Growth Mindset
Central to the ethos at Maidwell Primary School is the principle of Growth Mindset. The concept of Growth Mindset is that intelligence is not fixed and that you can, in effect, ‘grow’ your intelligence.
The brain can be developed like a muscle, changing and growing stronger as it is used. The brain grows new cells when we are learning new information and skills.
“Inside the cortex of the brain are billions of tiny nerve cells called neurons. The nerve cells have branches connecting them to other cells in a complicated network. Communication between these brain cells is what allows us to think and solve problems.
When we learn new things, these tiny connections in the brain actually multiply and get stronger. The more that you challenge your mind to learn, the more your brain cells grow. Then, things that you once found very hard or even nearly impossible to do – like speaking a foreign language or doing algebra – seem to become easy. The result is a strong, smarter brain.” (Carol Dweck – 2011)
At Maidwell Primary School the children learn about their brain development and identify with this learning culture. The route to developing a ‘smarter’ brain is input, practice and effort.
Children with a growth mindset welcome a challenge, are resilient and see making mistakes as a means of learning.
Our motto at Maidwell Primary School is: