How can insights from neuroscience transform not only how students learn, but how they engage with some of the biggest challenges facing our world today?

In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I am joined by Professor Paul Howard-Jones, a leading expert at the intersection of brain science, education and climate change education. Based at the University of Bristol, Paul’s work explores how understanding the brain can help us improve teaching, boost motivation and support more emotionally and cognitively engaged learning, including when it comes to complex global issues like climate change.

We talk about what really drives student motivation, why many popular ideas about the brain are actually myths and how to bridge the gap between research and classroom practice. Paul also shares how neuroscience can play a key role in helping young people not just learn about climate change, but feel empowered to act.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why motivation and reward are central to how the brain learns

✅ What common myths still shape teaching, and how to challenge them

✅ How teachers can be supported to turn learning science into classroom practice

✅ How insights from neuroscience can shape more impactful climate change education

✅ What parents can do to foster deeper, more engaged learning at home

Whether you’re curious about how your child learns, or how education can prepare young people for a rapidly changing world, this conversation is full of insight, evidence and practical wisdom.

🔗 Links & Resources

📚 Explore Paul’s work and his podcast Mind, Brain and Planet https://linktr.ee/mindbrainplanet

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/mind-brain-and-planet/id1776174197

Paul’s Research Profile https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/paul-a-howard-jones

Mind, Brain and Planet Blog https://mindbrainplanet.com/

Evolution of the Learning Brain Book by Professor Paul Howard-Jones

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on learning, neuroscience and academic success.

👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:

https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your child seem more anxious, overwhelmed or avoidant as exams approach?

In this episode, I unpack what exam stress really looks like, and why revision season is often the peak point for overwhelm. Because it’s not just about workload. It’s about uncertainty, comparison and the mental toll of trying to “get it all done.”

You’ll learn why students overestimate what they can achieve in a day, why they avoid doing exam questions (even when they know they should) and how simple routines can dramatically reduce cognitive stress. I’ll also share the trap of comparing progress to others and how to help your child tune out the noise and focus on their own academic journey.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ What academic stress really is and why it builds during the revision phase

✅ How the planning fallacy tricks students into overloading their schedule

✅ The science behind why retrieval practice is hard and why that’s precisely what deepens learning

✅ Why rest, rhythm and routine aren’t just helpful, but essential for learning

✅ How to help your child resist comparison and focus on what actually works

Whether your child is feeling the pressure already or you’re anticipating a stressful few weeks ahead, this episode will give you the insight and tools to support them effectively.

🔗 Links & Resources

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.

👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:

https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever heard your child say, “I just can’t remember any of this,” and felt unsure what to do next?

In this episode, I unpack why so many students struggle with memory and what we, as parents and educators, can do to help. Because memory isn’t just about trying harder. It’s a skill that can be strengthened with the right strategies and support.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How memory works, including working memory, long-term memory and retrieval

✅ Why students often struggle to retain information, even when they’ve “revised”

✅ The impact of stress, sleep and nutrition on the brain’s ability to learn

✅ Practical memory-boosting strategies I use in academic coaching

Whether your child is revising for exams or just trying to keep up with day-to-day learning, this episode will help you understand how memory works and what you can do to support it in a way that builds confidence, independence and motivation.

🔗 Links & Resources

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.

👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:

https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I’m joined by Dr Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel, a cognitive psychologist and senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Glasgow. Known for her work on memory, retrieval practice and the spacing effect, Dr Kuepper-Tetzel is passionate about making cognitive science accessible and applicable for learners of all ages.

Together, we explore the science behind how learning really happens and how students, parents and educators can use evidence-based strategies to make learning more effective and lasting. If your child spends hours rereading notes or highlighting textbooks and still struggles to retain information, this conversation offers clarity and practical solutions grounded in the latest research.

🎧In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ What the spacing effect is and how it boosts long-term retention

✅ Why retrieval practice is more powerful than passive review

✅ How students can avoid common study mistakes that feel helpful but aren’t

✅ The truth about popular revision habits like rereading and highlighting

✅ Simple, science-backed techniques that can transform your child’s study routine

Whether your child is preparing for exams or building study habits for life, this episode is packed with practical tips and research-backed insights to help them thrive academically.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📃 Dr Kuepper-Tetzel’s Research Profile - https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/psychologyneuroscience/staff/carolinakueppertetzel/

🖇️ Dr Kuepper-Tetzel’s LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-kuepper-tetzel/?originalSubdomain=uk

📚 Dr Kuepper-Tetzel’s Book - Ace That Test: A Student’s Guide to Learning Better:

📩 Loved this episode? Share it with another parent who might benefit! And don’t forget to subscribe for more expert tips on supporting your child’s academic journey.

👉 If you’d like to book a free 30-minute consultation with me for personalised academic coaching for your child, just head to my website. Let’s make your child’s learning a success!

