Paul Main

This project is centred around the belief that we can all get better at learning. The brain haemorrhage I suffered changed the way I think about how our minds work. As well as being wonderfully creative, the brain can also be fragile. By embracing cognitive science and child development research, we can really make a difference to educational outcomes.

When I am not involved in this project you will find me developing girls football or drumming.

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Transforming Educational Theory into Practical Classroom Solutions

Paul Main is an educational innovator renowned for translating complex educational theories into accessible classroom practices. With a psychology degree from the University of Sunderland, Paul’s cognitive science expertise fuels the creation of intuitive, evidence-based learning methods.

Paul founded Structural Learning to develop hands-on educational tools such as the Writer’s Block, a manipulative resource promoting active, metacognitive learning and writing development. His pioneering methodologies have been central to various impactful educational research initiatives:
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- A collaboration with the University of Bedfordshire explored how physical mental modelling impacts students’ reading and writing, revealing significant improvements in literacy outcomes through structured block-building methods.
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- Extensive school-based research demonstrated substantial benefits, including increased student engagement, improved cognitive processes in writing, and enhanced oracy development across diverse age groups.
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- As a facilitator, Paul delivered professional development workshops for influential educational organisations, including NFER and Curious Minds.

An active contributor to global educational dialogues, Paul works closely with international initiatives like Thinking Schools South Africa and prestigious educational bodies such as the Independent Schools Association and the Association of Prep Schools.

‍Professional Accolades & Collaborations:
‍Fellow, Royal Society of Arts
‍Fellow, Chartered College of Teaching
‍Workshop facilitator, Organización de los Estados Americanos (OAS)

‍Driven by the principle that "learning is learnable," Paul Main continues to shape classroom practices worldwide, empowering learners to think critically, creatively, and independently.