Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the South East Asia WalkThrus Annual Conference with Matt Stone, and it proved to be one of the most inspiring professional learning experiences I have had recently. The conference theme, Making Everyone Think, set the tone for a day grounded in the science of learning and practical classroom application.

The morning sessions focused on how we can design learning that truly makes children think hard. We explored ideas around human cognition, schema development, and mental models, and examined the crucial difference between simply knowing something and being able to apply it. These discussions challenged us to reflect on how our classroom practices either support or limit deep thinking.

In the afternoon, attention shifted to the role of leaders in creating the conditions for teachers to think hard as well. We looked closely at the power of short feedback loops and how they can accelerate improvement for both pupils and staff. We also examined how to plan effective CPL sessions that are rooted in evidence from cognitive science rather than habit or tradition.

Overall, it was a rich, thought-provoking day that left me with practical strategies and renewed enthusiasm for improving teaching and learning across our school.