The Thinking School: Developing a dynamic learning community

Dr Kulvarn Atwal was born and educated in East London and has been headteacher for six years of the school he attended as a child. He is currently Executive Headteacher of two schools. His doctoral thesis, completed in 2016, examined the factors that influence teacher learning in schools.

Kulvarn specialises in teacher professional learning. His doctoral thesis investigated the factors that impact upon teacher engagement in professional learning activities, with a particular focus on action research. The model developed through this research has been used to shape leadership practice in schools across the world. He has spent many years working with student teachers and Early Career Teachers and has designed a professional learning programme for teachers in their first two years of teaching.

Kulvarn believes that as teachers, each day brings opportunities to learn, grow and improve. This model of learning-focused teaching has resulted in one of the schools he leads achieving the Mayor of London's 'Schools for Success' Award for five consecutive years. He is currently working at a national policy level to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in our schools.