As we start the new term, if there's one piece of advice I'd give both teachers and students: never let fear guide you. And more strongly for education leaders: don't use fear as a teaching tool. Fear is a treacherous advisor. Fear blots out the beautiful. Fear starves creativity. And fear turns all the alarm clocks to NOW, preventing long term thinking. Fear asks us to sacrifice wellbeing - your own and that of everyone else, for its sake. We know the science of learning he

A Personal Experience with Creativity Yesterday, I experienced the profound impact of the arts. As a proud parent, I attended a performance by the Wolvercote Creative Writing Workshop, part of the Oxbright International Arts Festival. Five young teens shared short stories they had transformed into paper motion movies. Imagine stop-motion animations, crafted frame by frame from paper and pen. I wasn't sure what to expect—perhaps something cute or amateurish? I was completely m

Latin is more than just an ancient language. It is a key to understanding history, literature, and the roots of many modern languages. When I first explored online Latin language tutoring, I discovered how accessible and engaging this classical language can be. With the right guidance, Thinkers can unlock a world of knowledge and sharpen their critical thinking skills. Let me share why online Latin tutoring is a fantastic choice for those eager to expand their horizons. Why C

These past two weeks, I have immersed myself in reading over 600,000 words of student writing. Every June, during exam marking time, I dedicate myself to this task. I noticed very little AI in these essays. However, one student caught my attention. They quoted my own writing but attributed it to a fictitious source created by the AI. This incident highlights the ongoing conversation about AI in education. Today, I want to focus on my use of AI as a lecturer and assessor. The

When I was 11 I stopped speaking. I did not know it at the time, but what happened to me is known as selective mutism. Because it only happened at school, my darling immigrant parents probably didn't even know it was happening. People would just say I was "shy." There is no shyness in the inability to make a sound. We had immigrated to the USA when I was 11. That upheaval, a new country, a new language, a new everything, is what caused the mutism. A wise school counsellor, a

Curiosity saves lives. It has certainly saved mine. Let me explain. I recently spoke at the Oxford International Schools Conference on one of my favourite topics: CURIOSITY! And as a home educator myself, curiosity is a way of life! I try hard to make it a daily habit: reading all sorts of books (or listening to podcasts) on random topics, exploring new places, letting my teen choose new 'music' for me to enjoy (if migraines were a sound...)… or following mine and my kids' ra

Today I ALMOST topped a level 5 green route, but fear glued my hand to the last hold. Sweat started to make me slip. Just one move from...

This blog gives us a quick review of some of the key philosophies of our amazing courses. By providing tailored resources and support,...

I realised my role as an educator was sacred. Every child, every student, that steps into my class now becomes my child. For as long as I am entrusted with them, I will look after them as I would want someone to look after my own children.

In today's fast-paced world, it seems everyone is trying to do more, faster, faster...including learning more, and more, faster and...