From fear of being wrong to excitement about working things out: a shift in mindset among Prep pupils

“It’s been genuinely inspiring to see pupils embrace the idea that learning isn’t about getting everything right the first time. That shift from a fear of being wrong to excitement about working things out has been one of the most powerful changes I’ve seen this year,” said Mr Stephen Ashby, Head of KS2, Maths Lead and Teacher of Year 5. 

For teachers, one of the most rewarding aspects of their role is witnessing this kind of progress, not just in academic attainment, but in pupils’ mindset and confidence as learners.

“We’d been working through a series of problem-solving mathematics lessons, and I noticed a genuine shift in how the class was responding to mistakes. Instead of groans or heads-down embarrassment when something went wrong, there was a real buzz of curiosity. Pupils were actually eager to figure out and articulate where they’d gone off track.

Mr Ashby expressed his delight to see the rise in pupil consistency. From regular reading habits to reliably completing home learning, pupils developed a steady, dependable work ethic that’s now part of their identity as learners. 

“It’s not about perfection or always getting top marks. It’s about showing up, trying their best, and building those positive habits over time. I’ve seen pupils who might’ve struggled with motivation at the start of the year grow into learners who take real pride in doing things well every time, not just when someone’s watching,” he said.