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!
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!
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...
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
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 🎊
Wondering how we can ensure that our students with SEND get the most support possible during tutor time?
Join me for an hour long, free webinar, on Monday 6th October, where I will provide insights and strategies galore!
Sign-up now: calendly.com/ordinaryclas...
Don't forget to share this event!
Join me for an hour long, free webinar, on Monday 6th October, where I will provide insights and strategies galore!
Sign-up now: calendly.com/ordinaryclas...
Don't forget to share this event!
September 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Wondering how we can ensure that our students with SEND get the most support possible during tutor time?
Join me for an hour long, free webinar, on Monday 6th October, where I will provide insights and strategies galore!
Sign-up now: calendly.com/ordinaryclas...
Don't forget to share this event!
Join me for an hour long, free webinar, on Monday 6th October, where I will provide insights and strategies galore!
Sign-up now: calendly.com/ordinaryclas...
Don't forget to share this event!
It was a pleasure to keynote this afternoon at #ttrhums in Manchester!
I explored how we can develop more effective writing, by:
- identifying the problems students have
- exploring strategies to implement
I'll be sharing my slides ASAP but for now take a look at my tweets below!
I explored how we can develop more effective writing, by:
- identifying the problems students have
- exploring strategies to implement
I'll be sharing my slides ASAP but for now take a look at my tweets below!
September 20, 2025 at 10:42 PM
It was a pleasure to keynote this afternoon at #ttrhums in Manchester!
I explored how we can develop more effective writing, by:
- identifying the problems students have
- exploring strategies to implement
I'll be sharing my slides ASAP but for now take a look at my tweets below!
I explored how we can develop more effective writing, by:
- identifying the problems students have
- exploring strategies to implement
I'll be sharing my slides ASAP but for now take a look at my tweets below!
Superb stuff!
September 20, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Superb stuff!
Academic community talks, open not just to the school community, but the local community, as learning should never, actually, stop.
I've done something similar before but never thought about the local community - and we ought to. Schools are (or should) be key hubs in the community.
I've done something similar before but never thought about the local community - and we ought to. Schools are (or should) be key hubs in the community.
September 20, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Academic community talks, open not just to the school community, but the local community, as learning should never, actually, stop.
I've done something similar before but never thought about the local community - and we ought to. Schools are (or should) be key hubs in the community.
I've done something similar before but never thought about the local community - and we ought to. Schools are (or should) be key hubs in the community.
Jess Angell now on the importance of extra-curricular opportunities.
I think that this provides a very good overview as to the importance of these activities and key benchmarks when planning them.
I think that this provides a very good overview as to the importance of these activities and key benchmarks when planning them.
September 20, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Jess Angell now on the importance of extra-curricular opportunities.
I think that this provides a very good overview as to the importance of these activities and key benchmarks when planning them.
I think that this provides a very good overview as to the importance of these activities and key benchmarks when planning them.
A superb end to the talk from Thalina, with this graphic providing a really clear summary as to the power of metacogntiom (love the dual coding)!
September 20, 2025 at 10:47 AM
A superb end to the talk from Thalina, with this graphic providing a really clear summary as to the power of metacogntiom (love the dual coding)!
Thalina Chowdhury talking above the importance of metacognition (unsurprisingly very excited about this).
First key reflection (I love)... What metacogntive levels are our learners at?
So often students are far lower down this scale than we would hope/need them to be.
First key reflection (I love)... What metacogntive levels are our learners at?
So often students are far lower down this scale than we would hope/need them to be.
September 20, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Thalina Chowdhury talking above the importance of metacognition (unsurprisingly very excited about this).
First key reflection (I love)... What metacogntive levels are our learners at?
So often students are far lower down this scale than we would hope/need them to be.
First key reflection (I love)... What metacogntive levels are our learners at?
So often students are far lower down this scale than we would hope/need them to be.
A superb example of this below 👇
September 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM
A superb example of this below 👇
Today we moved into our new digs!
Finally on the 'ladder' with a bit of a 'do-er upper', so expect to see me covered in paint and dust in the near future!
If anyone's needing a D&T teaching, I'm your guy, as I'm learning how to plaster, render and plumb by Christmas 😅
Here's to ambitious plans 🍾
Finally on the 'ladder' with a bit of a 'do-er upper', so expect to see me covered in paint and dust in the near future!
If anyone's needing a D&T teaching, I'm your guy, as I'm learning how to plaster, render and plumb by Christmas 😅
Here's to ambitious plans 🍾
September 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Today we moved into our new digs!
Finally on the 'ladder' with a bit of a 'do-er upper', so expect to see me covered in paint and dust in the near future!
If anyone's needing a D&T teaching, I'm your guy, as I'm learning how to plaster, render and plumb by Christmas 😅
Here's to ambitious plans 🍾
Finally on the 'ladder' with a bit of a 'do-er upper', so expect to see me covered in paint and dust in the near future!
If anyone's needing a D&T teaching, I'm your guy, as I'm learning how to plaster, render and plumb by Christmas 😅
Here's to ambitious plans 🍾
Meanwhile, in secondary we explored how we could improve questioning in the classroom, as well as exploring the issues with feedback and what would could do to address these challenges.
Looking forward to joining the teams virtually later on this half term to continue the great work!
Looking forward to joining the teams virtually later on this half term to continue the great work!
September 11, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Meanwhile, in secondary we explored how we could improve questioning in the classroom, as well as exploring the issues with feedback and what would could do to address these challenges.
Looking forward to joining the teams virtually later on this half term to continue the great work!
Looking forward to joining the teams virtually later on this half term to continue the great work!