Are we building resilient learners?
We can all relate to that sense of satisfaction when a test score comes back…. 10/10! Full marks! Bravo! It feels good, there’s no doubt about it.
I recently got full marks in my paediatric first aid test and all those childhood memories came rushing back. Yes, there were only 20 questions and no, they weren’t tricky. It did however highlight to me how hard wired we are to using these ‘scores’ as a sense of validation and can be blindsided into thinking that this is what it’s all about.
It also makes it super hard to re-calibrate when things don’t go as planned – which they often don’t.
Thankfully, I have the privilege of being Head of Pre-Prep at HoImewood House and I spend all day witnessing the joy that is an education where children are measured and celebrated in so many other and arguably, much more powerful ways. Holmewood is a school where we celebrate the ‘persevering peacocks’ and the ‘curious crocodiles’ and create a safe environment where failure is not the end of the world but a wonderful learning opportunity.
The fact is, building resilience is vital!
Does this mean that we shy away from pursuing academic excellence? Absolutely not!
But it does mean that by developing the skills such as collaboration, perseverance, mastery, critical thinking and self-reflection, we are nurturing a future generation of learners who have the confidence to be brilliant!
Laura Readman, Assistant Head – Head of Pre-Prep
