Nathan Burns

Very helpful Graham, thank you!

Nothing from people so far, seems to be a real limit of resources!

It was a pleasure, as ever, to work with ECTs at Bolton School this morning, launching their final ever ISTIP conference, with next steps in developing their modelling, questioning and feedback.

It was especially heartening to see all of the lovely feedback too! Thank you!

And what happens is 5% of students aren’t doing as asked - even if so simple as to put a pen down when requested? This number grows to 10%. Then it grows to 20%. And before we know it, significant numbers of students are not doing what we require.

What we allow, we condone. In the classroom, that means that the 5% of behaviours that we don’t want to have, but don’t challenge, address and correct, are condoned behaviours.

I see this in a lot of lessons. Almost all students are doing as requested. But not quite all.

95% compliance isn’t good enough. We need to have 100%, all of the time.

Maths Functional Skill L1 and L2 teachers 🚨

What are your favourite resources for getting students exam ready? Any specific booklets you like using, or question packs?

Drop a comment below 👇

Is the DfE finally sitting up and paying attention to the importance of developing metacognition?

There are only two mentions in the white paper, but these are significant indicators as where we are (hopefully) heading.

Anyone at the DfE who wants to chat about this further?

This half term, we opened a shop...

Most of you are aware that outside of education, our family run a small confetti wedding business, that was started by my wonderful son a couple of years back!

Not quite the peaceful holiday I anticipated, but certainly a memorable one!

Book here:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/refining-r...

Perfect for teachers, leaders, and anyone serious about improving learning.

This practical day will explore:
• How to make revision stick
• Building independence and metacognition
• Evidence-informed strategies that actually work in classrooms
• Tools you can use the very next day

🎟 Half-price tickets available until Sunday 22nd February 2026

New training day launched: Refining Revision

If we want better outcomes, we need better revision — not just more of it.

Metacognition Toolkit: Ace Your Learning – with Nathan Burns [PODCAST] Join Nathan Burns, aka Mr Metacognition, for a crash course in metacognitive tools that help students improve their learning and exam grades.

👂NEW LISTEN👂

Needing your next podcast fix?

Why not take a listen to the newly released Metacognition Toolkit: Ace Your Learning podcast that I did with Exam Study Expert.

Great for educators and learners!

Take a listen and let us know your thoughts! examstudyexpert.com/nathan-burns/

If you, or colleagues, are interested in this event, but school budgets are an issue, PLEASE still reach out to us so we can see what we can do!

Budget should NEVER be a barrier to teachers getting the PD they want for them, and need for their students!

I'm unsure - it detracts, rather than adds, to the book, though

Very very odd - and yes, brand new!

Well, @theeef.bsky.social it's funny you should ask... 😅

Has anyone ever had a book like this before?

Pages glued together, cut outs glued in and bizarre zig zag pages...

Had to jump on this trend too...

All things metacognition, a warm jumper and two coffees.

Feel's about right!

admin@mrmetacognition.com

The day is going to be jammed full of approaches, frameworks, ideas and experiences, which will support all educators and leaders, across all phases, with developing these crucial areas.

We have space left (just) for our event, so drop us an email now if you want to know more!

STOP! What are you doing on Thursday 5th March?

Unless your answer is that you're heading to Stoke-on-Trent to join Saskia and myself for our PD day on challenge, resilience, independence and culture, then it's the wrong answer!

I know as well, for a time, there was money for developing Mandarin teaching in school, but I’m unsure where that has got to.

So what are different contexts doing to boost languages in schools? I’d love to hear from people across contexts!

It’s got me interested in finding out what some schools are doing to battle this. In one school I worked in, I introduced language workshops as an extra-curricular, delivered by staff from the local university - but the sessions were limited in number and the initial buzz drifted away.

Whenever I go away, I always reflect on English knowledge abroad, and our generally, limited ability to speak a foreign language in the UK.

If you want to come along (multi-teacher and school discounts available), then please message me or email admin@mrmetacognition.com

It's a huge area of work, but one so crucial to improve student outcomes - grades and otherwise.

That's why on March 5th, Saskia and myself are running a full-day of training on how to develop these skills in our learners, as well as building a culture of challenge to support it.

How do you establish a culture of challenge in your setting?

So, if you’ve read Inspiring Deep Learning, Teaching Hacks or Tutor Time, then please drop a comment below, and, if you’ve some extra time, please do consider leaving a review on Amazon. Honestly, it makes the world of difference!

www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Natha...

Have you read one of my books?
The reason I ask this isn’t for an ego boost, but to hear your thoughts on any of the books I’ve written! There is nothing more precious than feedback, and reviews, for a ‘small time’ author!