ONLINE KEYNOTES – DOWNLOADS – BOOK JAMES – CALENDAR – TOPICS – BOOKS – VIDEOS – SOCIAL MEDIA


James Nottingham, FRSA
Founder of Challenging Learning; Co-Founder of P4C.com; Creator of the Learning Pit
James Nottingham is regarded by many as one of the most engaging and thought-provoking presenters in the world of education. He brings rare clarity and insight to research evidence; a breadth and depth of exemplar that connects with the lived lives of teachers & leaders; and a sense of story and humour that makes learning so much more memorable and sustainable.
James’s ability to engage, challenge, and amuse means he can hold the attention of thousands of delegates throughout a whole day event, as well as provide the perfect opening or closing keynote speech at national and international conferences.
“James Nottingham will help you navigate the world of educational concepts and research with a wonderful blend of clarity and good humour.” PROFESSOR CAROL DWECK
“James Nottingham has developed a rare skill for blending arresting anecdotes, hard-edged research and practical advice into a truly compelling narrative.” PROFESSOR BARRY HYMER
Follow James
ONLINE CONSULTANCY
In addition to the keynotes, workshops and demonstration lessons James has been booked for (see calendar below), he also offers the following online consultancy:
Virtual Keynotes
James welcomes invitations to keynote virtual conferences and staff events. More details
Webinars and Coaching
James and his team offer webinars on all Challenging Learning topics as well as coaching for individuals and small teams. More details
Open Events
The Challenging Learning team host a wide range of events with James Nottingham, including the Pit Podcasts and our in-depth webinar series
Virtual delivery can be booked either as the preferred option or as a back-up plan in case of travel restrictions. This allows you to book with confidence, knowing that Professional Learning will take place on your chosen date(s).

ONLINE CONSULTANCY
In addition to the keynotes, workshops and demonstration lessons James has been booked for (see calendar below), he also offers the following online consultancy:
Virtual Keynotes
James welcomes invitations to keynote virtual conferences and staff events. More details
Webinars and Coaching
James and his team offer webinars on all Challenging Learning topics as well as coaching for individuals and small teams. More details
Open Events
The Challenging Learning team host a wide range of events with James Nottingham, including the Pit Podcasts and our in-depth webinar series
Virtual delivery can be booked either as the preferred option or as a back-up plan in case of travel restrictions. This allows you to book with confidence, knowing that Professional Learning will take place on your chosen date(s).


ONLINE CONSULTANCY
In addition to the keynotes, workshops and demonstration lessons James has been booked for (see calendar below), he also offers the following online consultancy:
Virtual Keynotes
James welcomes invitations to keynote virtual conferences and staff events. More details
Webinars and Coaching
James and his team offer webinars on all Challenging Learning topics as well as coaching for individuals and small teams. More details
Open Events
The Challenging Learning team host a wide range of events with James Nottingham, including the Pit Podcasts and our in-depth webinar series
Virtual delivery can be booked either as the preferred option or as a back-up plan in case of travel restrictions. This allows you to book with confidence, knowing that Professional Learning will take place on your chosen date(s).
Video Spotlight
There are 100+ videos of James Nottingham online – giving keynotes, teaching students, explaining theories. So, this is a very small selection. You can find others on the video section of this site as well as on YouTube and Vimeo.
Podcasts
Find out more about James Nottingham, his concepts, thoughts, and Challenging Learning through these free-to-listen to Podcasts.
Areas of Expertise
James Nottingham has keynoted many thousands of conferences and led professional learning days across six continents. Whatever the context, he challenges, inspires and gives regular opportunity for audience reflection and dialogue. So, book him for an hour or a whole day and he will keep your delegates engaged throughout.
His most popular presentations are:
- Keynote Speeches (60-120 mins)
- Professional Learning Days (full- or half-day)
The topics he covers include:
Books by James Nottingham
See all the books James has written or alternatively use the quick links tabs below categories by language they were written in.
Books by James Nottingham
See all the books James has written or alternatively use the quick links tabs below categories by language they were written in.
Where in the World
James is open to invitations from around the world.
The expandable list below shows where James is booked in 2020 and beyond. If your event can precede or follow another in the same region, then travel costs can be kept to a minimum.
