Nathan Burns
@mrmetacognition.bsky.social
Metacognitive trainer, author and researcher | Writer for TES, OUP, Sec Ed, Schools Week, HWRK and more | Former Head of Maths, Pastoral Lead, More Able Coordinator | All things education, T&L and research! | DMs open for Q's and bookings!
*NEW* Parental Guide to Metacognition
I've created a 6 page guide, specifically for parents/carers, all around the importance of metacognition, alongside almost a dozen approaches that can be incorporated at home (with examples).
Please do share and tag - free to use (please just credit my work).
I've created a 6 page guide, specifically for parents/carers, all around the importance of metacognition, alongside almost a dozen approaches that can be incorporated at home (with examples).
Please do share and tag - free to use (please just credit my work).
www.mrmetacognition.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:28 PM
*NEW* Parental Guide to Metacognition
I've created a 6 page guide, specifically for parents/carers, all around the importance of metacognition, alongside almost a dozen approaches that can be incorporated at home (with examples).
Please do share and tag - free to use (please just credit my work).
I've created a 6 page guide, specifically for parents/carers, all around the importance of metacognition, alongside almost a dozen approaches that can be incorporated at home (with examples).
Please do share and tag - free to use (please just credit my work).
Leading a TF session this morning around coherency (evidence below that I took things quite far on breaking down linear equations...) and then an afternoon with the North Lincs SCITT - covering self reg, metac, modelling and supporting SEN students. Amazing feedback already in from trainees!
November 17, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Leading a TF session this morning around coherency (evidence below that I took things quite far on breaking down linear equations...) and then an afternoon with the North Lincs SCITT - covering self reg, metac, modelling and supporting SEN students. Amazing feedback already in from trainees!
Friday: Delivering keynotes and 5 workshops to 170 trainees at the University of Bedford.
Sunday: Replying to loads of emails from these trainees, sharing ideas, asking for further readings and wanting to dig into metacognition even more!
Absolutely brilliant 👏
Sunday: Replying to loads of emails from these trainees, sharing ideas, asking for further readings and wanting to dig into metacognition even more!
Absolutely brilliant 👏
November 16, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Friday: Delivering keynotes and 5 workshops to 170 trainees at the University of Bedford.
Sunday: Replying to loads of emails from these trainees, sharing ideas, asking for further readings and wanting to dig into metacognition even more!
Absolutely brilliant 👏
Sunday: Replying to loads of emails from these trainees, sharing ideas, asking for further readings and wanting to dig into metacognition even more!
Absolutely brilliant 👏
'Ello 'Ello... there's an updated EEF report on metacognition!
So perhaps I'm a little more excited than most people about this (and it absolutely will be my bedtime reading tomorrow...) but if you want to check it out, then head here:
d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/e...
So perhaps I'm a little more excited than most people about this (and it absolutely will be my bedtime reading tomorrow...) but if you want to check it out, then head here:
d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/e...
d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net
November 13, 2025 at 7:47 PM
'Ello 'Ello... there's an updated EEF report on metacognition!
So perhaps I'm a little more excited than most people about this (and it absolutely will be my bedtime reading tomorrow...) but if you want to check it out, then head here:
d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/e...
So perhaps I'm a little more excited than most people about this (and it absolutely will be my bedtime reading tomorrow...) but if you want to check it out, then head here:
d2tic4wvo1iusb.cloudfront.net/production/e...
There are many, many joys of being an independent teacher educator.
Spending a Thursday morning chasing up 6 overdue invoices (varying from 2 weeks to 6 weeks overdue) is certainly not one of them!
Why can't invoices just be paid on time?!
Spending a Thursday morning chasing up 6 overdue invoices (varying from 2 weeks to 6 weeks overdue) is certainly not one of them!
Why can't invoices just be paid on time?!
November 13, 2025 at 12:07 PM
There are many, many joys of being an independent teacher educator.
Spending a Thursday morning chasing up 6 overdue invoices (varying from 2 weeks to 6 weeks overdue) is certainly not one of them!
Why can't invoices just be paid on time?!
Spending a Thursday morning chasing up 6 overdue invoices (varying from 2 weeks to 6 weeks overdue) is certainly not one of them!
Why can't invoices just be paid on time?!
Reposted by Nathan Burns
😍 We love this quote from a participant in our Supporting Students to Achieve a L2 Qualification in Maths Work Group last year. Join @mrmetacognition.bsky.social who is running our Work Group again this year and sign up today! bbomathshub.org.uk/project/supp...
