Personal Learning & Thinking Skills (PLTS)
What are PLTS?
There are six groups of skills:
independent enquirers
creative thinkers
reflective learners
team workers
self-managers
effective participants
For each group of skills, a statement sums up the range of skills and qualities involved. This is accompanied by a set of outcomes that describe the relevant skills, behaviours and personal qualities.
Independent enquirers
Students process and evaluate information in their investigations, planning what to do and how to go about it. They take informed and well-reasoned decisions, recognising that others have different beliefs and attitudes.
Students:
identify questions to answer and problems to resolve
plan and carry out research, appreciating the consequences of decisions
explore issues, events or problems from different perspectives
analyse and evaluate information, judging its relevance and value
consider the influence of circumstances, beliefs and feelings on decisions and events
support conclusions, using reasoned arguments and evidence.
Creative thinkers
Students think creatively by generating and exploring ideas, making original connections. They try different ways to tackle a problem, working with others to find imaginative solutions and outcomes that are of value.
Students:
generate ideas and explore possibilities
ask questions to extend their thinking
connect their own and others’ ideas and experiences in inventive ways
question their own and others’ assumptions
try out alternatives or new solutions and follow ideas through
adapt ideas as circumstances change.
Reflective learners
Students evaluate their strengths and limitations, setting themselves realistic goals with criteria for success. They monitor their own performance and progress, inviting feedback from others and making changes to further their learning.
Students:
assess themselves and others, identifying opportunities and achievements
set goals with success criteria for their development and work
review progress, acting on the outcomes
invite feedback and deal positively with praise, setbacks and criticism
evaluate experiences and learning to inform future progress
communicate their learning in relevant ways for different audiences.
Team workers
Students work confidently with others, adapting to different contexts and taking responsibility for their own part. They listen to and take account of different views. They form collaborative relationships, resolving issues to reach agreed outcomes.
Students:
collaborate with others to work towards common goals
reach agreements, managing discussions to achieve results
adapt behaviour to suit different roles and situations, including leadership roles
show fairness and consideration to others
take responsibility, showing confidence in themselves and their contribution
provide constructive support and feedback to others.
Self-managers
Students organise themselves, showing personal responsibility, initiative, creativity and enterprise with a commitment to learning and self-improvement. They actively embrace change, responding positively to new priorities, coping with challenges and looking for opportunities.
Students:
seek out challenges or new responsibilities and show flexibility when priorities change
work towards goals, showing initiative, commitment and perseverance
organise time and resources, prioritising actions
anticipate, take and manage risks
deal with competing pressures, including personal and work-related demands
respond positively to change, seeking advice and support when needed
manage their emotions, and build and maintain relationships.
Effective participators
Students actively engage with issues that affect them and those around them. They play a full part in the life of their school, college, workplace or wider community by taking responsible action to bring improvements for others as well as themselves.
Students:
discuss issues of concern, seeking resolution where needed
present a persuasive case for action
propose practical ways forward, breaking these down into manageable steps
identify improvements that would benefit others as well as themselves
try to influence others, negotiating and balancing diverse views to reach workable solutions
act as an advocate for views and beliefs that may differ from their own.