Please note: These dates have been updated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AUSTRALIA
BOOKED IN 2020
August 19,20 – NSW
August 31 – NSW
Sept 2– QLD
September 4 – SA
October 13-15 – NSW
BOOKED IN 2021
April 30-QLD
May 3- QLD
May 5- NSW
May 7- VIC
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
August 18, 21, 24-28
September 1, 3
October 5-12
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
March 15-19
May 4, 6
July 13-23
October 7-18
BOTSWANA
BOOKED IN 2020
June 13 – Gaborone
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
June 15-19
CANADA
BOOKED IN 2020
July 14-16 – NB
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
July 9-13
September 14-25
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
January 4-27
March 1-10
August 2-13
September 13-30
DENMARK
BOOKED IN 2020
August 8 – Copenhagen
August 15 – Aarhus
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
August 7, 10
October 26-28
November 18-24
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
January 4-5
February 1-5, 15-26
March 15-31
April 5-12
August 16-27
October 25-29
November 1-30
NETHERLANDS
BOOKED IN 2020
November 4-6– Arnhem
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
November 3, 16-24
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
January 4-5
February 1-5, 15-26
March 15-31
April 5-12
October 25-29
November 1-30
NEW ZEALAND
BOOKED IN 2020
October 19-20 – Wellington
October 21 – Christchurch
October 22 – Rotorua
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
August 24-28
October 5-9
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
March 15-29
July 1-7, 13-23
October 7-18
NORWAY
BOOKED IN 2020
January 31 – Ostereidet
August 10 – Bergen
August 11 – Tysnes
August 12 – Bergen
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
August 7, 10
October 26-28
November 18-24
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
January 4-5
February 1-5, 15-26
March 15-31
April 5-12
August 16-27
October 25-29
November 1-30
SINGAPORE
BOOKED IN 2020
November 10-13
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
November 9
November 16-20
SOUTH AFRICA
BOOKED IN 2020
June 16-18 – Johannesburg
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
June 15, 19
SWEDEN
BOOKED IN 2020
Jan 7-8 – Stockholm
August 6 – Norrköping
August 13 – Kalmar
August 14 – Stockholm
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
August 7, 10
October 26-30
November 18-24
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
January 4-5
February 1-5, 15-26
March 15-31
April 5-12
August 16-27
October 25-29
November 1-30
UK
BOOKED IN 2020
January 6 – Nottingham
January 30 – London
February 13 – Glasgow
March 5 – Manchester
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
May 12-29
June 1-10, 19-30
July 1-7
November 2-3, 17-23
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
January 4-11
April 12-30
May 4-28
June 1-25
August 30-31
September 1-8
November 1-30
USA
BOOKED IN 2020
February 24 – TX
February 25 – NJ
February 28 – TX
March 11-13 – IL
July 30 – TX
September 9-10 – KS
September 28 – AZ
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
July 9-13, 27-31
September 11-25, 29-30
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
January 4-27
March 1-10
August 2-13
September 13-30
APRIL 2020
BOOKED IN 2020
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
Available for online professional learning
MAY 2020
BOOKED IN 2020
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
1-29 in the UK
Also available for online professional learning for all countries
JUNE 2020
BOOKED IN 2020
13 Gaborone, Botswana
16-18 Johannesburg, RSA
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
1-11 in the UK
22-30 in the UK
Also available for online professional learning in all countries
JULY 2020
BOOKED IN 2020
14-16 NB, Canada
27-28 IL, USA
29-30 TX, USA
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
1-8 in the UK
9-13 in Canada
17 in Canada
31 in the USA
AUGUST 2020
BOOKED IN 2020
6 Norrköping, Sweden
8 Copenhagen, Denmark
10 Bergen, Norway
11 Ostereidt, Norway
12 Bergen, Norway
13 Kalmar, Sweden
14 Stockholm, Sweden
19-20 NSW, Australia
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
7 in the Nordic countries
10 in the Nordic countries
18 in Australia
21 in Australia
24-28 in Australia or NZ
SEPTEMBER 2020
BOOKED IN 2020
9-10 KS, USA
28 AZ, USA
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
14-25 in the USA or Canada
29-30 in the USA
OCTOBER 2020
BOOKED IN 2020
12-16 NSW, Australia
19-22 New Zealand
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
5-9 in Australia or New Zealand
26-30 in the Nordic countries
NOVEMBER 2020
BOOKED IN 2020
4-6 Bazalt, Netherlands
10-13 Singapore
26 – Oslo, Norway
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2020
16-24 in Europe
JANUARY 2021
BOOKED IN 2021
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
4-8 in USA or Europe
11-27 in the USA or Canada
FEBRUARY 2021
BOOKED IN 2021
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
1-5 in Europe
9-13 in the USA or Canada
15-26 Anywhere
MARCH 2021
BOOKED IN 2021
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
1-14 in the USA or Canada
15-19 Anywhere
23-31 Anywhere
April 2021
BOOKED IN 2021
30 – QLD, Australia
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
5-14 Anywhere
15-29 in Australia or NZ
May 2021
BOOKED IN 2021
3 – QLD, Australia
5 – NSW, Australia
7 – VIC, Australia
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
10-28 Anywhere
June 2021
BOOKED IN 2021
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
1-25 Anywhere
28-30 Australia
July 2021
BOOKED IN 2021
12 – NSW, Australia
BEST AVAILABILITY IN 2021
13-26 in Australia or NZ
Social Media
You can connect with James through these social media platforms:
How can you possibly sum up all the magic from a full day of #learning with @JamesNottinghm in a single #blog post?
