George Heriot's Junior School
George Heriot's Junior School
George Heriot's School, an independent school in the centre of Edinburgh, was founded in 1628. Intended by the founder as a school for 'fatherless bairnes', it is now an independent school for children at nursery, primary and secondary level. There are around 615 children in the junior school.
Deputy head Lesley Franklin discusses the whole-school programme
Problem solving at George Heriot’s Junior School is timetabled once a week for all classes. A programme is in place that aims to provide continuity and progression throughout the school. By P7, pupils will have been introduced to nine strategies.
George Heriot’s Junior School also has a complementary thinking skills programme, which is taught by separate enrichment staff.
Deputy head Lesley Franklin emphasises that problem solving permeates the whole curriculum, from English to Science. Pupils are now using a problem solving approach in much of their learning - they are more willing to have a go, to speak out in class and to explain their thinking (something that was particularly praised in a recent inspection report).
Resources such as Scottish Heinemann Maths, Lothian Region and Liverpool Mathematical Society’s FunMaths boxes are used, together with thinking skills resources such as Let’s Think through Science (GL Assessment). There is ongoing continuous assessment and the information is shared with parents.
| Deputy head Lesley Franklin discusses the whole-school programme | |
|---|---|
| Description | Lesley Franklin talks about the school's problem solving and thinking skills programmes, the resources used and the observable benefits |
| Duration | 2 minutes 19 seconds |
| Windows version |  Windows Media video: Deputy head Lesley Franklin discusses the whole-school programme |
| Mac version |  QuickTime movie: Deputy head Lesley Franklin discusses the whole-school programme |
| Transcript | Deputy head Lesley Franklin discusses the whole-school programme |
Stages at George Heriot's Junior School
- P2, George Heriot’s Junior School
A P2 thinking skills lesson.
- P7a, George Heriot’s Junior School
P7 girls ‘Act out a situation’.
- P7b, George Heriot’s Junior School
Problems from FunMaths boxes.