Free Thinking

What Six Quick Things should all schools know about the Black experience of education in order to improve diversity and inclusion? Here are some important and practical starting points from Associate Rhia Mutombo. 

Five-minute read

What Six Quick Things do schools need to know about getting equity, diversity and inclusion right in education? Here is what we found during a recent conference with our Associates Rhia Mutombo and Ian Timbrell

Five-minute read

Nina Jackson is our guru for all things emotional health and well-being. Here for our new Six Quick Things series, she shares six more helpful tips for busy teachers and leaders everywhere.

Seven-minute read

ELSA, child bereavement specialist and inveterate hugger Lucy Lynch shares her thoughts and experience on the topic of hugging children in school. Why? When? How? And when not to?

Five-minute read

Nina Jackson is our guru for all things emotional health and well-being. Here for our new Six Quick Things series, she shares the first six of twelve helpful tips for busy teachers and leaders everywhere.

Seven-minute read

We asked Associate, author and experienced teacher and teacher trainer Martin Illingworth for his advice for teachers just setting out on their careers. This is what he had to say.

Five-minute read

Grieving is disconcerting and confusing. Here is our list of what's allowed for children and young people everywhere.

Seven-minute read

We asked five of our Associates for advice for teachers stepping into their own Primary classroom for the first time. This is what they had to say.

90-minute watch

We asked five of our Associates for advice for teachers stepping into their own Secondary classroom for the first time. This is what they had to say.

90-minute watch

For our new Six Quick Things series we asked Dave Harris to suggest how schools can tap into the amazing power of curiosity for learning.

Seven-minute read

1980 – 2024

A tribute.

How was it for you? At the end of an INSET day, conference or any CPD event, here are 31 questions we feel are worth asking.

Five-minute read

Perhaps were looking at things all wrong, muses our Ian Gilbert in this short think piece for schools everywhere. Perhaps.

Two-minute read

We wanted Juliet Robertson to be part of our 30th birthday Big Day Out so Ian Gilbert popped in for a chat on his way to Sheffield.

Ten-minute watch

For our 30th birthday Big Day Out we thought we would open the day by getting our delegates thinking about schools and schooling, how, what and why. See what you think.

Five-minute read

For nearly two years, we've been putting out a Thursday Thunk every week to mess with people's heads over their cornflakes. Here is the full list of 79 Thunks so far.

Ten-minute read

If you're running to keep up with all things AI in education, these suggestions from Associate and ICT Evangelist Mark Anderson might help. Just keep running!

Ten-minute read

If you will be welcoming a limb-different child to your class in the new academic year then you will no doubt have a few questions and concerns. Fortunately, our friends at the amazing LimboFoundation have put together two free leaflets to help.

Five-minute read

A manifesto - personal or organisational - is your chance to outline your values, beliefs and non-negotiables. Here is one we put together earlier to sum up Independent Thinking after 30 years. What's yours?

Seven-minute read

In 2010 our Ian Gilbert wrote Why Do I Need A Teacher When I've Got Google? Do today's announcements about ChatGPT-4o change the answer to that important question?

Ten-minute read and watch

A lot has gone on in the world since we set up shop thirty years ago. See what you can remember!

Five-minute read

What's the point and purpose of education? It's a big question and our Ian Gilbert thinks he has finally nailed the answer. See if you agree.

Two-minute read

Wondering how to help yourself feel that little bit better when you're having one of those days? Try a little Mind Medicine in 21 easy-to-swallow pieces, courtesy of Associate Nina Jackson.

Two-minute read

We've been unsure about the 'what works' agenda since the start, arguing that education needs research but also something more nuanced. Here is an update to our piece from a decade ago with a lesson we can learn from medicine. 

Five-minute read

New Associate Dr Sarah Moseley explores what we can learn from Universal Design for Learning when it comes to bringing the best out of all learners in an EYFS setting.

Seven-minute read

What if every school had a Loss Champion? Not to mention a Bereavement Policy? Read a guest blog from a school-based Loss Champion about her important work and the network she leads. And download their policy for you to adapt too.

Seven-minute read

Find out from experienced teacher and author Mark Creasy how to boil marking down to two little words - 'I agree!'

