School staff should encourage pupils to think independently, says head

School staff are being urged to encourage their pupils to think more independently at an independent school in Berkshire.

According to Dr Anthony Seldon, high master of Wellington College, it is important that students are taught to think actively rather than passively.

This means that those in teaching jobs should ensure that they give their pupils the opportunity to find out things for themselves by putting "discovery" back at the heart of education.

"Education … is about teaching the whole child, and this involves being taught how to think and reason independently," he stated.

Dr Seldon was speaking after announcing that Wellington has just recruited two new members of school staff.

Creator of Mind Maps Tony Buzan will become the school's thinker-in-residence, while the role of philosopher-in-residence beckons for leading philosopher Dr Julian Baggini.

The high master noted that their appointment will complement the school's introduction of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

Wellington will become the first independent institution to offer this qualification in September.


Published On 20/04/2009