James Nottingham

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James Nottingham is regarded by many as one of the most engaging and thought-provoking presenters in the world of education. He brings rare clarity and insight to research evidence; a breadth and depth of exemplar that connects with the reality of teaching and leading; and a sense of story and humour that makes learning stick. 

With more than 30 years working in schools, he has an extensive background as both a teacher and a leader. Beginning as a teaching assistant in a special school, he then taught in primary schools, was a teaching & learning lead in a high school, a deputy head in a middle school, and director of an award-winning, multi-million-pound social regeneration project. The impact of this initiative made headlines for all the right reasons – supported by independent evaluations by Sunderland and Newcastle universities – leading to invitations to share his inspiration and practical advice far and wide. So, in 2006, James set up a not-for-profit company, Challenging Learning, growing this to seven companies in seven countries with 30 full-time staff – all supporting schools, colleges and local apprenticeship providers. 

When the covid pandemic hit, James returned to full-time teaching and now balances teaching with his in-school consultancy and leadership support. He is also a sought-after keynote speaker, headlining national and international conferences for teachers and leaders. 

Highlights of his career include 30+ conferences with Carol Dweck (Growth Mindset); being awarded the exclusive licence to deliver Visible Learning in the Nordic Countries from 2013-2020 alongside John Hattie; designing and leading the implementation of the Challenging Learning Process, a within-school approach to raising standards shown by independent evaluators (Universities of Oslo, Uppsala, Helsinki and Melbourne Graduate School of Education) to be the best value-for-money approach to significantly improving student achievement (increasing by an average of one grade per student). Oh, and he also created the Learning Pit, one of the most popular illustrations of learning to emerge in the last 20 years, with more than 200 million references online and in academic and teaching journals.

He is the author of 12 books, many of them bestsellers in multiple languages, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and is listed in the ‘Future 500’, a “definitive list of the UK’s most forward-thinking and brightest innovators”. 

Options for Engaging with James

The services that James offers exclusively through The Learning Line include:

Keynotes – for teachers’ and leaders’ conferences 

“More than 30 years in teaching and I thought there was nothing left to learn – until now. Bring on the new school year – I can’t wait! I’m going to be such a better teacher after this.” (feedback about the keynote given by James at the Visible Learning World Conference)

Keynotes by James Nottingham are consistently rated as excellent and as the highlight of conferences. He is engaging, thought-provoking, light-hearted, optimistic and practical. He connects with audiences through his strength of credibility and real-life examples chosen carefully to resonate with the phase of education and context represented by the delegates. He has recently keynoted the IB World Conference (International Baccalaureate); the Finnish National Agency for Education annual conference; Skolriksdag (representing every superintendent and headteacher in Sweden); the BETT conference; and the PLC At Work conference – one of the biggest events in North America with 5000+ delegates. 

In-Service Days – all staff 

James keeps staff engaged all day, weaving rigorous research, clear explanations, practical strategies, encouragement and humour into a clear design tailored to the context. So, whether you have early years, primary or secondary staff; leaders, teachers or support staff – or all of the above – James will create some excellent professional learning around your objectives and plans for improvement. As Professor Mick Waters, former director of curriculum at QCA, remarked: “James Nottingham has the skills of explaining the complex in a way which is accessible and inviting. He is challenging yet encouraging. The examples of how it could be and the insights into what success looks like will leave staff wanting to do things differently without a bag of guilt to weigh them down.”

Events for Leaders

After a successful career in middle and senior leadership, James assumed he would be in headteacher positions until retirement – that was until he was invited by 22 schools on the English-Scottish border to create a project to raise the achievement and aspirations of their pupils. The impact of this scheme was so significant that funding was secured to run the same initiative in 250 schools across the region, all led by James. From there, he created a not-for-profit company to share the best of these strategies internationally, growing this to seven companies in seven countries with 30 full-time staff and hundreds of associates. Since then, James has supported leaders all over the world – from teaching heads of small schools to superintendents in large, urban settings with tens of thousands of students in their districts. 

His keynotes at leaders’ conferences are exceptionally well-received, and the leadership retreats he has designed and led in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavia gained such a reputation that bookings are now made years ahead. Although he is not the right person to offer insights into the latest political pivot or regulations about budgeting and safeguarding, what he does do brilliantly is help middle and senior leaders clarify their purpose and guiding principles; offer fascinating insights into educational leadership in 20+ countries; and give everyone the encouragement and safety to put their heads above the parapet to create a clearer vision for their next steps. 

