This document discusses the growth mindset versus a fixed mindset. It outlines three key mindset traits: how one wants to appear to others, responding to setbacks, and views on talent versus effort. Those with a growth mindset focus on learning at all costs, see setbacks as opportunities to learn, and believe effort is key to success rather than innate talent. The document provides strategies for cultivating a growth mindset in students and teachers, such as praising effort over ability, using the language of "yet" when students struggle, and building in time for improvements with feedback. The overall goal is to develop independence, resilience, and continual improvement in learning.

1. A Growth Mindset

2. Mindset Trait 1:
how you want to appear to others
Fixed •Look clever at all costs
Growth •Learn at all costs

3. Mindset Trait 2:
responding to setbacks
Fixed
•It’s about me: hide
mistakes and deficiencies
Growth
•It’s about learning:
confront mistakes and
deficiencies

4. Mindset Trait 3:
talent vs effort
Fixed •It should come naturally
Growth •Work hard, effort is key

5. A growth mindset for students
• Inspiration boards
• Treasure hunt!
• Student questionnaire (3rd September)
• Launch Assembly (11th September and week following)
• Enrichment Session (23rd September)

6. A growth mindset in the classroom
• Feedback (praise and constructive criticism) should always be linked to
effort
• Linking feedback explicitly to intelligence or ability may be counter-
productive in the long term
• Give praise for:
• Taking initiative
• Seeing a difficult task through
• Struggling
• Learning something new
• Being undaunted by a setback
• Being open to and acting on critique

7. In practice – always praise effort not ability
If a student has done well praise the effort and strategy that led to the
achievement. Avoid praising some innate ability.

8. In practice – use the language of yet
If a student is struggling with a task or a topic use the language of YET.
Focus on how with renewed effort they can overcome their setbacks and
become better.

9. In practice – encourage improvements
Growth Mindset students
understand that it is essential to
learn from feedback. Build in
time for improvements and
praise how the student has
responded to your comments.
This is just as important for those
students currently doing well in
your subject as well as those that
are struggling.

10. A growth mindset for staff
• Teaching and Learning Teams:
• Improving feedback
• Differentiation
• Engaging students in learning
• Developing independence and resilience
• Using research to improve teaching
• The growth mindset classroom
“Every teacher needs to improve; not because they are not good enough,
but because they can be even better”
(Dylan Wiliam)