Get in touch: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/

🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-anna-york-weaving-3b309321/?originalSubdomain=uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever heard your child say “I hate school!", and felt unsure how to respond?

In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I discuss what that phrase really means. It’s a sentence that can trigger concern, frustration or even guilt. But behind those words is usually something deeper, whether it’s anxiety, disconnection or academic burnout. In this episode, I help you decode what your child might really be trying to say and how you can respond with empathy, insight and strategy.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ What your child might actually be trying to communicate when they say “I hate school”

✅ How I recommend responding in a way that builds trust instead of shutting down conversation

✅ Why this phrase is often rooted in academic pressure, social struggle or emotional overload

✅ Practical ways you can support your child at home and in collaboration with school

✅ Long-term strategies to protect your child’s motivation and wellbeing

Whether your child is in the early years of secondary school or facing exam season, this episode will give you the tools to better understand and support them when school becomes a struggle.

🔗 Links & Resources

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.

👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:

https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I’m joined by Dr. Dominique Thompson, a GP, TEDx speaker and leading expert in young people’s mental health and wellbeing. With over 20 years of clinical experience, most recently as Director of Service at the University of Bristol Students’ Health Service, Dominique brings a wealth of insight into the challenges young people face today.

She shares practical strategies from her bestselling book How to Grow a Grown Up, helping parents understand how to support their children in becoming independent, confident and resilient adults.

🎙️ In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ What anxiety, burnout and perfectionism look like in students today

✅ How social media impacts mental wellbeing

✅ What “snowplough parenting” is and why it can hold children back

✅ Simple ways to encourage independence from a younger age

✅ How to support your child without stepping in to fix everything

Whether your child is still at school or preparing for university, this conversation is packed with expert advice and reassurance for parents navigating the teenage and young adult years.

🔗 Links & Resources

Find Dr Dominique Thompson’s books and work:

https://www.growingagrownup.com/

https://www.buzzconsulting.co.uk/about/

📩 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with another parent or educator, and don’t forget to subscribe for more expert conversations on academic success and student wellbeing.

👉 Interested in personalised academic coaching? Book a free 30-minute consultation via my website:

https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I’m joined by Professor Roberto Filippi, a leading expert in psychology and education at University College London. As director of the Multilanguage & Cognition Lab and co-founder of Bilingualism Matters London, Professor Filippi shares his latest research on multilingualism, cognitive development and academic achievement.

We explore his recent study, The Impact of Multilingualism and Socio-Economic Status on Academic Performance, offering valuable insights for parents raising bilingual or multilingual children. If you’ve ever wondered whether speaking multiple languages might confuse your child or slow their academic progress, this episode provides reassurance and practical advice.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

✅ Why multilingual children often catch up with, and even surpass, their monolingual peers academically

✅ How multilingualism positively shapes brain development and cognitive skills

✅ The role socio-economic status plays in the academic outcomes of multilingual learners

✅ Practical strategies to support your bilingual or multilingual child’s educational journey

✅ What educators and policymakers can do to better support multilingual students

Whether you’re raising a bilingual child or simply curious about the long-term benefits of multilingualism, this conversation is packed with research-backed insights and actionable tips to support your child’s success.

🔗 Links & Resources

Professor Filippi’s profile and research: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/59675-roberto-filippi

📩 Loved this episode? Share it with another parent who could benefit! And don’t forget to subscribe for more expert tips on academic success.

👉 If you need personalised academic coaching for your child, book a free 30-minute consultation via my website. Let’s make this exam season a success!

Get in touch via: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising the way students learn, how teachers teach and how parents support their children’s education. But what does this really mean for the future of learning? Should we be embracing AI, or do we need to be mindful of how we integrate it into education?

In this episode of Academic Coaching for Parents, I’m joined by Dr. Philip Hua, an AI and finance expert, author of Neural Networks with TensorFlow and Keras and Machine Intelligence: Concepts and Mathematics. With a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Imperial College, an MBA, and extensive experience in machine learning, risk management and IT consulting, Philip brings a wealth of knowledge on how AI is shaping education today.

We dive into key questions like:

✅ How is AI transforming education

✅ Can AI-powered tools enhance student learning without replacing traditional teaching

✅ Should parents and educators be concerned about students becoming too dependent on AI

✅ What skills will be most valuable for students in an AI-driven future

✅ How will AI impact the classroom 10 or 20 years from now

This is a must-listen episode for parents, educators, and anyone interested in how AI is shaping the future of learning.

🎙 Listen now and learn how to support your child’s academic journey with AI.

📩 Loved this episode? Share it with another parent who could benefit! And don’t forget to subscribe for more expert tips on academic success.

👉 If you need personalised academic coaching for your child, book a free 30-minute consultation via my website. Let’s make this exam season a success!

Get in touch via: https://www.york-weaving-education.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.