Understanding the Science of Learning: Evidence-Informed Strategies for Early Career Teachers

Target audience:  Early Career Teachers

ECTs registered with the EA for the academic year 2025-2026 will have received an access code to enable them to apply for this event.  

About this event

This engaging and practical session, led by Bradley Busch from InnerDrive, introduces Early Career Teachers to key principles from cognitive science that underpin effective teaching and learning.  Participants will explore how understanding how pupils learn - through processes such as memory, attention, and motivation can inform classroom practice and improve outcomes.  The session will highlight evidence-informed strategies including retrieval practice, metacognition, and effective feedback, with opportunities to reflect on current practice and challenge common misconceptions.  Designed to support ECTs in their professional growth, the session will provide actionable insights and tools to enhance learning in real classroom contexts.

Objectives

By the end of this session, ECTs will be able to:

• Develop a foundational understanding of key cognitive science principles that support effective teaching and learning, including memory, attention, and motivation.
• Apply evidence-informed strategies to enhance pupil learning through techniques such as retrieval practice, metacognition, and feedback.
• Reflect critically on classroom practice in light of current research, identifying opportunities to improve learning outcomes and challenge common misconceptions.

Time

9.30 am - 3.30 pm

This in-person professional development opportunity is offered on three separate dates and at different locations.  You need only select one date from the options available.

Substitute cover is available for the release of ECTs working in schools (excludes Independent Schools).  Monies in relation to sub cover will be issued to schools after teacher has attended event.  Schools advised to code to Miscellaneous School Charge/Cost on NISTR.  Special Schools Only:  Please code to EA-V In-service training (quoting EA ECT event) on NISTR.

Please ensure you enter your email address correctly when registering.

Event Closing Dates:  One week before the date of each event listed.

This professional learning opportunity aims to support the development of the following GTCNI competences:

GTCNI Competence No 2

Teachers will have developed a knowledge and understanding of contemporary debates about the nature and purposes of education and the social and policy contexts in which the aims of education are defined and implemented.

GTCNI Competence No 6

Teachers will have developed a knowledge and understanding of the factors that promote and hinder effective learning, and be aware of the need to provide for the holistic development of the child.