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At OIC Brighton, we want students to understand how they learn, not just what they learn. This is the focus of our metacognition work, led by Head of Mathematics Erin and supported by Dr Fabrizio Brienza. In their recent webinar, they explored how metacognitive approaches are helping students build confidence, deepen understanding and develop strong problem‑solving skills.
Metacognition goes beyond “thinking about thinking”. It helps students recognise what they know, identify gaps and choose effective strategies when facing new or complex tasks. This reflective awareness supports independent learning, resilience and the confidence to persist when work becomes challenging.
As part of Nord Anglia Education’s Delta Research Project in partnership with Harvard’s Project Zero, Erin and Fabrizio collaborated with educators globally to explore six key learner dispositions: critical thinking, curiosity, creativity, compassion, commitment and collaboration. Their work included sharing findings at Harvard and implementing classroom strategies designed to nurture these skills more intentionally.
A core element of this work is the use of thinking routines—structured prompts that encourage students to reflect, question and explore ideas in greater depth. Fabrizio’s Year 13 maths class, for example, used the “What If Instead?” routine to investigate polar curves, helping students build flexibility in their reasoning and articulate their thinking more clearly.
The next phase, Delta 2, expands this metacognitive approach across more subjects, helping students understand and apply thinking routines throughout their learning. Both teachers are also pursuing action research: Fabrizio is examining how students engage with non‑routine mathematical tasks, while Erin is exploring how student reflection after assessments improves decision‑making and study strategies.
Metacognition equips students with lifelong skills: independence, curiosity, resilience and the ability to learn effectively in any setting. It helps them “travel far and wide into new territories”, as Erin describes, making it a real human superpower.
At Oxford International College Brighton, you’ll follow your own pathway to success. Inspired to go above and beyond, you’ll achieve outstanding results that will take you to your dream university.
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