Our 4 GEMS are about promoting a mindset and attitude to work that we want all of our pupils to develop. It is about children having a really strong work ethic – helping them to achieve as highly as possible in their education and also giving them attributes that they can use throughout their lives and in lots of different areas.

THE 4 GEMS:

• Grit: putting in the hours, sticking at it when the going gets tough, showing the determination and tenacity to see something through.
• Effective: knowing how to learn, using resources, asking questions, using feedback, understanding your own strengths and weaknesses, being able to ask for help when needed, adopting different learning strategies.
• Motivated: having ambition, taking on challenges, having goals and aspirations, having high expectations for yourself.
• Switched-on: being ready to learn, listening, not fussing or getting distracted, knowing what you’re supposed to be doing, being focused and alert, being able to follow instructions.

THE 4 GEMS CAN BE PROMOTED THROUGH:

• Believing It – talk about the benefits of it and let the children know you think it’s important
• Modelling It – role-model it yourself and share your own experiences with children
• Naming It – be explicit and use the shared vocabulary: Grit, Effective, Motivated and Switched-On.
• Finding It - look for it in every aspect o f our lives, and when we see in then recognise it
• Integrating It - make it a central part of what we're doing, and treat developing the 4 GEMS as a purpose, not a byproduct
• Encouraging It - praise it and give out rewards for it (for the 4 GEMS, not for what they produce)
• Tracking It - monitor the learning mindsets of our children, know where they're coming from and where we want them to get to next