Thoughts from the Study
Growth-Mindset
I have recently delved into Adam Grant’s book, “Hidden Talent,” authored by the organisational scientist renowned for his expertise in motivation, rethinking assumptions, and fostering generous and creative lives. Through a series of real-life case studies and examples, Grant underscores the notion that everyone possesses the potential for greatness.
At Broomfield, we firmly believe that every child has the capacity to achieve greatness, a sentiment that extends to all of us, regardless of age. Defining greatness or success is a deeply personal matter, varying from one person to another. Therefore, instead of delving into the complexities of these concepts, our focus lies on instilling a growth mindset in children. This involves nurturing their confidence and self-esteem to embrace the mindset of ‘I can do it.’
As a leader in education, working at Broomfield is an absolute privilege. Here, we witness the embodiment of this philosophy daily, as children continually impress us with their intrinsic motivation to learn and adapt, even when faced with initial challenges. Often the most daunting aspect of learning something new, lies in taking the first step. Just this morning, I had a discussion with some Year 4 children regarding this very notion. We deliberated on the idea that sometimes, the best course of action is simply to begin, fully expecting challenges initially, with the assurance that it will get easier with effort and perseverance.
This principle was exemplified beautifully during our assembly this morning, where two outstanding Year 4 girls delivered a speech in Korean before the entire school. Last week, during Headmasters Club, these girls approached me with their Korean phrase books. Displaying remarkable initiative, they had independently sought out Mrs. Hyun, asking her to teach them one Korean phrase per week, which they diligently recorded in their books and practised together. Speaking a foreign language for the first time is undoubtedly challenging, yet these girls persisted and quickly gained enough confidence to address the entire school. Their exceptional demonstration of linguistic prowess served as an inspiration for other children to explore their own interests and embark on independent learning journeys.
The concept of a growth mindset, is nothing new, and was introduced initially by psychologist Carol Dweck in 2006, where she highlighted the significant influence our beliefs about our abilities have on our achievements. In essence, if we believe we can succeed and invest the necessary effort, our abilities can develop over time through dedication and hard work.
A recent example of this was observed during this year’s London Marathon. Anya Culling, who ran her first marathon in 2020 with a time of 4.5 hours, transformed from a novice to an elite competitor, achieving a remarkable time of 2.4 hours. In an interview, she described her initial marathon experience as painful. However, just a few years later, with the right mindset, she was running at an elite pace. Importantly, she attributed her success not only to achieving balance and enjoyment throughout the journey but also to focusing on the process rather than solely on the end result.
At Broomfield, we incorporate this concept by consistently praising effort over mere outcomes. We emphasise to our children that failure is not indicative of inability but rather an opportunity for learning and growth. This mindset encourages them to adopt new problem-solving approaches, seek assistance when needed, and value feedback – all essential for personal, academic, and lifelong development. Rather than simply stating “You are so smart,” we commend creativity and effort, for example, “You found an excellent way to solve that problem.” I believe that we all have hidden potential that we are yet to discover. Although we may not all learn how to speak Korean, or find the speed to run a marathon in 2.44hours, as we approach the bank holiday weekend, let’s give ourselves (and the children) a pre-emptive past on the back, for all the successes to come as a result of determination and hard work and a positive ‘can-do’ mindset.
All the best for the weekend.
Mr Anstey
It’s been another busy week at Broomfield! Our annual Summer Serenade performances showcased the incredible musical talents of our pupils. Kindergarten children enjoyed the hands-on experiences at Holly Lodge, including log rolling, pond dipping, and exploring the life cycle of butterflies. Our Bikeability workshops equipped children with essential road safety awareness and cycling skills. Plus, we made the most of the beautiful weather, spending plenty of time outdoors. #prepschoolrichmond #prepschooloutdoorlearning #prepschoolsummerterm #prepschoollife
It’s been another busy week at Broomfield! Our annual Summer Serenade performances showcased the incredible musical talents of our pupils. Kindergarten children enjoyed the hands-on experiences at Holly Lodge, including log rolling, pond dipping, and exploring the life cycle of butterflies. Our Bikeability workshops equipped children with essential road safety awareness and cycling skills. Plus, we made the most of the beautiful weather, spending plenty of time outdoors. #prepschoolrichmond #prepschooloutdoorlearning #prepschoolsummerterm #prepschoollife ...
This week we enjoyed a fantastic showcase of musical talent at Broomfield. The Summer Serenade performances allowed our children to shine on stage after hours of practice and perseverance. The children have worked really hard all year and this week was a testament to their achievements.
This week we enjoyed a fantastic showcase of musical talent at Broomfield. The Summer Serenade performances allowed our children to shine on stage after hours of practice and perseverance. The children have worked really hard all year and this week was a testament to their achievements. ...
On Thursday 25th April, one of our Year 4 children had the honour of giving a reading at the Cenotaph in London. Anzac Day marks the Gallipoli landings in 1915, as well as commemorating all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in military operations.
On Thursday 25th April, one of our Year 4 children had the honour of giving a reading at the Cenotaph in London. Anzac Day marks the Gallipoli landings in 1915, as well as commemorating all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in military operations. ...
Warmer weather is finally on its way! This week the children enjoyed outdoor play in the sunshine ☀️
Warmer weather is finally on its way! This week the children enjoyed outdoor play in the sunshine ☀️ ...
