Mantle of the expert

Background
The Mantle of the Expert is an approach to teaching and learning that
has been seen to have enormous positive effects on teachers and
learners alike.

“It makes learning very real. Knowledge and values are explored
in a way that is immediately accessible for children.”

Developed originally by Dorothy Heathcote, this is a
way of teaching that develops children’s curriculum knowledge,
skills and self-esteem through their total engagement with the
problems that arise in the context of their operation as experts in
imagined enterprises.

Who is it for?
Teachers, classroom assistants, curriculum leaders, managers
and advisors have all found this course helpful in their work.
It has proved particularly useful to schools focussing on:
communication skills, enquiry-based learning, emotional literacy,
the engagement of under-achieving and gifted and
talented learners, curriculum reform, values education and
thinking skills.


Aims of the course
- to equip teachers with the theory and practical strategies
   they need to use Mantle of the Expert in their own context.
- to provide help in planning Mantle of the Expert into the curriculum.
- to facilitate shared reflective practice amongst practitioners
   encouraging  learning from experience and from each other.


Course content
The course explores:
- the nature of Mantle of the Expert,
- the techniques and resources that ensure its successful application
   in the classroom,
- its connection with wider agendas like: Engagement in
   Learning, Teaching Thinking, Emotional Intelligence,
  and Every Child Matters.

“Mantle of the Expert is fun but learning too. We get involved in
the story – our story.”

Course participants will:
- take part in a Mantle of the Expert session.
- consider the principles of the approach and their expression
   in its practice.
- use a range of practical strategies that extend the scope of
   Mantle of the Expert.
- consider ways of monitoring progress.


Structure of the course

There are two options available:

Option A
A one day course

Option B
The two day course comprising one full day
plus a second day, or series of twilights, in which we go deeper.
Participants encouraged to try the approach between sessions and
reflect on the experience. These reflections will help shape the nature
of the following session.


Costs

Please contact us for details:

tel. 01670 783482
ian@thinkwell.org.uk

University accreditation

For a small amount of additional work, you can upgrade work on the full course to
gain the Critical Reflection on Professional Study certificate worth
20 credits on the Masters course.