Ten-minute read

How do you tap into curiosity and wonder in the classroom? We asked Dave Harris along with Dr Matthew McFall, the UK's very first school-based Agent of Wonder.

A one-hour watch

Here are 33 ways we can set about building better relationships in schools to make everything better, according to Associate and Restorative Practice guru Mark Finnis.

Four-minute read

Ian Gilbert revisits a blog from 2017 where an article about 'Design Feeling' inspired him to think about its warning for classrooms at a time when the 'This is what teaching must look like' agenda was gathering pace. Seven years on, now what...?

Seven-minute read

In the second of his contributions about getting assessment right, Associate and author Jonathan Lear describes how he helps children get to grips with source analysis.

Ten-minute read

We used to encourage teachers to think of their classrooms as laboratories in which you could experiment with what worked to make it work even better. But what if we think of teachers not as scientists but as inventors? Ian Gilbert explores with the help of James Lovelock.

Seven-minute read

In the current educational landscape, we need courageous head teachers like never before. Here is Associate and the author of Brave Heads, Dave Harris, with his take on school leadership.

Six-minute watch

An important blog by Associate Rhia Gibbs, founder of Black Teachers Connect, on the importance of genuine representation and diversity in our schools in the age of #BlackLivesMatter.

Five-minute read

What can we learn from a school where the teachers don't teach and the students can learn what, how, when and if they want to learn? We can hear parts of Twitter exploding from here! Ian Gilbert tells us more.

Ten-minute read

A conversation about how better to support children and young people experiencing bereavement drawing from our book Independent Thinking on Loss.

A one-hour watch

Twenty years ago, Ian Gilbert was asked to write an article for SHA (now ASCL) and this is what he came up with? Which makes us ask, as we revisit it, what has changed?

Ten-minute read

Here are ten provocative questions Ian Gilbert has drawn from his best-selling book, The Working Class, that can form part of any school's discussion when it comes to 'closing that gap.

Five-minute read

Associate Roy Leighton continues sharing insights from his work with the Cambridge University Peace Education Research Group into making schools happier, more peaceful places.

Ten-minute read

Long-time Associate Will Ryan explores how it is that some of the best primary practice can be found in schools in some of our most challenging socio-economic areas - and what we can learn from them.

Seven-minute read

Associate and author of Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice, Mark Finnis, shares a simple tool that helps teachers ensure they are working in a positive, supportive and productive way with their students - emphasis on the word 'with'.

Five-minute read

Associate, author and primary teacher Mark Creasy shares how he used Thunks as a vital tool to keep children engaged and learning during lockdown.

Ten-minute read

Highlights from an online conversation with EYFS guru Ruth Swailes on helping schools ensure the best possible start for all their children.

Ten-minute watch

It's a world of fake news, deep fake technology and, well, politicians. To help young people navigate such a world, he's our quick and easy guide to critical thinking.

Associate Roy Leighton shares insights from his work with the Cambridge University Peace Education Research Group into making schools happier, more peaceful places.

Ten-minute read

So what's this Restorative Practice all about? Here are highlights from a webinar with Associate Mark Finnis, author of the best-selling book Independent Thinking on Restorative Practice.

Ten-minute watch

We asked Jonathan Lear and Mark Creasy how to create resilient, independent learners in our primary classrooms. This is what they suggested.

50-minute watch

What 8Way thinking is, where it came from and how it can be used to make even the most dismal-appearing of subject matters fascinating.

Ten-minute read

What should all teachers know about the brain, neurological development and the neuroscience of learning? Or Ian Gilbert asked former consultant paediatric neurologist Dr Andrew Xurran. Fascinating stuff!

60-minute watch

A guest blog from Rachel Tomlinson, the inspirational headteacher of Barrowford Primary School in Lancashire - a school without sanctions or rewards.

Five-minute read

We were asked where we would start when it came to building a brand-new school from scratch? Here are Ian Gilbert's 32 surprising suggestions.

Seven-minute read

Based on experience, not to mention first-hand observation, we put together what we consider to be the first nineteen lesson any new school head will learn - and learn quickly. What have we missed?

Four-minute read

Exams are in chaos - but where did they come from? This brief history may help us answer an even bigger question - why on earth do we still have them? 

