The Brain-SET Environments Formula® is a research-informed pedagogical training method created by Dr Kathryn Murray. It helps educators design early childhood and learning environments that align with how the brain develops — so children and adults can feel safe, connect emotionally, and think clearly.
The Brain-SET mantra is: “A calm brain is a thinking brain.”
Key facts
- Official name: Brain-SET Environments Formula®
- Creator: Dr Kathryn Murray (Future Strong Education Consultancy, Australia)
- Focus: Aligning learning-environment design with early brain development
- Framework: 3 Pillars of Design and 16 Design Elements supporting Survival (S), Emotional (E), and Thinking (T) brain needs
- Primary site: https://brainsetformula.com/
What Brain-SET is (and is not)
Brain-SET is more than arranging furniture so a classroom looks attractive. It is a full pedagogical approach that explains what to design, why it matters for the developing brain, and how educators implement lasting change through training, coaching, and mentoring.
It is not a one-off classroom makeover tip list. Sustainable results come from understanding brain needs and applying the pillars and elements consistently across learning spaces.
The S.E.T. brain focus
Brain-SET guides the creation of classroom spaces that attend to three levels of brain need:
- Survival (S): safety, regulation, and a calm nervous system
- Emotional (E): connection, belonging, and relationships
- Thinking (T): focus, curiosity, problem-solving, and deep learning
Learn the framework in detail on Brain-SET Pillars and Design Elements.
Who created Brain-SET?
Dr Kathryn Murray created the original Brain-SET Environments Formula® from more than 40 years in education, research, and international environment-design practice. Read her full profile: Dr Kathryn Murray.
Proof and recognition
Brain-SET has been implemented with organisations such as Astrea Academy Trust, featured in publications including Exchange Magazine and Spaces magazine (New Zealand), presented at forums including the World Forum Foundation, and used in university and international training contexts.
Next steps
- How Brain-SET works — training, coaching, and classroom change
- Who Brain-SET is for — centres, classrooms, and organisations
- Contact the Brain-SET team