To guarantee a successful education conference without the tears, get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat www.independentthinking.com

12 Days of Christmas 🎄 Additional Treat: Joy in the Moment (don’t say we don’t spoil you!) With his new book Joy in the Classroom out later this year, Hywel Roberts shares how teachers can cultivate joy—and why it’s essential to learning. Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/jo...

✨ Day 12 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 5th January - get your brain back in gear with All the Thursday Thunks, by Ian Gilbert. A perfect way to start the year with curiosity and reflection (and a bit of brain ache!). Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/al...

✨ Day 11 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 4th January - it’s not too late for a New Year’s resolution! 33 Ways to Build Better Relationships offers practical tips to strengthen connections, by Associate Mark Finnis. Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/33...

Very sad news. Juliet was such an inspiration. #RIP @creativestar.bsky.social

✨ Day 10 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 3rd January - as thoughts turn to roles, responsibilities or promotion, Keep Calm and Confront Your Imposter Syndrome offers reassurance and reflection, by our Associate Patrick Cozier. Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/co...

✨ Day 9 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 2nd January - as minds start turning to the new term (I know, sorry to remind you!), How to Plan an Inspirational INSET Day offers practical ideas and inspiration, by Ian Gilbert & Dave Harris. Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/ho...

✨ Day 8 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 1st January - a new year and some big thinking. Five Big Questions explores what the rise of AI in 2026 may mean for us as educators and humans, by Ian Gilbert. Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/fi...

✨ Day 7 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 31st December - as the year turns, a thoughtful read on hope. Motivation is a Four-Letter Word invites reflection on what really drives us, by Ian Gilbert. 🎄✨ Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/ho...

An inspiration to many, she will be missed but what a legacy she leaves us all.

Incredibly sad. Her on Out of Doors this year made me weep. ❤️ Such a brilliant life.

✨ Day 6 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 30th December - in the calm between celebrations, take time to wonder. Six Quick Things on Curiosity offers gentle prompts to spark curiosity, by our wonderful Dave Harris. 🎄✨ Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/si...

RIP Juliet Robertson www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/ju...

✨ Day 5 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 29th December - a quieter moment in the festive season. Loss reminds us that some children (and adults) may be suffering, and why compassion matters, by Ian Gilbert. 🎄🤍 Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/lo...

✨ Day 4 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 28th December - because education is too important to be taken seriously. A joyful reminder of the power of laughter at school and at home, by Ian Gilbert. 🎄😄 Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/la...

✨ Day 3 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ 27th December - the slow, quiet days. Take some time for yourself with Six Quick Things: Wellbeing (Part I) written by our Associate, Nina Jackson. Gentle reminders for the festive pause. 🤍🎄 Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/si...

✨ Day 2 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ Boxing Day - when the common man (and woman) finally gets a day off. A perfect moment for Fanfare Please - a thoughtful read for the festive pause written by our Founder, Ian Gilbert. 🎺🎄 Read here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/fa...

✨ Day 1 of our 12 Blogs of Christmas ✨ For that in-between festive time when no one knows what day it is - a gentle read on The Three Types of Peaceworker by Associate Roy Leighton. A moment of peace for the pause. 🎄🤍 Here's the blog: www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/pe...

For education speakers who can also show you how it's done in the classroom, get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat www.independentthinking.com

New: Ofsted’s apparent failings on Mossbourne inspection appear part of a pattern educationuncovered.co.uk/news/ofsteds...

You'll be more than satisfied with our education speakers - or you pay nothing. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat www.independentthinking.com

Whether it's a keynote or a full day's INSET, no-one sleeps on our watch. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat www.independentthinking.com

As they say, if you have to ‘give something back’, maybe you took too much in the first place? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

For speakers who stay in your head long after conference has ended, get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat www.independentthinking.com

Last-minute speaker cancellation? CPD fallen through? We can support schools and settings with short-notice speakers, INSET and CPD, delivered with compassion, credibility and care. If you need help right now, give us a bell on +44 1267 211432 and the wonderful Dave Harris will be there to help!

I do everything in my lawful power to annoy Tesla owners because like many I don't like Elon Musk. Refuse to give way, park close to their car, drive slower than the speed limit if they're behind me, take longer at the pump if they're queuing, etc. Petty, but I don't care.