Five-minute read

Written during the Covid pandemic, here is founder Ian Gilbert with his take on understanding bereavement and loss from the child's point of view.

Five-minute read

Isn't it time we paid the men and who women who empty our bins more than bankers? So suggests controversial Dutch historian Rutger Bregman in this short BBC video. We throw in a rousing version of Fanfare for the Common Man too.

Ten-minute watch and read

This is the recording of when Nina Jackson wowed the audience with her closing address on emotional health and well-being for schools at the 2019 SSAT conference in Birmingham.

30-minute watch

Associate, author of The Monkey Proof Box and innovative primary teacher Jonathan Lear explains how his school came to terms with effective and inclusive assessment across the whole curriculum.

Ten-minute read

We asked ChatGPT about the ten mistakes to avoid when planning an INSET day for schools - and the ten tips to make it a success. Here is what the AI had to say.

Five-minute read

Want some quick-fire CPD answering some of the most pressing questions in education today - then check out our famous CPD Jukebox!

29 three- to five-minute videos

How do we help students find balance and calm, especially in the build up to the exam season. Associate Crista Hazell shares some practical ideas and insights that can work for all of us.

Seven-minute read

Being dyslexic teaches you a lot about how to learn creatively, how to deal with others and about yourself. In 2014, Ian Gilbert's then teenage daughter Olivia shared the reasons why she loved her dyslexia. Ten years on, the list still holds true.

Four-minute read (give or take)

Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert was asked to write the foreword for Ginny Bootman's wonderful new book, Independent Thinking on Being a SENDCO. You can read his inspiring and surprising foreword here.

Headteacher Dave McPartlin is good friend to Independent Thinking. After opening up publicly about the toll Ofsted placed on his emotional health, other heads got in touch to share their stories. A guest blog.

Fifteen-minute read

Associate Martin Illingworth brought his contribution to The Working Class book to life with a short video that asks teachers to look carefully at the hopes, aspirations, desires and talents of all children in their care.

Nine-minute watch

Join Ian Gilbert as he battles with the distinction between thinking and learning and whether getting children's brains to hurt is what the education system is actually about.

Ten-minute read

Independent Thinking Associate David Hodgson continues his brief exploration of neurodiversity, identifying four skills that will benefit all students

Ten-minute read

We love the book You Can Change the World so we worked with author Margaret Rooke to put together a short video schools can use to inspire their young people to make a difference.

Ten-minute watch

Senior English lecturer and long-time Independent Thinking Associate Martin Illingworth offers some suggestions to help bring alive the teaching of poetry in our schools.

Five-minute read

Let's change the language around neurodiversity away from the deficit, medical model - so argues Associate David Hodgson in part one of his blog on this important topic. 

Ten-minute read

Rather than reaching for your device every time you have a question why not first stop and think for yourself? Discover the power of the Google Pause, inspired by our very own Dr Matthew McFall.

Three-minute read

How can I motivate a reluctant child to learn a language? We asked Associate, author and MFL specialist Crista Hazell and this is what she had to say.

Five-minute watch

Dave Harris recalls the privilege of working with the late Professor John West-Burnham and his huge impact on schools across the country.

Discover the power of curiosity and wonder as you take a stroll down this Sheffield primary school's amazing Corridor of Curiosities with Associate Jonathan Lear as your guide

Seven-minute read

Here are 34 questions from Ian Gilbert to get you thinking about schools, schooling, what it's all about and whether we are doing it in the best possible way? Thinking caps on...

Five-minute read

Want some quick-fire CPD answering some of the most pressing questions in education today - then check out our new CPD Jukebox!

29 three- to five-minute videos

Nina Jackson shares more ideas from the pandemic on (re)building a school community that focuses on belonging, connection and well-being. Part one of a two-part blog.

Five-minute read

Travelling teacher and Independent Thinking Associate Hywel Roberts on the secret of moving from engagement to investment in teaching and learning

Associate and Evangelist for all things ICT, Mark Anderson, shares his tips and ideas for helping schools get their digital strategy spot on.

Seven-minute read

Nina Jackson shares her ideas from the pandemic on (re)building a school community that focuses on belonging, connection and well-being. Part one of a two-part blog.