November 13, 2025 at 8:15 AM
😍 We love this quote from a participant in our Supporting Students to Achieve a L2 Qualification in Maths Work Group last year. Join @mrmetacognition.bsky.social who is running our Work Group again this year and sign up today! bbomathshub.org.uk/project/supp...
It's getting closer and closer...
Developing a Metacogntive Curriculum!
Coming to every good bookshop (and Amazon) very very soon!
Developing a Metacogntive Curriculum!
Coming to every good bookshop (and Amazon) very very soon!
November 9, 2025 at 2:10 PM
It's getting closer and closer...
Developing a Metacogntive Curriculum!
Coming to every good bookshop (and Amazon) very very soon!
Developing a Metacogntive Curriculum!
Coming to every good bookshop (and Amazon) very very soon!
Having spent my Friday night googling and asking Chat GPT how to fix my washing machine, that actually, 'knowing stuff' is quite helpful and maybe being taught stuff is a rather novel, but important thing to do?
November 7, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Having spent my Friday night googling and asking Chat GPT how to fix my washing machine, that actually, 'knowing stuff' is quite helpful and maybe being taught stuff is a rather novel, but important thing to do?
I'm fortunate to do a huge amount of training and facilitation work, but one thing I've been doing recently has been a whole new ballgame...
Leading an Alpha course!
It's been a brilliant last couple of months (with a few weeks still to come), but one of the best experiences ever!
Leading an Alpha course!
It's been a brilliant last couple of months (with a few weeks still to come), but one of the best experiences ever!
November 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I'm fortunate to do a huge amount of training and facilitation work, but one thing I've been doing recently has been a whole new ballgame...
Leading an Alpha course!
It's been a brilliant last couple of months (with a few weeks still to come), but one of the best experiences ever!
Leading an Alpha course!
It's been a brilliant last couple of months (with a few weeks still to come), but one of the best experiences ever!
The end of a tiring, but superb day in Northern Ireland!
A 2.53am start (ouch), but an energising day at St Dominic's in Belfast, where I spoke for a couple of hours on oracy (leaning on Voice 21 UK of course) and metacognition. These really are 'two birds one stone' approaches, making it a...
A 2.53am start (ouch), but an energising day at St Dominic's in Belfast, where I spoke for a couple of hours on oracy (leaning on Voice 21 UK of course) and metacognition. These really are 'two birds one stone' approaches, making it a...
November 3, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The end of a tiring, but superb day in Northern Ireland!
A 2.53am start (ouch), but an energising day at St Dominic's in Belfast, where I spoke for a couple of hours on oracy (leaning on Voice 21 UK of course) and metacognition. These really are 'two birds one stone' approaches, making it a...
A 2.53am start (ouch), but an energising day at St Dominic's in Belfast, where I spoke for a couple of hours on oracy (leaning on Voice 21 UK of course) and metacognition. These really are 'two birds one stone' approaches, making it a...
I'm delighted to be running the BBO Maths Hub WG on L2 Qualifications again this year!
Jammed full of insight on curric, Maths anxiety, lesson design, language and more, with a brilliant opportunity to network, this fully funded opportunity is not to be missed!
bbomathshub.org.uk/project/supp...
Jammed full of insight on curric, Maths anxiety, lesson design, language and more, with a brilliant opportunity to network, this fully funded opportunity is not to be missed!
bbomathshub.org.uk/project/supp...
Supporting Students to Achieve a L2 Qualification in Maths - BBO Maths Hub
bbomathshub.org.uk
November 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I'm delighted to be running the BBO Maths Hub WG on L2 Qualifications again this year!
Jammed full of insight on curric, Maths anxiety, lesson design, language and more, with a brilliant opportunity to network, this fully funded opportunity is not to be missed!
bbomathshub.org.uk/project/supp...
Jammed full of insight on curric, Maths anxiety, lesson design, language and more, with a brilliant opportunity to network, this fully funded opportunity is not to be missed!
bbomathshub.org.uk/project/supp...
A 3am start this morning to head over to Northern Ireland for a day of oracy and metacognition PD, as well as exploring metacognitive approaches in Mathematics.
A full day, and plenty of coffee will be needed ☕
A full day, and plenty of coffee will be needed ☕
November 3, 2025 at 5:50 AM
A 3am start this morning to head over to Northern Ireland for a day of oracy and metacognition PD, as well as exploring metacognitive approaches in Mathematics.
