School Diary

Personal Learning and Thinking Skills
C O N TA C T B O O K 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 1 1
Advice from the Stratford
City Education Project
The framework for personal, learning and thinking skills (PLTS) describes the
qualities and skills needed for success in learning and life. These skills and
qualities were developed by the QCA for young people aged 11-19, and can be
utilized across subject areas from Year 7 to Year 11 at Forest Gate Community
School. Alongside the functional skills of English, Mathematics and ICT these
skills are essential to success in life, learning and work.
There are six key areas that will be discussed. Note when and where you have
the opportunity to develop these skills in your normal lessons.
INDEPENDENT ENQUIRERS
Description:
During research activities you will process and evaluate information, plan what
to do and how to go about it. You will take informed and well-reasoned
decisions and recognize that others have different beliefs and attitudes.
Skills, behaviours and personal qualities:
• You can identify which questions to answer and problems that need resolving.
• You are able to plan and carry out research, understanding the consequences
of decisions, identify questions to answer and problems to resolve.
• You can plan and carry out research, appreciating the consequences of
decisions.
• You are able to explore issues, events or problems from different
perspectives.
• You can analyze and evaluate information, judging its relevance and value.
• You consider the influence of circumstances, beliefs and feelings on decisions
and events.
• You support your conclusions, using reasoned arguments and evidence.
When might you do this?
• In Art you may plan your own research determining its focus.
• In English you could explore questions about a text.
• In Mathematics you would develop your independence in selecting the
mathematics to use when working on problems.
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