SUMMER 2025
Welcome to the second edition of Ignite, where we continue to explore the intersection of research, reflection and classroom practice. This edition invites us to look beyond academic achievement and consider the broader development of students - as thoughtful, ethical and reflective learners.
ISSUE 2 We begin with practical strategies for embedding Character Education across school life, from subject teaching to co-curricular involvement. We then turn to the power of reflective thinking how we can explicitly teach it, make it social and embed it as a habit. Finally, a teacher’s narrative challenges us to see our lessons through the eyes of our students, prompting reflection on what really supports learning. As always, we round off with ideas for further reading and opportunities for professional growth.
Meet the authors:
ANDY BEARD Andy Beard teaches History and Politics at KGS, where he is also the Assistant Head responsible for Co-curricular and Character Education. He is interested in how co-curricular opportunities shape resilience, leadership and personal growth and the transformative power of education both within and in particular beyond the classroom.
BETH KANDEMIR
TIM BENSON
Beth Kandemir teaches in the English Department at KGS. She recently completed a doctorate in Education at the University of Sheffield, investigating reflective thinking and online teaching and learning practices. Research interests include curriculum design, education policy and the application of both cognitive science and emerging technologies in education.
Tim Benson is Head of STEAM at KGS, teaching Physics and Computer Science. He is particularly interested in improving student engagement through Physical Computing and discovery learning.