— • Thaddeus Bourassa ~ M. Ed • (@ThaddeusBTeach) February 2, 2019
Well take a moment to read this thoughtful post by @AnnickRauch.
It's about as close as you can get. @louis_riel_sd #SJASD #ChallengingLearning @ChallengeLearn https://t.co/0zcjf64WKr
Totally starstrucked by Mr @JamesNottinghm in Gothenburgh today. Very inspireing.
— Paul Holm (@PalleHo) November 21, 2014
. @JamesNottinghm Thank you for being a great inspiration in #Tårnby today. The speak will make a great difference in our schools #PUC
— Elzebeth Wøhlk (@Elze_beth) March 24, 2015
By far, the highlight of the #AVL2017 so far was @JamesNottinghm Both the keynote and break out were beyond inspiring!
— Sweet Lou (@bergy1910) July 12, 2017
Absolutely loved @JamesNottinghm and his session on Feedback during #AVL2019. The wheels are turning and digesting everything I just witnessed. Wondering about how to bring Parents in on this. What happens when Ps’ advice/criticisms create an undesirable outcome for Ss? pic.twitter.com/Mi1glPMtrq
— Yau-Jau Ku (@yaujauku) July 9, 2019
Every time I meet James he makes me think deeper about learning and teaching. What a great job he did yesterday evening in The Hague! @_bazalt @Bazaltgroep @JamesNottinghm @HCOactiviteiten https://t.co/CRAADbikSj
— Eveline Busch (@BuschEveline) October 4, 2019
Grateful to be a part of the West Aurora District 129 PD day on Friday! Thanks for allowing FIRST to provide 17 presenters to make this day a huge success. Closed out the day with an amazing keynote from @JamesNottinghm! #LearningFIRST #PD #leadership #education #iledchat pic.twitter.com/5c2TUfJ1b1
— FIRST Ed Resources (@1stEdResources) March 5, 2019
Every school needs a @JamesNottinghm in it at all times.. very inspiring.. can't wait to take VL to the next level with my class🤓💭 #ACLF2016
— Miss Higgins 🌸 (@MissHiggins6) November 29, 2016
Amazing lecture on the power of feedback from @jamesnottinghm #fireflylc pic.twitter.com/vhxUIO6Th0
— Computer Studies💻 (@StAugustinesCS) November 12, 2015
Great day with @JamesNottinghm here at St Chris, Bahrain! Engaging and full of humour. Love the "wobble"! I am going to be wobbling!
