S2 E31 | How Flipped Learning Gets Students to Actually Do the Prep (And Spend More Time on Exam Skills) with Henry Exham

Are you spending lesson time teaching content that students could have prepared at home?  

In this episode, I'm joined by Henry Exham to talk about flipped learning. What it actually is, why it works, and how to implement it in a way that students genuinely engage with.

We get into the practical side: how to set clear, directed pre-lesson tasks, how to model the process so students know what's expected, and why this approach means less failure, more independent learning, and more time in lessons where it really matters — on the hard exam skills.  

We also explore his Teaching and Learning leadership role, where there's been a real shift in how lesson observations and lesson plans are approached. It's no longer about listing activities — it's about demonstrating that your teaching is grounded in the science of learning. We unpack what that looks like in practice and why this shift matters for professional development and classroom impact.  

Whether you're new to flipped learning or looking to refine how observations work in your school, this episode is packed with takeaways.  

⏱️ WHAT WE COVER: 

- What flipped learning is and why it reduces failure 

- How to set pre-lesson tasks students will actually complete 

- More lesson time for exam skills and deeper questioning 

- Developing independent learners 

- The new purpose of lesson observations 

- How lesson plans should reflect the science of learning  

• Website - www.mrexham.com 
• Biology Channel - https://youtube.com/mrexham 
• EdTech Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MrExhamsEdTech 
• Linkedin - Henry Exham https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryexham/  
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mrexham?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc 
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mrexham/