THINKING SKILLS

At Kirstenhof we aim to raise up good thinkers, who will go out and change the world. But creative thinking does not replace the teaching of knowledge. It gives us skills to use the knowledge we have gained. It helps us to think differently about the knowledge.

In essence, this is what education is. It teaches us to think. Teaching creative and critical thinking is just teaching children to think differently and to develop a way of thinking which enables them to come up with novel solutions to problems.

AT KIRSTENHOF PRIMARY WE HAVE MADE SOME ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT CREATIVITY:

• Creativity can and must be taught

• Creativity is an essential skill to succeed in this world

• Everyone has the ability to be creative

OUR CREATIVE THINKING CENTRE

We have our very own Think Centre, an eclectic space that promotes creative and critical thinking. Every week, all children from Grade 3 to Grade 6 spend an hour in the Think Centre stretching their minds, and challenging how they view the world around them. This democratises our approach to teaching thinking skills as we believe all children at Kirstenhof should have this opportunity.

With the rise of AI, we have seen the need to turn towards the skills that make us human, skills that AI will not be able to replace. Creativity, curiosity, and collaboration are essential tools that our children need to grow and develop, to be able to thrive as adults one day. The vision behind the Think Centre is to do just that! We teach children how to think, not what to think, and if they leave the Think Centre with their minds racing with questions, then we feel that our job has been done!

From looking at De Bono’s Thinking Hats, to shaping our approach off the 16 Habits of Mind, the lessons are engaging and stimulating. Often taking a STEM approach to learning there are lots of hands on experiments and building. From constructing mini rollercoasters, building catapults or launching rockets on the field, it is always exciting!

Looking at how psychology influences our thinking the children reflect on influence that they are exposed to as we discuss how influence can be a force for good, but one that needs to be used wisely.

Learning about famous scientists, or posing as lawyers to debate in courtroom style, much involvement happens. Our students build DNA models out of sweets, explore the magic of big bubbles, explore the link between maths and art and investigate life in space. They create, collaborate and grow their curiosity, and more importantly, they have fun while doing it.

ENRICHMENT AT KIRSTENHOF PRIMARY

Enrichment lessons are where curiosity leads the way, creativity comes alive, and learners discover just how exciting it is to think differently. Each year’s programme is packed with thought-provoking challenges that stretch the mind, spark the imagination, and invite children to explore big ideas in meaningful ways. With every new term comes a fresh theme and a brand-new adventure.

Our themes are always intriguing—guided by current events, the world around us, and the interests of our pupils. Creativity lies at the heart of everything we do. Inspired by Paul Torrance’s four pillars of creativity—fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality—we design activities that encourage learners to generate ideas freely and push their thinking further than they thought possible.

We also draw on the work of many leading creative specialists who remind us that creativity thrives when ideas are allowed to flow. We teach children that quantity leads to quality—the more ideas they produce, the more likely they are to stumble upon something brilliant. They learn to “piggyback” on one another’s thinking, make bold connections, and see how bringing together two completely different ideas can spark surprising, original solutions. The Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process—used worldwide in innovation and design (Osborn, Parnes, Treffinger and Puccio)—gives structure to this thinking, helping children clarify challenges, generate possibilities, and take imaginative action.

Enrichment at Kirstenhof also encourages learners to engage wisely and safely with educational technology. As AI becomes a valuable part of modern learning, we guide children in using it thoughtfully, creatively, and responsibly. Ultimately, our Enrichment programme is designed to stretch the minds of learners who crave extra stimulation, giving them the freedom to explore, question, experiment, and create—always supported by an inspired teacher in a safe, nurturing school environment.

Building blocks

At Building Blocks, we debunk the belief that Mathematics and Science are intimidating subjects. We create a learning environment where curiosity is celebrated and exploration is encouraged. Our practical, hands-on approach ensures that children learn through experiencing, experimenting, and doing. Instead of traditional instruction, teachers facilitate learning by guiding learners as they discover concepts for themselves.

This child-centred method builds confidence and deep understanding. Children are encouraged to think deeply, ask questions, and find creative ways to problem-solve. Peer assistance is an important part of our classroom culture, allowing learners to support and motivate one another. Active participation is encouraged in every lesson. By exploring ideas, testing solutions, and learning collaboratively, children develop strong critical-thinking skills.

At Building Blocks, every child becomes an engaged, capable, and enthusiastic young scientist and mathematician.