Our Mission

At Building Brilliant Brains, we empower students, educators, and schools through neuroscience-informed strategies that unlock learning potential. Founded by experienced educator and neurochemistry specialist Teresa Quigg, we help transform the way learning is understood, delivered, and retained.

Founder & Educator

Teresa Quigg has spent over 38 years inspiring students and teachers. Her early love for chemistry grew into a passion for how the brain works after meeting some of the pioneers working in modern neurochemistry research. For the past 15 years, Teresa has turned new brain research into clear, practical ways to help students learn better. She shares this through lively presentations and practical workshops for students, parents, teachers and school leaders.

She is also an experienced author of A Level Chemistry textbooks for AQA and GCSE books for CCEA. She spent many years as an examiner for CCEA and lectured at Queen’s University Belfast. Now through Building Brilliant Brains, Teresa helps schools use brain science to improve learning and teaching for everyone.
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Teresa's extensive career spans teaching, examining, authorship, and university lecturing:

  • Author of A Level Chemistry (AQA) and GCSE Chemistry (CCEA) textbooks

  • Chair of Examiners for CCEA GCSE Chemistry (1997–2024)

  • Principal Examiner and subsequently Chief Examiner, GCSE Double Award Science (1992–2015)

  • Chemistry Lecturer at INTO International Study Centre, Queen’s University Belfast (2006–2008)

  • Volunteer Contributor with The Royal Society of Chemistry

In 2024, Teresa completed her work with CCEA to fully focus on Building Brilliant Brains.

Our Experience & Credentials

What We Offer:

  • Using the most current neurochemical research, the engaging presentations introduce students to successful learning behaviours by explaining how their learning brain works. These colourful, animated presentations are tailored to both the age and current brain knowledge of the students

  • Workshops give students the opportunity to explore selected learning behaviours and discover how they can fit them into their daily routines both in school and at home. They learn how to deal with the large volume of content for GCSE, A level , Leaving Cert  and beyond. They learn how to ensure the correct ideas and concepts stick, how to retrieve complex ideas and concepts at will. They discover how to cement, improve and expand neural networks. These busy and engaging workshops use live content and materials which the students are currently working through. The workshops are tailored to both age and current level of knowledge of the learning brain.

  • Teresa works with Senior Management Teams to integrate neuroscience-informed strategies into school improvement plans. Pre-consultations ensure that presentations and workshops align with your school’s ethos and needs.

  • With many non-specialists teaching Chemistry, Teresa offers bespoke support to build their confidence and competence. From language use in lessons to scaffolding schemes of work and managing practical classes—this service ensures high-quality teaching across all Key Stages.