In-School Consultancy

James walks the talk – often leading demonstration lessons for staff to observe (or record) and to reflect upon afterwards. He also offers presentations to parents, coaching for staff and leaders, and support with evidence collection and analysis. He has a long-established and highly regarded reputation as a ‘teacher’s teacher’, recognised for his inviting, engaging and evidence-driven presentation style – and is therefore a welcome guest in any educational setting, be it early years, primary, secondary, alternative or post-16.

Areas of Expertise

The insights that James offers are broad, but they are not indiscriminate: you will find no bandwagons in his work. Every theme of his work is united by three core principles: a) Is the supporting research trustworthy, relevant and robust? b) Does it respect the learner agency of staff and students? c) Are improvements likely to be meaningful without necessitating extravagant efforts or investments? In essence, will his recommendations deliver substantial value for the resources invested, especially given your unique context, the constraints of curriculum and staff availability, and the resources you have available? 

To date, James has written 12 books. Two of these are for parents; the other 10 focus on pedagogical practices that all teachers – of all year groups – can use to improve the learning outcomes. His emphasis lies not in subject-specific knowledge but in teaching methods that are most likely to help all learners (aged 3-19) make significant progress. Broadly speaking, the topics that he is most commonly asked to design from include:

· Agency, efficacy and growth mindset

· Challenge that is relevant and robust

· Engaging all learners

· Feedback that is used effectively by students

· High expectations

· Leading learning

· Learning how to learn

· Philosophy for Children

· Progress and achievement

· Questioning that makes learning stick 

· Surface to deep, to transfer of learning

· The Learning Pit

“James Nottingham has deep knowledge of schooling and a great sense of humour, but most importantly there is seeming no challenge he is not prepared to undertake to make a difference to the learning lives of children.” (Professor John Hattie)

“James Nottingham will help you navigate the world of educational concepts and research with a wonderful blend of clarity and good humour.” (Professor Carol Dweck)

“James Nottingham has developed a rare skill for blending arresting anecdotes, hard-edged research and practical advice into a truly compelling narrative.” (Professor Barry Hymer)

“James Nottingham is one of the clearest and most engaging thought leaders on creating a culture of deep, engaging and appropriately challenging learning in schools.” (Dr Mathilda Joubert, Australian Council for Educational Leaders)

Karl C. Pupé FRSA is a qualified classroom teacher, leader, and education consultant with over 15 years' experience in the primary, secondary, and Further Education sectors. He is also the author of the award-winning books The Action Hero Teacher: Classroom Management Made Simple and The Action Hero Teacher 2: Teachers of the Lost Class, and the founder of www.actionheroteacher.com.

Specialising in Behaviour Management, he has worked as a Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) Coordinator and an Alternative Provision Lead in a mainstream school, teaching students with severe Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) difficulties. Karl has designed and facilitated rehabilitation classes for Year 7 to Year 11 students who were excluded from mainstream education and at risk of becoming NEETs. He has earned a Level 4 ILM Diploma in Leadership and Management in Further Education.

Karl has collaborated with several organisations within the education sector, including the National Education Union (NEU), TeachFirst, NowTeach, FE Week, the Chartered College of Teaching, The National College, The Royal Society of Arts, Commerce and Manufacture (The RSA), and the University of Essex.

The Action Hero Teacher Blog was ranked by the influential PR and marketing software company Vuelio as one of the 'Top 10 Education Blogs' in the United Kingdom in September 2020.

Learning Ladders, in partnership with Twinkl, awarded The Action Hero Teacher book as one of the 'Top 40 Best Books for Educators Summer 2021'.

In September 2021, Karl was awarded a Fellowship at the prestigious Royal Society of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce (The RSA) for his work on The Action Hero Teacher and his workshops on the well-being of young people.

In November 2021, Karl was elected to the Practitioners’ Council for the Foundation of Education (FED Education), an independent advisory board that aims to promote better education policies for all UK students. In November 2022, Karl was promoted to Co-Chair of the Practitioners’ Council, helping to shape the council's agenda for the 2023/24 academic year. This role has been extended to the 2024/25 academic year.