If We Stop Owning Our Words A guest blog on reclaiming our language in a time of AI - and the costs if we don't. By Rory File, Head of Education and Partnerships for educational digital resources company ILT Education. www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/ai...

We don't just change education practice, we change minds too. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat www.independentthinking.com

The Loss Champion An approach to supporting children through bereavement and loss that is making a huge difference. From the archive for #NationalGriefAwarenessWeek2025. www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/th...

See what we did there? If we don't deliver, you don't pay. End of. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat about your education training and CPD needs www.independentthinking.com

A Conversation About Supporting Children with Loss and Bereavement From the archives for #NationalGriefAwarenessWeek2025 www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/a-... @winstonswish.bsky.social

True that! Ready for CPD that actually makes people think and feel? Talk to us: [email protected]

Found out yesterday that the Thunks on Death I put together with @winstonswish.bsky.social to help people talk about bereavement have been accepted as part of a research project Great way to start National Grief Awareness Week www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/th... #NGAW25 #bereavement

To mark December 1st, here is the live feed from Santa's Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. They have snow today, unlike down here in Helsinki! santaclausvillage.info/live-video-w... #Christmas #Santa #Finland #Lapland

Looking for someone to chair your education conference? It's not a chair until you have an Independent Thinking Associate in it. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation chat www.independentthinking.com

#SquarePegs by Ellie Costello, Fran Morgan and @itlworldwide.bsky.social is now available in our #SEND bundle. 📘 These 6 books put the most marginalised and vulnerable students at the heart of inclusive teaching. Save big on these bestselling titles at: buff.ly/MxXK3q5

Friday already? Hywel at Kent Association of Leaders in Education conference , Ian at Park High - different rooms…same goal: practical, purposeful support for educators, proving there’s always another way. Happy Friday, all!

Teaching’s tough. Finding good CPD shouldn’t be. Let’s talk. Drop us a line: [email protected]

Even after the mansion tax is applied, the owner of a £5m home in Westminster will pay proportionately less in property tax than the owner of a £210k Band B property in Sunderland.

If this got you thinking, imagine what a whole day with us could do. Get in touch:[email protected]!

AT LAST! This is moving! 2nd most popular petition atm. Should reach 10,000 signatures today. petition.parliament.uk/petitions/74...

WARNING: Attending Mark Finnis’s sessions may cause jaw-dropping insights, unstoppable inspiration, and the sudden urge to share Restorative Practice everywhere! There’s always another way - discover our inspiring CPD & INSET speakers here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/speakers/

Ginny Bootman - helping SENDCOs plan smarter, run sharper meetings, and build genuine connections in their schools. There’s always another way - discover our inspiring CPD & INSET speakers here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/speakers/

Curious? We thought you might be. Come explore what we can do for your school, drop us a line at [email protected]!

Nina the Ninja, who moves in mysterious ways, sneaks into your school, sparks wellbeing, inspires staff, and disappears before you know it. May cause sudden bursts of motivation! There’s always another way - discover our inspiring CPD & INSET speakers here: www.independentthinking.co.uk/speakers/

True story! If your brain just went ‘ooh’, that’s your sign to reach out. Drop us a line at [email protected]!

A Bit Less Alien" - The Ask Me: Education Manifesto Our Ian Gilbert attended the launch of an important new campaign from bereavement charity @winstonswish.bsky.social New on the blog www.independentthinking.co.uk/resources/as...

Was a privilege to be invited by @winstonswish.bsky.social to the launch of the new Ask Me: Education campaign and manifesto today in Central London. Find out more and commit to making that difference here: winstonswish.org/askme/

At a rugby club in small-town Leicestershire. This was on the window ledge in the toilet. Fearing the worst, I scanned the QR & opened it in an incognito window… It’s a link to Amnesty International’s explainer on asylum & refugees 😍

A new chapter begins… We’re partnering with Routledge to bring Independent Thinking books to an even wider audience! New editions and exciting new titles are on the way. #Education #Books #Routledge #IndependentThinking #ITLPress