Meon Junior School, a proud member of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, has received Advanced Thinking School accreditation from the University of Exeter - a prestigious recognition awarded to schools across the country that embed metacognitive strategies and thinking tools deeply into their culture and teaching.
It focuses on encouraging pupils to think further about their thinking, equipping them to build their understanding of the subjects they are taught.
This achievement places Meon Junior School, part of the Meon Way Federation located on Shelford Road in Milton, amongst a community of schools across the UK demonstrating exceptional commitment to developing children not just academically, but as reflective, critical, and creative thinkers.
The accreditation report praised Meon Junior’s “breathtakingly innovative educational provision” and its dedication to holistic, lifelong learning.
The report noted the school’s emphasis on developing adaptable and resilient learners through its ‘Meon Mastery Approach’, a framework that supports pupils in becoming their best selves both in and beyond the classroom.
Sara Paine, Executive Head of Meon Junior School, said the recognition is a proud moment for the whole school community: “We are immensely proud to have achieved Advanced Thinking School status. This is the result of years of hard work and belief in our students’ potential.
“At Meon Way Federation and across the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, we don’t just prepare children for tests, we prepare them for life. Our staff work tirelessly to help pupils grow into confident, curious learners with a real sense of purpose.
“And the Thinking Schools methodology helps us in achieving our mission to transform the life chances of every child, regardless of their individual circumstances.”
The journey to this accolade began in 2017, when the school first started its thinking school development, achieving Level 1 accreditation in 2021.
Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, embedding thinking tools across the curriculum and involving all staff, including teachers, support staff, and early career teachers in its development.
The report also highlighted the school’s international influence, with Meon Junior contributing to global conversations around education and cognitive development, joining others in doing the same across its multi-academy trust.
Claire Jewell, the school’s Thinking Lead, has been instrumental in driving the approach forward. She said that Meon Junior School’s success comes from a belief in teaching pupils how to think, not just what to think: “Our metacognitive approach, supported by thinking tools such as Habits of Mind and the Six Thinking Hats, encourages children to take ownership of their learning.
“By learning how to think reflectively and critically, our pupils become more engaged, confident and independent learners. It’s a foundation that leads to both academic success and personal growth.
“I am hugely grateful to every member of staff that has been involved in this achievement; they are driven in our child first approach and work hard to drive positive results for every pupil within our community.”
The school’s ethos, summed up in its motto of ‘Be Your Best Self’, runs through every aspect of daily life, from classroom practice to community engagement. For more information about what it means to be a Thinking School and the tools used by Meon Junior, visit the Thinking Schools Academy Trust website.