CPD. Keynotes. Books. Heart.

Inspiring educators since 1994 - online, in print and in real life.

If it's your job to find the very best speakers for an INSET day, a conference, an online CPD programme or even a student or parent workshop, then get in touch for a free chat.

We help you save time and money putting together an unforgettable event - and make you look good in the process.

We've been inspiring educators in schools and colleges across the world for 30 years to help education do its job of 'making things better'.

Always with children and young people at the heart of our work.

Always with our satisfaction guarantee.

Always knowing there is another way.

Get in Touch

Nice things our clients are saying about us

"Brilliant, funny, thought provoking – so helpful at this stage of my headship in terms of getting to what really matters"

"I also wanted to thank you so much for facilitating this project. You made it super easy for me"

"Superb presentation – great ideas for approaches to school improvement and what really matters"

Thank you so much for your brilliantly original and so relevant session yesterday at our Conference. The feedback has been terrific. It is a real pleasure working with you

"We feel very complimented that you provided speakers of such quality"

"What a Conference! Our aims and ambitions were not only met but were surpassed. So much learning, support, inspiration, laughter and even tears. Thank you!"

"Can I say a big thank you for your session today. You have motivated the staff and made them really think about where we are at the moment and where we want to go next"

"Mind blowing!"

"Each one brought something unique and special to our event but equally each one joined the dots beautifully"

"Really enjoy working with Independent Thinking to support our conferences - you make my job much less stressful!"

"I just wanted to say ‘thank you so much’ for your thought provoking, and enlightening discussion yesterday. It was incredibly motivational"

"Inspiring, amazing, funny, breath of fresh air!"

"Extraordinary!"

"I wanted to take some time to express what a brilliant experience last week's conference was and how thankful I am that you were able to coordinate the talented speakers that joined us"

"Just wanted to say a huge thank you. So inspiring! Been on many CPD courses over many, many years and usually disengage mid-way but definitely not the case this morning. I'm all fired up to brace new challenges next academic year!"

"Staff are saying things like 'Best speaker I have listened to' and 'So real'. It will be amazing to see the difference in opportunity for our school"

"Thank you so much for today, it has definitely sparked a lot of discussion and new ways of working. I am really excited about everything you and your company do"

Speakers Who Stay With You

Independent Thinking is a unique organisation bringing together some of the UK's leading educators, speakers and authors.

Established in 1994, Independent Thinking has spent three decades quietly supporting tens of thousands of teachers, school leaders, students, parents and governors throughout the UK and beyond.

We pride ourselves on education speakers who are entertaining, inspiring and grounded in the reality of school and college life.

Speakers who are passionate about a compassionate, authentic and creative education for all children and young people.

Speakers who stay with you.

Your Satisfaction Guarantee

Ever since we began we have made it clear that if a client is not happy with the outcome, they don't pay.

Simple as.

Why Choose Independent Thinking?

More than a speaker's bureau or a CPD training company, there is a family feel to Independent Thinking. Our Associates are proud to have become colleagues and friends belonging to something special – a mission-led organisation that for three decades has prioritised making a difference.

From the moment you make contact and we get back to you 'reassuringly quickly', you can be assured we will do all we can to help you plan an event that will be entertaining, inspiring, useful and memorable - guaranteed!

What We Do

Conference keynotes
Conference workshops
Full- and half-day INSET
Twilights
Live webinars
Prerecorded sessions
Books and resources
Consultancy

A Message From Our Founder

"I set up Independent Thinking in 1994 to make a difference to young people in schools.

The grand vision then was 'To change children's lives by changing the way they think. And so to change the world'.

It has been such a pleasure to work with so many great educators over the last three decades, all united in the knowledge that there is always another way.

I still believe that creativity is at the heart of it all, that education is too important to be taken seriously and that the best sort of education can change the world for the better.

But you know that.

Thank you for letting us be part of that ambition with you."

IJG

Choose One. Or Pick 'n' Mix.

Ian Gilbert • Mark Anderson • Nathan Arnold • Lisa Jane Ashes • Phil Beadle • Jackie Beere • Andrew Bernard • David Cameron • Simon Cooper-Hind • Mark Creasy • Dr Andrew Curran • Stephanie Davies • Mark Finnis • Claire Gadsby • Vic Goddard • Dave Harris • Crista Hazell • David Hodgson • Dr Haili Hughes • Martin Illingworth • Nina Jackson • Dave Keeling • Alison Kriel • Jonathan Lear • Roy Leighton • Mikey Markham • Dr Matthew McFall • Dr Sarah Moseley •Rhia Mutombo •Julie Rees • Jim Roberson • Hywel Roberts • Juliet Robertson • Will Ryan • Ruth Swailes • Ian Taylor • Ian Timbrell • Andy Vass • Dave Whitaker • Floyd Woodrow

Who We Love to Work With

Teachers
Leaders
Middle Leaders
Students and Children
Parents
Governors
Teaching Assistant
SENDCOs/ALNCOs
EYFS/Primary/Secondary/FE/HE
Special schools/Alternative Provision/SEMH settings/Virtual Schools
State schools/Independent Schools/International schools

Topics. Not buzzwords.

Adaptive teaching • Additional Learning Needs • Aspirations • Assessment • Behaviour • Challenge • Citizenship • Classroom Design • Classroom Management • Coaching • Cognition • Complexity • Conversation and Communication • Creativity • Curiosity • Curriculum Design • Digital technologies • Differentiation • Diversity • Early Years • Employability • Engagement • Entrepreneurship • Environment • Equality • Governance • Humour • Inclusion • Improving Standards • Independent Learning • Kindness • Leadership • Learning • Learning Technologies • Lesson Planning • Literacy • Managing Stress • Managing Workload • Memory • Motivation • Neurodiversity • Neuroscience • Numeracy • Outdoor Learning • Pedagogy • Questioning • Rapport • Relationships • Relational Practice • Resilience • Restorative Practice • School Improvement • SEND • Service Learning • Storytelling • Teaching and Learning • Teaching in Challenging Circumstances • Team Building • Thinking Skills • Thunks • Values-based Education • Well-being • Wonder

Our Voice in Print

Through our award-winning Independent Thinking Press, we changed the face of education publishing in the UK.

From important titles like The Working Class and Square Pegs to the Independent thinking On... series of paperbacks and best sellers like When the Adults Change and Messy Maths, these entertaining, inspiring and practical books are genuinely 'our voice in print'.

Check out our Independent Thinking Press.

Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know about events, offers, books and more.

You'll also receive our monthly Second Thoughts newsletter, full of interesting stories, research, insights and videos you might otherwise have missed.

We'll even send you a free copy of our controversial 25-point Alternative Good School Checklist as a thank you.

See you on the other side.

Enjoy a free no-obligation chat.
Make a booking. Haggle a bit.

Give us a call on +44 (0)1267 211432 or drop us a line at learn@independentthinking.co.uk.

We promise to get back to you reassuringly quickly.