Keen Kid or Cognitive Innovator?
Earlier this week, my Year 8 History class was practising paragraph writing in preparation for an upcoming assessment. As I moved about the room, a student asked me to review a response he’d written for homework. It was excellent, but it addressed a question I hadn't set or asked him to complete.
- 04 March 2026
International Mother Language Day
Saturday was International Mother Language Day. Established by UNESCO in 1999 and formally recognised by the UN General Assembly in 2008, International Mother Language Day promotes awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. For UNESCO, such awareness contributes to global citizenship, enabling learners to play an active role in both local and global arenas as they address shared challenges and work towards a more just, peaceful, tolerant, inclusive, secure and sustainable world.
- Dr Timothy Scott
- 24 February 2026
Anticipating 2026
And with Friday's first full school assembly at Barker, there can be no doubt that the 2026 school year has begun. It is a moment that draws all teachers back into the life of the school and, for the Barker Institute, into deeper engagement with those at the heart of our work: students and teachers. For the Barker Institute, it brings a sense of purpose and attentiveness to the year ahead. There is much to look forward to, but also much to hold with care: the responsibility to listen well, to ask good questions, and to ensure that our research continues to serve learning and teaching in thoughtful, ethical and meaningful ways.
- Dr Timothy Scott
- 02 February 2026
The Quiet Teamwork Behind a Journal Submission
Around about this time each year, I write a post commenting on the last “big push” to finish editing the Barker Institute journal, Learning in Practice. In the past, I've tended to focus on a specific article that will feature, or a common thread that might have emerged in the collection of articles, or a key finding from the Barker Journey project. However, with this post I focus on just how collaborative school-based educational research work really is. As we move into the final week of preparing the journal for publishing, I am reminded again of this. From the outside, there are certainly elements of editing Learning in Practice that can appear to be solitary tasks: long hours with track changes, cross-checking references, smoothing phrasing, and coaxing coherence out of promising drafts. Just you, a manuscript, and a mug of cooling coffee.
- Dr Timothy Scott
- 01 December 2025
Turning Social Media Delay into Family Strength: A Positive Opportunity for Connection
Scripture reminds us that “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). This moment invites families to reflect not merely on restricting technology, but on forming hearts that are discerning and resilient, compassionate and wise.
- 26 November 2025
Research Agenda 2026-2027
Our annually published document identifies high-level priority domains bringing together our rich intellectual resources to facilitate learning and growth throughout the school, and the local and global community.