We are excited to invite local families to our new stay and play sessions. Our lovely Early Years team will prepare a range of indoor and outdoor activities including arts and crafts, mud kitchen, sand play and a reading corner. The sessions are for children aged 18 months - 3 years old. There is no charge for these sessions but spaces are limited. All welcome! Please book a place via the link in our Instagram bio or send an email to admissions@broomfieldhouse.com. We look forward to welcoming you for a fun session at Broomfield House School! #stayandplay #toddlerstayandplay #earlyyearseducation #nurseryrichmond #nurserysurrey #stayandplaysurrey
We are excited to invite local families to our new stay and play sessions. Our lovely Early Years team will prepare a range of indoor and outdoor activities including arts and crafts, mud kitchen, sand play and a reading corner. The sessions are for children aged 18 months - 3 years old. There is no charge for these sessions but spaces are limited. All welcome! Please book a place via the link in our Instagram bio or send an email to admissions@broomfieldhouse.com. We look forward to welcoming you for a fun session at Broomfield House School! #stayandplay #toddlerstayandplay #earlyyearseducation #nurseryrichmond #nurserysurrey #stayandplaysurrey ...
We offer parents transparency and open advice throughout the 11+ process which uses a deep understanding of every child, along with a highly effective data system that allows us to give personalised recommendations to each family.
We are particularly proud that our children have been awarded an amazing total of 14 scholarships to senior schools this year. Well done Year 6!
We offer parents transparency and open advice throughout the 11+ process which uses a deep understanding of every child, along with a highly effective data system that allows us to give personalised recommendations to each family.
We are particularly proud that our children have been awarded an amazing total of 14 scholarships to senior schools this year. Well done Year 6! ...
It’s art week at Broomfield House School! Every child contributed to a mosaic with one clay element. We are excited to see the finished mosaic on display soon 🙌
It’s art week at Broomfield House School! Every child contributed to a mosaic with one clay element. We are excited to see the finished mosaic on display soon 🙌 ...
This year, once again, we are delighted to be celebrating a fabulous array of results, with a plethora of senior school offers and an impressive number of scholarships. Our absolute priority is to find the right school for each child, ensuring that they continue to thrive in their senior school destination in an environment most suited to their individual profile.
Mr Anstey, Headmaster writes: “This year’s 11+ results are among the strongest I have witnessed during my tenure at the school. It is a testament to the hard work of our children and staff, with every child having a choice of prestigious schools to attend. Some families opted to bypass the 11+ process entirely, taking advantage of the exclusive offer of a priority entrance place at a Dukes senior school. This priority slot into a Dukes Education Group senior school underscores our commitment: once you are part of our family, we are dedicated to taking care of you, supporting each child’s preferred educational pathway, whether through the 11+ or otherwise. I believe this to be a unique model, offering the all-through model while also fiercely remaining a full preparatory school supporting applications to the whole range of excellent schools in London.”
This year, once again, we are delighted to be celebrating a fabulous array of results, with a plethora of senior school offers and an impressive number of scholarships. Our absolute priority is to find the right school for each child, ensuring that they continue to thrive in their senior school destination in an environment most suited to their individual profile.
Mr Anstey, Headmaster writes: “This year’s 11+ results are among the strongest I have witnessed during my tenure at the school. It is a testament to the hard work of our children and staff, with every child having a choice of prestigious schools to attend. Some families opted to bypass the 11+ process entirely, taking advantage of the exclusive offer of a priority entrance place at a Dukes senior school. This priority slot into a Dukes Education Group senior school underscores our commitment: once you are part of our family, we are dedicated to taking care of you, supporting each child’s preferred educational pathway, whether through the 11+ or otherwise. I believe this to be a unique model, offering the all-through model while also fiercely remaining a full preparatory school supporting applications to the whole range of excellent schools in London.” ...
We had an amazing first week back at Broomfield!
We had an amazing first week back at Broomfield! ...
Today we celebrate National Early Years Teacher Day by acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our early years team.
#nationalearlyyearsteacherday2024 #dukeseducation #prepeducation #prepschoolsurrey #prepschoollife
Today we celebrate National Early Years Teacher Day by acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our early years team.
#nationalearlyyearsteacherday2024 #dukeseducation #prepeducation #prepschoolsurrey #prepschoollife ...
Celebrating our recent sports accomplishments! 🙌 Well done to our pupils for securing 3rd place in both the Dukes Netball and Football tournaments!
#prepschoolsports #dukestournament #dukeseducation #prepschoollife
Celebrating our recent sports accomplishments! 🙌 Well done to our pupils for securing 3rd place in both the Dukes Netball and Football tournaments!
#prepschoolsports #dukestournament #dukeseducation #prepschoollife ...
Did you know that we plant one tree for every new pupil who joins us? We deeply care about the environment and the future of the planet for our children. Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint is of utmost importance to us!
#prepschoolinlondon #sustainability #treesforlife #plantingtrees #environmentalawareness♻️
Did you know that we plant one tree for every new pupil who joins us? We deeply care about the environment and the future of the planet for our children. Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint is of utmost importance to us!
#prepschoolinlondon #sustainability #treesforlife #plantingtrees #environmentalawareness♻️ ...