A full day, and plenty of coffee will be needed ☕
A full day, and plenty of coffee will be needed ☕
Last week I had the joy of working with dozens of headteachers and leaders, from numerous schools across a brilliant Trust, for a whole day of metacognitive training.
To kick off the holidays with this feedback is just amazing! Absolutely buzzing!! 😁😁
To kick off the holidays with this feedback is just amazing! Absolutely buzzing!! 😁😁
October 26, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Last week I had the joy of working with dozens of headteachers and leaders, from numerous schools across a brilliant Trust, for a whole day of metacognitive training.
To kick off the holidays with this feedback is just amazing! Absolutely buzzing!! 😁😁
To kick off the holidays with this feedback is just amazing! Absolutely buzzing!! 😁😁
This afternoon I had the pleasure of delivering an online webinar, exploring metacognition in the Early Years, as well as when supporting EAL students.
Our recent house move has gone well, but my desk hasn't yet arrived, so a temporary solution was found (made?)!
Our recent house move has gone well, but my desk hasn't yet arrived, so a temporary solution was found (made?)!
October 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
This afternoon I had the pleasure of delivering an online webinar, exploring metacognition in the Early Years, as well as when supporting EAL students.
Our recent house move has gone well, but my desk hasn't yet arrived, so a temporary solution was found (made?)!
Our recent house move has gone well, but my desk hasn't yet arrived, so a temporary solution was found (made?)!
An exciting night as I get to go through the final drafts for book number 4, exploring how we can embed metacognition in the curriculum!
A sneaky peak here on why knowing strategies isn't always the most important thing for a teacher ⬇️⬇️⬇️
A sneaky peak here on why knowing strategies isn't always the most important thing for a teacher ⬇️⬇️⬇️
October 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
An exciting night as I get to go through the final drafts for book number 4, exploring how we can embed metacognition in the curriculum!
A sneaky peak here on why knowing strategies isn't always the most important thing for a teacher ⬇️⬇️⬇️
A sneaky peak here on why knowing strategies isn't always the most important thing for a teacher ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Those are some significantly sized flats they're building...
One way to sort the housing crisis! 😅
One way to sort the housing crisis! 😅
October 21, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Those are some significantly sized flats they're building...
One way to sort the housing crisis! 😅
One way to sort the housing crisis! 😅
Last week I had the opportunity to lead PD for Bishop Perowne college exploring how to make feedback more effective and improve teacher modelling.
I'm still delighted at the feedback I got through this morning!
> Valuable session
> Feedback overwhelmingly positive
> Practical, humorous, engaging
I'm still delighted at the feedback I got through this morning!
> Valuable session
> Feedback overwhelmingly positive
> Practical, humorous, engaging
October 13, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Last week I had the opportunity to lead PD for Bishop Perowne college exploring how to make feedback more effective and improve teacher modelling.
I'm still delighted at the feedback I got through this morning!
> Valuable session
> Feedback overwhelmingly positive
> Practical, humorous, engaging
I'm still delighted at the feedback I got through this morning!
> Valuable session
> Feedback overwhelmingly positive
> Practical, humorous, engaging
I don't think it is controversial to argue that we ought to spend more time thinking about tone and volume.
How we say things to students is just as, or arguably more important, in many situations, than what we say.
But after ITT, how much time is given to considering how we speak to students?
How we say things to students is just as, or arguably more important, in many situations, than what we say.
But after ITT, how much time is given to considering how we speak to students?
October 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
I don't think it is controversial to argue that we ought to spend more time thinking about tone and volume.
How we say things to students is just as, or arguably more important, in many situations, than what we say.
But after ITT, how much time is given to considering how we speak to students?
How we say things to students is just as, or arguably more important, in many situations, than what we say.
But after ITT, how much time is given to considering how we speak to students?
In an ideal world, I'd argue that all secondary teachers should spend at least one week per year in a primary setting.
Are there any schools or Trusts out there who get close to this?
Does anyone have a strong argument against it?
Are there any schools or Trusts out there who get close to this?
Does anyone have a strong argument against it?
October 6, 2025 at 6:25 PM
In an ideal world, I'd argue that all secondary teachers should spend at least one week per year in a primary setting.
Are there any schools or Trusts out there who get close to this?
Does anyone have a strong argument against it?
Are there any schools or Trusts out there who get close to this?
Does anyone have a strong argument against it?
For those reviewing behaviour data, please remember that members of staff who give lots of behaviour points/consequences aren't necessarily bad at behaviour management, and those who give very few, brilliant at behaviour management.
