Burgess Hill School for Girls has recently started ‘Thinking Allowed’, a new and fun practical philosophy club for Year 2 where the girls think about the process of thought. The club gives the girls the chance to be supported and challenged to think for themselves. The main aim of the club is to develop high-quality dialogue skills which can lead to advanced level thinking skills and emotional intelligence.

Studies have shown that a child’s life chances are at least as much affected by emotional intelligence (EQ), as they are by IQ. Emotional intelligences include self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills. These intelligences will bring children to a point where choices are possible rather than habitual behaviour.

Mrs Pearson-Rujas who started at the school in September and has set up this club says that her wish is that ‘Thinking Allowed’ will empower the girls to take an active role in their own thinking and that of others, whilst also having fun with their friends.

14/11/07

Thinking allowed