Being resilient is a fundamental aspect of learning and life. Here at Upper Batley High School we have done a lot of work on metacognition and encouraging learners to further develop their thinking. Proven and evidence-based research from the Education Endowment Foundation suggests that metacognition strategies can add 7+ months of progress to an individual’s learning.

One way we do this is through our focus on Independent Challenge Time in lessons. During this time, staff encourage learners to work on a specific challenge activity independently, for a specific time period. Learners work through the activity under exam conditions and apply previously acquired skills and knowledge to the task. This is a great way of assessing learners’ prior learning and understanding as well as developing their resilience when working through challenging tasks. Typically, young people find these type of tasks difficult so these sessions help to train them to apply independent and in-depth thinking to find the solution.

I encourage parents/carers to be involved in your child’s learning and quiz them about what they have been learning in school, and especially what they have been learning during Independent Challenge Time, in each subject area.  

Mr Aman Singh Kang