Since the review by Carol McGuinness in 1998 and the explicit inclusion of thinking skills in the National Curriculum, interest in the teaching of thinking skills has burgeoned in the UK. Thinking skills approaches are emerging as a powerful means of engaging teachers and pupils in improving the quality of learning in classrooms. However, as programmes to enhance thinking have grown in popularity, differences in understanding of the nature of such 'skills' and the best way to tackle the underlying issues in the classroom have both widened and deepened.  It is difficult to get information about the range of programmes that are available, particularly from a teacher's perspective.

The aim of this website therefore is to provide information for classroom teachers working in primary schools in the UK about thinking skills programmes and approaches that are currently available. Background information to thinking skills approaches, the compilation of the database and some case studies of how schools have used the thinking skills to develop teaching and learning are included.

For each entry there is basic information detailing the format, availability, the curriculum focus about a summary of the programme and any research evidence of the impact of using it. In addition the database is searchable by age range, National Curriculum subject, and type of programme.

As well as the database the other resources section contains details of thinking skills websites resources and books.

The content for this website has been prepared for the DfES by Steve Higgins and Jennifer Miller from the University of Newcastle.