  Your session has been the only time where I have seen it 'brought to life' and seen it in practice.” Teacher, 2022

“During a teaching career of over 20 years, there have been very few initiatives that have had as great a positive impact on my practice.” Head of School

“Thinking Moves A to Z is emphatically empowering!” KS2 teacher, Liverpool

Resources included

Your school gets copies of Thinking Moves for every member of staff. And Thinking Moves training practices what it preaches: thinking AHEAD and providing a recommended ORDER for implementing the scheme: a rich set of resources for introducing all pupils to all the Moves in the first fortnight, then simple fortnightly reminders focussing on 2 at a time, so that by the end of the year, all 26 Moves have become thoroughly embedded in the curriculum, and in every teacher’s pedagogy – not to mention the end goal, that students use them confidently and metacognitively, i.e. to manage their own thinking, feeling and acting.

The training pathway

Foundation training (6 hours) usually takes place in person for whole schools, but it can also be delivered online in 3 x 2 hour Zooms. It gives staff (and any parents or governors) practical understanding of metacognition, and a wealth of ideas to embed metacognitive skills and strategies into their lessons, and into the everyday lives of their pupils. Teachers can begin using the scheme from day 1. It comes with easy-start resources, including the “Thinking Calendar”, enabling systematic practice through the year. From £1200. N.B. This can include subscription to the Thinking Moves Network (normally £150 p.a.) which gives all staff members access to half-termly bulletins, 6 webinars, and premium resources on the website.

Enrichment training is minimally another 6 hours for whole schools, usually about 6 months after the Foundation course, but, to help you consolidate Thinking Moves across your curriculum and beyond, it is recommended to include support between the courses. The support usually consists of at least:

  • two online twilight sessions

  • an in-person support day

Both the timing and content of these are tailored to a school’s wishes. The Enrichment course by itself is from £1200. The Supported Implementation Package (SIP1) is from £3500.

Leadership training is a 6-hour course, usually online, for lead teachers (£200 pp). Participants can proceed, via the Leadership pathway, to become school-based trainers - validated to provide ongoing training in their school, e.g. for new staff - usually within 18 months of Foundation training.

This pathway consists of at leat two online sessions dedicated to their personal practice and development, and access to training slides and resources. (£500). Schools who sign up for this Sustainable Implementation Package (SIP2) can have 2-for-1 places on the next convenient Trainer Pathway course. This package is from £4000.

We are fully confident that our Leadership programme will ensure that the scheme is embedded for years to come.

Open online courses

Next online FOUNDATION courses

  • 11, 18, 25 March (Monday)

Next online ADVANCED courses

  • 12, 19, 26 March (Tuesdays)

All sessions are 15.30 – 17.30 UK time via Zoom.

To sign up, contact Roger directly: rogersutcliffe@dialogueworks.co.uk

Contact us

Whether you'd like to invite us to train staff, work with pupils, or something else entirely, we'd love to hear from you.

Send us a message on the right.