Associate and Restorative Practice guru Mark Finnis recently asked people on social media for education-related words beginning with C. This is the impressive list that came back.

Two-minute Read

How we are developing a 'visual education' in our children and young people? How are we helping them learn how to process the countless images they encounter every day? And how do we teach them to see for themselves. Granny with a Camera, Jane Hewitt explores.

Ten-minute read

A short selection of ideas and resources for teachers and parents to help with talking to children about war in Ukraine and, sadly, so many other parts of the world.

Three-minute read

Ten years ago, Ian Gilbert was living in Hong King during the Umbrella Revolution. Here are the 17 questions and images he put together from then to encourage all to think about the nature of protest, dissent, liberty and education.

Ten-minute read

A blog to celebrate Careers Week from new Associate Andrew 'Bernie' Bernard for teachers and school leaders about careers planning and the myth of equality.

Four-minute read

If you want to improve the quality of the thinking in your classroom, then first improve the quality of the questioning. Here are 34 questions starters that can help. We hope Paulo Freire would approve.

Five-minute read

Our Man with the Thunks, Ian Gilbert was asked by a school to come up with some of these tricky little questions to get staff thinking about the point and purpose of what they do. Here is what he came up with to get them thinking.

Five-minute read

Fancy shaking things up a bit when it comes to those weekly spelling tests? Here are 32 ideas with the help of Associate and innovative primary practitioner Mark Creasy.

Five-minute read

As a leader, how can I manage my own well-being as well as the well-being of my staff? We asked Independent Thinking Associate and our go-to well-being guru Nina Jackson, and this is what she had to say.

Four-minute watch

How can I get my class to think for themselves? We asked Independent Thinking founder and award-winning writer Ian Gilbert what he thought and here are his three suggestions.

Five-minute watch

A child just swore at me in front of the class - what should I do now? We asked Associate and behaviour expert and author Adele Bates and this is what she suggested for our CPD Jukebox.

Four-minute watch

How do I get children about bothered about their learning? We asked Mr Botheredness, Hywel Roberts, and this is what he had to say.

Four-minute watch

From the man who brought you Brave Heads, here is Dave Harris' view on what he calls Brave Governance with 13 pointers to help governors get the best from their head and their school.

Five-minute read

Associate Andrew 'Bernie' Andrews relives his narrow escape with testicular cancer with lessons for what all males - teens upwards - should be doing. Think of it a heads up on what could be down there.

Five-minute read (and a thirty-second check)

If you think you have the next great education bestseller inside your brain just bursting to come out, then check out our ten tips for writing a great education book. But beware - it's a difficult market out there and there is a lot of competition.

Four-minute read

What happened when Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert was asked to talk about entrepreneurship, creativity and Thunks to an audience that included the King of Spain? Find out here.

One-hour+ watch

Having once described charity as 'icing a rotten cake', Independent Thinking founder Ian Gilbert suggests we look beyond the bake sale with the help of one simple three-letter word.

Five-minute read

When it comes to teaching languages in the UK, it's always useful to have secret weapon. Here Associate and author of Independent Thinking on MFL, Crista Hazell shares hers.

Seven-minute read

We asked our long-time Associate and resident paediatric neurologist Dr Andrew Curran to come and talk to us about the brain and learning. Here are some key takeaways that will be of interest to all those working with young people.

Five-minute read

What did we learn from the pandemic about the fragility of the current education system in the face of what young people really feel they need. Forget School author Martin Illingworth explores.

Five-minute read

Here is Ian Gilbert with some strong words for the country during the pandemic when we were asked to clap for the NHS staff... but what about the teachers?

One-minute read

What lies ahead for teaching and learning? We put forward these seven quotes in 2018 and the future's a lot closer now than it was then. What is the future looking like for your style of pedagogy?

Ten-minute watch and read

Employers are often heard haranguing the education system for not doing its bit to produce 21st century-ready employees. They could change things, however, with one simple interview question. So suggests Ian Gilbert.

Three-minute read

One of the events that led us The Working Class, was this contribution to one of our 'Thinking Saturdays' by Chris Kilkenny. It was all about his life growing up in poverty and being invisible to his school. It changed our perspective on so much - like it will yours.

Ten-minute read