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To help you implement an evidence-informed approach, join us throughout the 2025/26 academic year and learn from our amazing line-up of Cognitive Science Network experts.
May

The Four Pillars of Leadership

14 May 2026 - 4pm BST with  Edward Watson

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, effective leadership is more crucial than ever. From fostering effective communication to cultivating a positive team culture, this talk will cover a wide range of topics that empower educators to lead with confidence and purpose. 

June

Creativity: Is It Taught or Caught?

25 June 2026 - 4pm BST with Dr Claire Badger

It is all too easy for our students to decide that creativity is something they either do, or do not, have. This session will dispel myths surrounding creativity and explore the research which suggests that far from being an innate talent, creativity is a skill that can be developed in all students and across all subjects.

Previous masterclasses   

April 2026

The Homework Conundrum: How to Make Homework Work

with Dr Jo Castelino
22 April 2026
In this session, we explore how to get homework right so it becomes a powerful tool for long-term learning, not an afterthought. We unpack common pitfalls and show how effective homework is a seamless continuation of great classroom teaching.
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March 2026

Leading Curriculum Development: Challenges and Opportunities to Transform Pupil Outcomes

with Amarbeer Singh Gill & Nick Pointer
05 March 2026
This session looks at effective explanations, modelling and practice through the lens of Cognitive Science. We discuss how to ensure new content enters our students' working memories without overloading it as well as how to consider Cognitive Load Theory and schema formation.
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January 2026

Checking for Understanding

with David Goodwin
22 January 2026
Checking for understanding is one of the most important aspects of Teaching & Learning as it provides the basis for all future decisions about what and how to teach. In this session, David will combine research findings with practical tips to weave into your practice. We will cover Cold-Calling, mini whiteboards, Wait-Times and more.
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December 2025

What Does Cognitive Science Mean for Explanations, Modelling and Practice?

with Jade Pearce
11 December 2025
This session will look at effective explanations, modelling and practice through the lens of Cognitive Science. We will discuss how to ensure new content enters our students' working memories without overloading it as well as how to consider Cognitive Load Theory and schema formation.
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November 2025

Making Learning Meaningful

with Sarah Cottinghatt
20 November 2025
Not all learning is created equal. In this session we focus on how to kickstart meaningful learning and ensure your students process new ideas. Since everyone forms at least a slightly different meaning from what we teach, we’ll also look at how to check for the meaning our students make.
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October 2025

AI in Education: Opportunities and Threats

with Bradley Busch
16 October 2025
Explore the good, the bad and the ugly of AI in education, and develop strategies to use it. Bradley will delve into the latest research and practical applications of AI in education; focusing on opportunities to maximise and traps to avoid.
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September 2025

Power Up Your Pedagogy

with Bruce Robertson
25 September 2025
What does research tell us about what makes high-quality pedagogy, and how can teachers apply key messages in their lessons to become 'pedagogy experts'? With a focus on practical take-aways, this session will explore both of these questions.
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For CSN masterclasses from previous years, you can find them in the Deep Dive section.

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