We are delighted to welcome Alex Quigley to Lancashire where he will be explaining to us 'Why Learning Fails' in a full conference.

Alex Quigley is an experienced educator, author, and content strategist at the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). He has a background as a school leader and Director of Huntington Research School in York. Alex is known for his insightful books and articles on education, particularly focusing on literacy and effective teaching strategies

His conference, "Why Learning Fails," delves into common reasons why students struggle with learning, such as the limitations of working memory, prior misconceptions, and poor metacognition. He offers evidence-based strategies to help educators address these challenges and improve student outcomes.

In his best-selling book Alex identifies eight reasons why learning fails in the primary classroom and throughout the day he will be explaining these in detail.
1. The narrow limits of working memory: Our working memory has limited capacity, making it difficult to retain and process new information simultaneously.
2. Patchy prior knowledge: Inconsistent or incomplete prior knowledge can hinder the understanding of new concepts.
3. The nagging nature of misconceptions: Misconceptions can persist and interfere with learning, requiring careful correction.
4. A curious case of overconfidence: Overestimating one's understanding can lead to poor learning choices and ineffective study habits.
5. Faulty planning strategies: Ineffective planning and organization can disrupt the learning process.
6. An inability to learn independently: Struggling with self-directed learning can limit progress and understanding.
7. Wandering attention and miserly mental effort: Lack of focus and insufficient mental effort can impede learning.
8. Falling motivation in the face of failure: Repeated failures can demotivate students, making it harder to persevere and succeed.

This conference promises to be an invaluable experience, offering schools profound insights into the complexities of learning. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the common obstacles students face and explore a variety of evidence-based strategies to overcome these challenges. The conference will equip teachers and leaders with practical tools and techniques that can be immediately implemented in the classroom, fostering a more effective and supportive learning environment.