Debbie Belsher: after over 20 years successful teaching in primary schools, Debbie now works with Trevor Hawes and the Optimal Learning Group. She specialises in strengthening teaching, learning and thinking in primary classrooms and schools.

Debbie works at a variety of levels, from LEA conferences, through to training days with Learning Networks, Teaching Assistants and clusters of schools as well as INSET for individual schools and learning-to-learn days for a class of primary pupils. She has a growing national and international reputation as an authority on the learning brain and effective practice in the primary classroom.

Debbie’s presentations, courses and study skills days are commonly described as “fantastic” "highly informative" "practical" and "fun".

Debbie has authored a wealth of ready-to-use presentations and photo-copiable materials for use in the primary classroom to develop children's understanding of the learning brain and effective learning and thinking strategies. She also produced the materials for the highly successful Brain Awareness Week 2007- used by over 600 UK primary schools.

Debbie provides INSET training on Teaching for Learning, Developing Children's Learning to Learn and Thinking Skills and Raising Boys’ Achievements. In addition she undertakes workshops at conferences on Teaching, Learning and Thinking, runs study skills days for pupils at Key Stage 1 and 2 and undertakes presentations to parents and teaching assistants.

For further information about courses, booking and products we can provide for your school , click on the pencils on the left.

DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT!

Here is what a few people have said about Debbies's training days recently:

Rachel Woods, Acting Headteacher, Redesdale Primary School, Wallsend, Newcastle Upon Tyne

"The staff at Redesdale are firmly committed to using Optimal Learning techiniques and they find the materials and ideas inspirational and challenging. We are embedded the ethos of brain-friendly learning onto all areas of the curriculum - the wh ol e school has a calm yet 'buzzing' environment now!"

The evening Debbie presented was abs ol utely super and 90 parents attended which was fantastic! The parents were very positive, enthusiastic and could now see how everything we are doing at the school with the children fits in place. The session was fun, interactive and informative and parents left beaming! They carried out many of the activities children had done on their study skills days and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Mrs Lennox, parent: "Everything became clear to me. I suddenly understood why my son behaves the way he does and why I behave as I do!" "Thanks Debbie, once more for a truly motivating and inspirational session."

Mrs Carole Wakelin, Headteacher, Diocesan and Payne Smith CE Primary School

Study Skills Days across the Key Stages

"Debbie adapted the content of each session appropriately to meet the needs of the various age groups. Even the more inhibited children were drawn in to the excitement of the day."

"The course has had a major impact throughout the school . Young children in year 1 are still boasting of growing another 'point on their star' when they learnt something new. The course has raised awareness within the staff of the need to meet the needs of differing learning styles in their classes. As a result the approach to learning and teaching has changed with the teachers looking to develop more kinaestetic activities."

"This was a good investment of time and money for the develop of children's learning."

Miss Tiz Wright, Yr 5 Class Teacher, Kent College Prep School, Kent

“The study skills day was fantastic! The girls covered a huge amount during the day and it was very much at their level. We now, as a school , have weekly thinking skills sessions. Debbie was very flexible and simply great with the pupils”

Rosemary Olney, Headteacher, Charing Primary School

“The days with Debbie have had a major impact on the children and their learning in the classroom. We now use calming music, concept mapping and deliver lessons in ways that are brain friendly. “

Mr R McDonald, Deputy Headteacher, Saxon Way Primary School, Kent

“Debbie was fantastic. She introduced the children to difficult concepts in a lively and informative way. Great study skills sessions! Thank you!”

Parent comments from their evening session at the same school

“This was fascinating and explained really clearly, even for my poor brain! Brilliant!”

“This was a very interesting talk and helped me to make sense of the information the girls had been bringing home”

“I found this very enjoyable, fun and informative”

Sarah McGough, Project Manager, Spelthorne Confederation of Schools

INSET

“The day was absolutely excellent! Debbie was very skilled at holding people’s interest and keeping the group focused. Headteachers say the materials for use in the classroom are very user friendly and fun. I hope to be able to invite Debbie to speak again to other schools within the confederation”

Moira Butcher, Head of Hearing Impaired Unit, Hacton Primary School, Essex

INSET

“An incredible amount was covered in one day; the pace was excellent, with sufficient brain breaks and Debbie’s delivery was highly motivational. Every one of the 35 staff who attended learned something new and for many of us it brought back to the forefront of our minds why we became teachers. The impact on staff was considerable and at our next staff meeting we will discuss where to go next”

Wincheap Primary School, Kent

Teaching Assistant Training

“We all thoroughly enjoyed the day! Debbie was friendly and coherent and delivered a day that was easily understood with plenty of brain breaks. She had a good understanding of what our job entails. Debbie did not talk down to us and we left with lots of useful background information about the brain and full of good ideas to use immediately with the children.”

Children’s comments after study skills days

“That was my best day ever!” Carl

“It was all brilliant!” Sophia

“I can calm myself now when I get stressed in the playground and when I do my SATs tests” Luke

“I would like to do the brain for A level” Phoebe

“I liked finding out about my brain and how I learn” Edie

“The day was lots of fun and couldn’t have been better. Thanks Debbie. Can you come again?” Dan

“I want to be a skilled scientist and get a job like Debbie’s!” Matthew

“The best bit was finding out that I am smart after all!” Stephen

“I loved learning 1 to 10 in Japanese and will make sure I use all my senses when I learn” Frederick

“My best bit was the paper tower building and finding out that I have 3 brains in one” Josh

“I am going to teach my mum how to do a hook up and keep calm when she gets cross!” Ashok

“I learnt loads about my brain and how I learn. I want to tell everyone.” Amy