Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning refers to a set of cognitive skills that help children manage their thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve goals.

These skills include planning, organisation, time management, working memory, self-regulation, flexible thinking, and problem-solving.

Why is it important?

In education, strong executive functioning skills are essential because they enable students to stay focused, follow instructions, complete tasks, adapt to challenges, and become independent learners. By developing these abilities, children are better equipped to succeed academically and build lifelong learning habits.

Mindsparks

This is the second year of our journey with executive functioning. We were intrigued into the possibilities of Executive Functioning from learning about its impact at Rathferne School when at an Education4Change conference. We then started to engage with Mindsparks for staff CPD and curriculum development.

At Mindsparks, fostering executive functioning is a key part of supporting student growth, helping learners strengthen the skills they need to navigate school demands, build confidence, and reach their full potential.

Our Executive Functioning Journey

February 2024 - E4C Conference focusing on Executive Functioning

May 2024 - Mindparks Twilight INSET for Teachers

June 2024 - Mindsparks Twilight INSET for Teachers

June 2024 - Curriculum development of EF within PSHCE Curriculum Maps for September 2024

September 2024 - Whole School INSET day led by Mindsparks

April 2025 - Peer Review with Star Primary and St White’s Primary on EF progress.

May 2025 - 1 Teacher accredited as a Mindsparks EF Coach

June 2025 - Further curriculum Development of EF within PSHCE Curriculum Maps for and construction of EF school based characters

September 2025 - Launch of EF characters with staff and children

September 2025 - Curriculum Evening focus on EF with parents

September 2025 - Hosted an IQM cluster day focusing on EFs and our IQM action plan 2025-26 Designed around EF development

October 2025 - 4 members of the Senior Leadership Team accredited as Mindsparks EF coaches

November 2025 - PASS assessment analysis CPD sessions for teachers and support staff linked with EF structure

December 2025 - Parent Workshop on Executive Functioning and PASS Assessments

June 2026 - Member of SLT presented a spotlight presentation on the EF journey at St Helen’s

Our EF Characters

In order to raise the profile of different EFs (beyond the curriculum) we designed and launched our characters. As a Catholic School we linked our EFs to characters that the children were already familiar with through CAFOD resources for Catholic Social Teaching. We assigned characters EF specialisms, and strategies to support them with their EF focus.

Meet our Characters

We bring executive functioning to life through a unique cast of characters, each representing a key EF skill. By personifying these important traits, children can more easily recognise, understand, and develop the habits that support learning, resilience, and independence. Our EF characters provide a fun, engaging, and memorable way for students to build the foundational skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond.