Human beings are the only mammals on the planet whose thinking, feeling and learning brain develops extensively after birth. Young brains are wired for growth but their anatomical structure is exquisitely sensitive to experience, shaped for good or bad by what children live through and the relationships they form. Nurture shapes nature as much, if not more, than nature shapes nurture. By understanding how the brain interacts with its environment, we can positively influence a child’s brain development, even one exposed to unrelenting adversity. Neuroscience shows us the critical structures to harness embedded potential and change a child’s trajectory. This session will explore core neurodevelopmental principles to inform how we can design environments – schools chief among them – to amplify cognitive development, learning readiness and potential in every child.