Watch lessons. Speak to staff. Don't just judge using the data!
Watch lessons. Speak to staff. Don't just judge using the data!
October 3, 2025 at 8:04 AM
For those reviewing behaviour data, please remember that members of staff who give lots of behaviour points/consequences aren't necessarily bad at behaviour management, and those who give very few, brilliant at behaviour management.
Watch lessons. Speak to staff. Don't just judge using the data!
Watch lessons. Speak to staff. Don't just judge using the data!
I'm worried the next big education 'fad' may be whole-school coaching.
It is an extremely powerful method of staff PD, yet it isn't suitable for all contexts (as is true of most things in edu).
Yet it seems to be being shoe-horned into a range of contexts, and unsurprisingly, falling flat in some.
It is an extremely powerful method of staff PD, yet it isn't suitable for all contexts (as is true of most things in edu).
Yet it seems to be being shoe-horned into a range of contexts, and unsurprisingly, falling flat in some.
October 2, 2025 at 8:18 PM
I'm worried the next big education 'fad' may be whole-school coaching.
It is an extremely powerful method of staff PD, yet it isn't suitable for all contexts (as is true of most things in edu).
Yet it seems to be being shoe-horned into a range of contexts, and unsurprisingly, falling flat in some.
It is an extremely powerful method of staff PD, yet it isn't suitable for all contexts (as is true of most things in edu).
Yet it seems to be being shoe-horned into a range of contexts, and unsurprisingly, falling flat in some.
A fantastic day working with ISTIP today at Trent College, ensuring that all trainees have a strong understanding of metacognition and associated classroom strategies.
We talked cups of tea, driving, and how to stuff a pepper... Simple things, but yet oh so metacognitive!
We talked cups of tea, driving, and how to stuff a pepper... Simple things, but yet oh so metacognitive!
October 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
A fantastic day working with ISTIP today at Trent College, ensuring that all trainees have a strong understanding of metacognition and associated classroom strategies.
We talked cups of tea, driving, and how to stuff a pepper... Simple things, but yet oh so metacognitive!
We talked cups of tea, driving, and how to stuff a pepper... Simple things, but yet oh so metacognitive!
After a rough week with the flu, it was nice to get back to the classroom today.
Exploring order of operations with this cracker of a challenge with one of my resit groups today!
Hopefully my voice will hold, and the brain un-fog, unlike last week!
Exploring order of operations with this cracker of a challenge with one of my resit groups today!
Hopefully my voice will hold, and the brain un-fog, unlike last week!
September 30, 2025 at 8:01 PM
After a rough week with the flu, it was nice to get back to the classroom today.
Exploring order of operations with this cracker of a challenge with one of my resit groups today!
Hopefully my voice will hold, and the brain un-fog, unlike last week!
Exploring order of operations with this cracker of a challenge with one of my resit groups today!
Hopefully my voice will hold, and the brain un-fog, unlike last week!
Mr... Confetti?
On Sunday, I did my first ever wedding show! Completely different to anything I've ever done before, and though there are a good few transferable skills from education it was still a learning curve!
The only other thing to say is that our biodegradable confetti rocks 🎊
On Sunday, I did my first ever wedding show! Completely different to anything I've ever done before, and though there are a good few transferable skills from education it was still a learning curve!
The only other thing to say is that our biodegradable confetti rocks 🎊
September 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Mr... Confetti?
On Sunday, I did my first ever wedding show! Completely different to anything I've ever done before, and though there are a good few transferable skills from education it was still a learning curve!
The only other thing to say is that our biodegradable confetti rocks 🎊
On Sunday, I did my first ever wedding show! Completely different to anything I've ever done before, and though there are a good few transferable skills from education it was still a learning curve!
The only other thing to say is that our biodegradable confetti rocks 🎊
Today I took a new and exciting step in my education journey, joining an incredible set of schools as a trustee!
Delighted to be able to support Arise Education, to share my insights around PD, governance, finances, and hopefully so much more!
You'll never find a set of schools more like a family!
Delighted to be able to support Arise Education, to share my insights around PD, governance, finances, and hopefully so much more!
You'll never find a set of schools more like a family!
September 22, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Today I took a new and exciting step in my education journey, joining an incredible set of schools as a trustee!
Delighted to be able to support Arise Education, to share my insights around PD, governance, finances, and hopefully so much more!
You'll never find a set of schools more like a family!
Delighted to be able to support Arise Education, to share my insights around PD, governance, finances, and hopefully so much more!
You'll never find a set of schools more like a family!