Karl released his follow-up book, The Action Hero Teacher 2: Teachers of the Lost Class, on Friday, 2nd December 2022. It became an Amazon Number 1 best-selling book in its category within the first week of release.

Specialist areas include:

• SEN/SEMH students
• Classroom management and leadership
• Teacher wellbeing
• Practical classroom psychology
• Trauma informed practice
• Alternative provision

Key stages:

• Key stage 2 - Key stage 5 

Publications:

• The Action Hero Teacher: Classroom Management Made Simple (2019)
• SEND, SEMH and Race - An Interview with Karl Pupé (2020)
• https://www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/send-semh-and-race-an-interview-with-karl-pupe
• The Action Hero Teacher 2: Teachers of the Lost Class (2022)
• Time to RISE Up: Supporting Students’ Mental Health in Schools (Neil Moggan 2024) (One chapter)

Recent Feedback

Throughout his training, Karl combined psychology theory, with effective hands-on classroom practice enabling all adults to feel better in control of situations that arise. However, more importantly, how to prevent and reduce them occurring; a reversal from fire-fighting the issue. I am proud to report our school is far more calm as a result as our pupils’ behaviour has improved greatly. Staff say ‘they can do their job more effectively’. I highly recommend Karl.

Julie Cassiano – Head Teacher, Vernon Terrace Primary School

We wanted to express our genuine thanks for the engaging, useful, and informative inset session

you conducted for our staff last week. Your expertise and delivery truly made the session a

standout experience for all of us and a great way to start the new term.

Mr Steve Butler – Headteacher, Butlers Court School

The sessions were absolutely incredible. Not only is Karl an excellent public speaker, he also has a way of engaging staff and getting the most out of them. The training gave all staff the tools to be able to be more confident when managing behaviour in the classroom and the tools to do this were clearly set out.

Fiona Robinson – Headteacher, Bensham Manor School

Nathan Burns, also known as Mr Metacognition is a renowned teacher educator, working with schools, education organisations and educators across the world to develop high-quality teaching practice. Working in a number of UK based schools, Nathan worked as a pastoral leader, More Able coordinator, metacognition lead, and lately, as a Head of Maths.

During his time in the classroom, Nathan wrote two well received books on metacognition - Inspiring Deep Learning and Teaching Hacks - exploring how the theory can be effectively applied in the classroom.

Since leaving the classroom, Nathan now leads high-quality professional development. He works with schools across the UK to deliver training on metacognition, alongside efforts with Teach First and Ambition Institute to train up the next generation of teachers.

Nathan also leads Maths specific training for organisations including the Maths Hub. You will often find Nathan presenting research at the latest teaching conference, as well as online, posting on socials as Mr Metacognition. 

Specialist areas include:

• Metacognition 
• Mathematics 

Key stages:

• EY through to adult education for metacognition
• KS2 upwards for other areas 

Publications:

Mr Metacognition is a serial author and speaker on the topic of metacognition. 

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Below, you will find a link to all of Mr Metacognition's books, articles, podcasts and conference appearances. 

https://www.mrmetacognition.com/publications-and-conferences

Recent Feedback

Dave Tushingham, Lead Practitioner: “I always learn something when I listen to Nathan or read his book."

Jayne Harmer, AHT: "His passion was infectious, clear strategies for implementation to support and guide learning for all”

Enclave Academy: “I'm a big fan of Mr Metacognition. His pedagogical insights are transferrable to 

adult education and corporate training and development programmes. You’ll want to add his book 

to your Metalibrary.”

Vicky Judge, Director of Science: “Every school should get you [Mr Metacognition] in. What you deliver is hugely valuable regardless of a schools specific priorities for the year. Love [the] content and your energy. You're a fantastic speaker!"

Clare Di Michele, STEM Coordinator: "Loved the session by Mr Metacognition. Cleared up a lot about what it [metacognition] is not!"

Clare Kelly, Curriculum Leader: “I never fully understood metacognition until yesterday [after the session], which is reflective of CPD that has not fully explained it in a way I can learn and put it into practice. Looking forward to taking it back to my department.”

Emma, is an experienced school leader, she has been Headteacher of three Primary schools, Acting Headteacher of another, and School Improvement Officer and Early Years Lead for a Primary MAT. Emma is an Early Years specialist, supporting schools to develop autonomy, independence and play for both children and staff and she is passionate about developing teams, through a trauma informed lens.

