Barry Hymer

Barry is an experienced teacher and chartered psychologist, currently practicing as a freelance educator (he is the Director of Still Thinking UK Ltd.) and author of educational material. He has been a Visiting Fellow at Newcastle University’s Centre for Learning and Teaching and is Consultant Editor for the journal Gifted Education International.

As part of his freelance work Barry regularly runs hands-on enrichment workshops with young people in school (usually in the area of gifted education, thinking skills and/or Philosophy for Children).  He has delivered keynote and workshop presentations at over 400 national and international conferences, and worked in a training and consultancy capacity with many thousands of teachers, students, parents, governors, teaching assistants and inspector-advisers.  

A commitment to inclusive, holistic and child-centred approaches to education underpins Barry’s writing, teaching and his in-service presentations, and he eschews quick educational fixes and a focus on teaching in favour of deep learning experiences and a focus on learning. He has particular interests in thinking skills and creativity, intrinsic learning motivation and independent learning, wise learning environments and in contextual, growth-oriented approaches to gift-creation. His Gifted & Talented Pocketbook has been a bestseller and it presents a learning-focused alternative to traditional approaches to G&T education.