David Keeling

6’ 2” and ginger, Dave Keeling is a professional actor and has been a ‘stand-up’ educationalist (or kinaesthetic and passionate) for over 10 years working the length and breadth of the country with teachers, pupils and parents.

Stop Press: See Dave Keeling in action with a group of VIth formers, recorded live during the 2007 Big Day of Independent Thinking. Click here for details of this special DVD.

He is developing a particular niche working some of the most disaffected students around and immediately wins over even the most reluctant of audiences.

I am going to try harder and think positively. He made it funny and entertaining and helped me realise that revision can be fun.

Nobody else is going to do it for us.

He made everyone think and realise how important it is to prepare for life and that we need to get the results to get there.

There was a real ‘buzz’ the next day and generally pupils found the day not only enjoyable but useful from a revision point of view.  I think the ‘penny dropped’ for a large number.  Some of the harder to reach boys definitely showed an interest and have shown signs of change in their attitude.

His Events are high on energy and entertainment value covering in a very practical and down–to-earth way a range of areas including confidence, motivation, the brain - how it works and how amazing it is, memory skills, managing change, visionary skills, improvisation, forum theatre, revision techniques, (did I mention memory skills?) success and creativity in the classroom, not to mention a little bit of magic!!!

Click on the following buttons to see highlights of Dave Keeling live in action*:

with staff                                with students

Having trained as a professional actor at The London Academy Of Music And Dramatic Art Dave has worked extensively in theatre and television.  He also writes and performs comedy something that has taken him from Bolton to Las Vegas and then usually back to Bolton again.

It’s Dave inimitable sense of humour, enthusiasm and ability to engage with everyone that makes him an ideal choice for keynote speeches, INSET days or motivational events for young people.  Dynamic, energetic and not a bad singing voice to boot, Dave will create a unique and inspirational experience that no one will forget. Generally speaking you won’t have met anyone like Dave before. 

Dave's skills as a performer and stand up comedian also make him the perfect choice to Host/MC your conference. Injecting your day with verve and wit, Dave can provide a dynamic link between speakers and key themes whilst keeping the energy levels up all day (and night if needed!!).

Here are some comments from happy clients who have seen Dave in action:

• The best INSET I have ever attended in all life
• Truly Inspirational- a proper grown up day!

• I will never forget it- it was brilliant!

• A very thought provoking, inspirational day and such fun!
• The most inspiring experience ever. Every teacher should have to attend one of David’s sessions during their career. Thank you for such an enjoyable day!!Hugely inspirational providing mind space from the school issues to look at the bigger pictures. Good balance of interaction and things to take away
• Inspiring – what a refreshing change to go home from a conference feeling more energetic, open and focused than when I arrived!! Especially on a Friday afternoon! Every training session should be like this! It is great to have an opportunity for us to remind ourselves why we are in this profession and how to  refocus our direction!
• Fabulous, highly motivated, cannot help but be moved by this speaker
• Inspired me to make much greater effort at including fun in future lessons
• Fab, inspiring – I feel inspired to do the changes in my professional and private life – feel motivated again!
• I had expected David to be good but my expectations were exceeded many times over. The opening presentation which David gave at our Conference was perfect in terms of setting the right tone for the 2 days - very upbeat, positive, lively and engaging and full of fun too. I couldn't have asked for a better start and it certainly carried through over the 2 days.
• The students thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and left the hall buzzing with enthusiasm
• I learnt you can have fun when learning
• David Keeling was fabulous, awe-inspiring what a livewire! We need more inspirational people like him in schools

Nice 'Tweets' seen recently include:

• Very interesting evening with Dave Keeling at Manningtree High School. Great advice for students and parents. Inspirational!
• Hired David Keeling from Independent Thinking for Academy student conference, he had us ALL crying with laughter - brilliant!
• Another thought provoking performance by David Keeling(Independent Thinking) to teachers this time. Much needed upbeat Inset!

Dave also received the following via Facebook after speaking to a group of students recently. One wrote:

• The very inspiring talk today (note I didn't say "lecture") - I just thought I would take the time to say thank you for the talk today. In the past few years I have been a bit of a dick in school concerning academics but recently I have been slowly improving but after today, I think that it has inspired me to actually put effort in and has given me a different, yet much better, outlook on education and how much potential anyone has! which can be me. Also, Top marks on the humourous and comical performance, loved it.

And such glowing praise is also extended by the parents who have seen him during his 'How to help your child be motivated to learn' parent evenings:

• I was expecting to be hearing about how to keep my daughter on track as she goes into her exams last night at the presentation. My GOD! I came out feeling Energised, Motivated and very Focused
• If Hannah takes in half what she hears today from David, it will be a successful use of her time
• I would like to thank the school for putting this presentation on and investing in my daughter's future
• Just as you predicted, a parent begging you to bring David Keeling back. My daughter and I were both buzzing with enthusiasm and thoroughly enjoyed the evening
• I would love for my husband and my son to experience one of his talks
• I feel that we are very lucky that the school invests in both students and parents like this

So, why not book Dave for an Event with your staff, students, parents or governors (Dave delivers Events for early years, primary, secondary and further education).

People who benefited from Dave have also enjoyed Jim Roberson.

Books written by Dave Keeling:

• Big Book of Independent Thinking (contributor)
• Rocket Up Your Class
• Invisible Teaching
• The Little Book of Laughter for the Classroom and Staffroom

Podcasts from Dave Keeling:

• Hear Dave live in action with VIth formers on motivation, life skills and what they don't tell you about pigs... 

For more information contact Dave through the Independent Thinking office on 0844 589 0490 or email us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk

So, remember, whether you're a student, a teacher, a conference delegate or even a parent, the future’s bright, the future’s orange!!

Dave's CRB number is 001236493485 issued 18th May 2009.

(*If you experience difficulties downloading this clip then please e-mail us at admin@independentthinking.co.uk or call us on 0844 589 0490 and we'll try and help)

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