Emma works with Leaders offering EYFS and Continuous Provision consultancy, curriculum development and training support. She leads training and key notes focussed on developing autonomy, connection and creativity within the Primary Classroom and a wide range of Early Years focussed workshops. She also offers supervision and coaching for School Leaders including supervision training and implementation support. 

Emma has a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management with a Level 7 Apprenticeship with the Chartered Management Institute. She is experienced in leadership coaching and facilitating training across a range of specialisms including Early Years, Leadership and Curriculum development. 

Emma is a National College Expert creating training and blogs, and has written a publication for Subject Leaders focussed on Early Years published by Focus Education.

In her work Emma brings her values of kindness, connection, creativity and commitment along with a dose of humour and fun. 

What leaders say about working with Emma:

“The positive impact for every child in her class and for the school is clear to see. I would recommend Emma to other schools seeking school improvement support without reservation."

Richard Healey, Executive Primary Lead For The Blackdown Education Partnership (BEP)

“I’ve heard several positive statements about your sessions – thank you! [name] was full of praise for you too! How supportive and useful the session was.”

Claire Grainger, CEO, Fioretti Trust

Current Training and workshops:

● Continuous Provision, making provision and planning purposeful.

● Skills and Knowledge in the EYFS.

● Continuous provision, getting started in KS1.

● Engaging in play, and having an impact. This can be tailored to those new to EYFS teaching, or support staff.

● Fine Motor First - developing fine motor planning and practise in the EYFS and beyond.

● Developing Communication and language and stretching vocabulary in the EYFS.

● Understanding EYFS for headteachers.

● Early Years for SLT - upskilling and empowering Senior Leaders to understand EYFS.

● Effective supervision for EYFS staff - exploring structures and models to meet the statutory requirement for all EYFS staff to receive regular supervision.

● Developing a text rich provision in EYFS.

Key Notes/ workshops: 

Autonomy to thrive:

Exploring why choice matters for children, the research and practise behind autonomous practise and pedagogy.

This topic challenges the typical classroom organisation asking why we haven’t moved very far from Victorian schooling and digging into practical opportunities to bring more autonomy into our children’s daily learning opportunities. Why? Because it leads to greater engagement, belonging, connection, independence and importantly joy.

Connection is the key:

Personal experiences shape us all separately and many things connect us. But, what is connection and how can we harness its value to develop ourselves, our staff and the young people we serve?

Where’s the joy?

Exploring playfulness, joy and independence for children and adults throughout their school day. Drawing on research into child development and neuroscience to better understand the impact of independence and play.

How can we engineer, within the structures of school, maximised opportunities for children to have choice, autonomy and play in the curriculum.

Collaboration - what do people really need?

Exploring first hand action research into collaboration, this keynote shares typical expectations of collaboration with what people really need in order to use it to thrive. Bringing in research from neuroscience and behavioural theories we dig into the value and the misconceptions, and discuss how we can draw upon simple, effective strategies to enable collaboration that makes a difference, and is worth people’s time.

Great Britain’s Most Successful Olympian of all time, 7 x Olympic Champion. High Performance Expert and Coach to the GB Track Cycling Sprint Team.

Sir Jason Kenny, is Britain’s most successful Olympian of all time, with 7 gold medals and 2 silver medals to his name. 

Jasons illustrious Olympic career began when he won his first Olympic gold at Beijing in the team sprint, which was closely followed by a silver in the individual sprint. Fast forward to London 2012, and Jason would go one better, securing the double gold in the same events. Remarkably, he then went one better again in Rio in 2016, taking a clean sweep of team sprint, individual sprint and keirin titles to hold six Olympic titles.

Undeterred by the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,  Kenny returned in Tokyo, and after taking silver in the team sprint, he then produced one of the all-time great Olympic performances to claim a seventh gold in the keirin, catching the field by surprise with a searing acceleration to blaze to an unprecedented solo victory claiming his seventh and final gold medal.

After announcing his retirement in February 2022, Sir Jason announced that he would be joining British Cycling as the men’s podium sprint coach, and is now charged with supporting the next generation of track cyclists reach the same Olympic glory he experienced on so many occasions. 

Jason resides in Cheshire with his wife and fellow Olympic great Dame Laura Kenny and their two sons.