— Gillie V (Mrs V) (@gilliev_v) August 25, 2015
James Nottingham håller nästan Zlatanklass!!#skolriksdag #skolatrelleborg pic.twitter.com/TMOVfQBBw0
— Michel (@theldabh) April 28, 2015
@JamesNottinghm is brilliant as always. You have to focus on progress, not achievement. If you do that, the sky is the limit. #skolriksdag
— Patrik Landström (@PatrikLandstrom) April 28, 2015
Thank you @JamesNottinghm for your #ACLF2016 input or as one colleague called it; 'the glue that made it all stick together' @AngusCouncil
— Dr Pauline Stephen (@GTCSPauline) November 29, 2016
What is POWER? Such a great demonstration about how to create cognitive conflict!!! Thank you @JamesNottinghm SO GOOD! ❤️ Even better than “I said draw a HOUSE!” @CorwinPress #AVL2019 pic.twitter.com/T3GFQiELYH
— Joseph Prosapio (@ProsapioJ) July 9, 2019
Spot the cock #FirstEverSelfie pic.twitter.com/LbDIXla0hY
— James Nottingham (@JamesNottinghm) May 19, 2014
How can you possibly sum up all the magic from a full day of #learning with @JamesNottinghm in a single #blog post?
— • Thaddeus Bourassa ~ M. Ed • (@ThaddeusBTeach) February 2, 2019
Well take a moment to read this thoughtful post by @AnnickRauch.
It's about as close as you can get. @louis_riel_sd #SJASD #ChallengingLearning @ChallengeLearn https://t.co/0zcjf64WKr
Totally starstrucked by Mr @JamesNottinghm in Gothenburgh today. Very inspireing.
— Paul Holm (@PalleHo) November 21, 2014
. @JamesNottinghm Thank you for being a great inspiration in #Tårnby today. The speak will make a great difference in our schools #PUC
— Elzebeth Wøhlk (@Elze_beth) March 24, 2015
By far, the highlight of the #AVL2017 so far was @JamesNottinghm Both the keynote and break out were beyond inspiring!
— Sweet Lou (@bergy1910) July 12, 2017
Absolutely loved @JamesNottinghm and his session on Feedback during #AVL2019. The wheels are turning and digesting everything I just witnessed. Wondering about how to bring Parents in on this. What happens when Ps’ advice/criticisms create an undesirable outcome for Ss? pic.twitter.com/Mi1glPMtrq
— Yau-Jau Ku (@yaujauku) July 9, 2019
James Nottingham håller nästan Zlatanklass!!#skolriksdag #skolatrelleborg pic.twitter.com/TMOVfQBBw0
— Michel (@theldabh) April 28, 2015
Thank you @JamesNottinghm for your #ACLF2016 input or as one colleague called it; 'the glue that made it all stick together' @AngusCouncil
— Dr Pauline Stephen (@GTCSPauline) November 29, 2016
Spot the cock #FirstEverSelfie pic.twitter.com/LbDIXla0hY
— James Nottingham (@JamesNottinghm) May 19, 2014
Every time I meet James he makes me think deeper about learning and teaching. What a great job he did yesterday evening in The Hague! @_bazalt @Bazaltgroep @JamesNottinghm @HCOactiviteiten https://t.co/CRAADbikSj
— Eveline Busch (@BuschEveline) October 4, 2019
Grateful to be a part of the West Aurora District 129 PD day on Friday! Thanks for allowing FIRST to provide 17 presenters to make this day a huge success. Closed out the day with an amazing keynote from @JamesNottinghm! #LearningFIRST #PD #leadership #education #iledchat pic.twitter.com/5c2TUfJ1b1
— FIRST Ed Resources (@1stEdResources) March 5, 2019
Every school needs a @JamesNottinghm in it at all times.. very inspiring.. can't wait to take VL to the next level with my class🤓💭 #ACLF2016
— Miss Higgins 🌸 (@MissHiggins6) November 29, 2016
Amazing lecture on the power of feedback from @jamesnottinghm #fireflylc pic.twitter.com/vhxUIO6Th0
— Computer Studies💻 (@StAugustinesCS) November 12, 2015
Great day with @JamesNottinghm here at St Chris, Bahrain! Engaging and full of humour. Love the "wobble"! I am going to be wobbling!
— Gillie V (Mrs V) (@gilliev_v) August 25, 2015
@JamesNottinghm is brilliant as always. You have to focus on progress, not achievement. If you do that, the sky is the limit. #skolriksdag
— Patrik Landström (@PatrikLandstrom) April 28, 2015
What is POWER? Such a great demonstration about how to create cognitive conflict!!! Thank you @JamesNottinghm SO GOOD! ❤️ Even better than “I said draw a HOUSE!” @CorwinPress #AVL2019 pic.twitter.com/T3GFQiELYH
— Joseph Prosapio (@ProsapioJ) July 9, 2019