Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe: Recent Episodes
Tom Sherrington & Emma Turner
Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, UK-based and internationally-recognized education authors and consultants, have a lot on their minds. From best practices in classroom teaching to sustaining PD that makes an impact, they’re aware of the techniques that work, those that don’t, and the gaps that exist in education systems, within and across nations. In this podcast, they present proven strategies and interview experts from around the globe to share timely insights on K-12 trends; research-based approaches in need of greater reach; and innovative strategies to close global gaps.
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Christine Counsell, founder of Opening Worlds and a key figure in curriculum development. Christine discusses her journey from a history teacher to running the history PGCE course at Cambridge University and eventually founding Opening Worlds. She explains how her company supports primary schools in developing a fully resourced curriculum that integrates history, geography, and religious education with a strong focus on oracy and storytelling. The conversation delves into the importance of cumulative sufficiency in curriculum design, the unique opportunities primary education offers for connecting different subjects, and the critical role of vocabulary in helping students navigate and understand the world. Christine also shares insights into the process of training teachers to implement these curricula effectively, emphasizing the value of storytelling and narrative in engaging students.
Christine Counsell was a history teacher, subject lead, and deputy headteacher before she led the history PGCE course at the University of Cambridge for 19 years. At Cambridge, she worked nationally and internationally with policy makers, scholars, teachers and teacher educators in history education. Christine later became Director of Education of a multi-academy trust serving primary and secondary schools in areas of disadvantage. She has published widely, including many curriculum resources, and is editor of the journal, Teaching History. Follow her on X @Counsell_C
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
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On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Nikki Sullivan and Rachel Higginson to delve into the significance of oracy in education. The discussion explores the multifaceted role of oracy, emphasizing its importance not just in speaking and listening but in fostering confident and effective communication. Nikki and Rachel highlight the necessity of integrating speaking and listening skills into the wider curriculum, as well as the importance of creating communication-conducive learning environments and the value of teacher oracy in fostering a supportive culture within schools. Throughout the episode, the group provides practical examples and strategies for developing presentation skills in students, advocating for a balance between structured guidance and natural expression.
Nikki Sullivan is Deputy Headteacher working in a comprehensive secondary school in Bradford. She has worked in both pastoral and academic senior leadership and now leads on teaching & learning and staff development. Nikki is working on a new book called Unlocking Oracy which will be coming out soon. Follow her on X @Nikki__Sullivan
Rachel Higginson has been working in education for 25 years. Her aim is to support young people to develop the knowledge, skills and character to make a difference in the modern world. She is a keynote speaker, school improvement facilitator, curriculum designer, primary adviser, a collaborator with Myatt & Co, and also the curator of the Finding my Voice project. Follow her on X @creativeHigg
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
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On this bonus episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington talks to Bron Ryrie Jones about responsive teaching. The two discuss the hurdles of gathering information in real-time and the procedural changes needed to embed responsive habits into teaching. Bron emphasises the difficulty of overcoming embedded teaching habits, while Tom underscores the importance of every child's participation in the classroom. They explore practical strategies like cold calling, reframing questions, and creating a classroom culture where it's okay to be wrong. Tom and Bron also address the gap between teaching intentions and actual classroom dynamics, advocating for short feedback loops and planned checks for understanding. With real-life examples and practical advice, they offer valuable insights into making responsive teaching a seamless part of everyday instruction.
Bron Ryrie Jones supports teachers and instructional leaders to develop their expertise. She has worked with over 20,000 teachers and leaders around Australia and abroad, and is a sought-after designer of professional improvement programs. Bron is a published author on teacher learning and has has designed and delivered large-scale bespoke professional development programs for varied organisations throughout Australia. Follow Bron on X @BronRyrieJones
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on X @teacherhead
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On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Jade Pearce and Isaac Moore, co-authors of a new book, Bjork & Bjork's Desirable Difficulties in Action. The four of them talk about what the term 'desirable difficulties' refers to, and how using challenging pedagogical strategies can actually aid pupils' learning. Jade and Isaac explain much of Richard and Elizabeth Bjork's research in succinct chunks with practical examples. This includes parts on spacing, interleaving, retrieval practice, independent study strategies, and more.
Jade Pearce is Trust Head of Education at The de Ferrers Trust. She is the Evidence Lead in Education for the Research Schools Network and a regular speaker and presenter at education conferences. Jade previously authored the best-selling book 'What Every Teacher Needs to Know: How to embed evidence-informed teaching and learning in your school’. Follow her on Twitter @PearceMrs
Isaac Moore is a Deputy Headteacher with a National Professional Qualification for Headship who focuses much of his work on education professional development. He is also an expert in reading and curriculum assessment. Follow him on Twitter @isaacmoore7
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
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In this head to head episode of Mind the Gap, Tom and Emma discuss educational ideas that have recently captivated them, as well as some of the latest developments in the field.
Emma has been thinking about the ways in which even beautifully designed curricula need well thought out task design to keep classes from becoming too formulaic across subjects. Tom, on the other hand, is looking at the newly announced panel on oracy, acknowledging both that people tend to worry about government mandates, but also that we need more pupils speaking with confidence.
Later, Emma brings up the idea of expertise, inspired by the book Expert: Understanding the Path to Mastery by Roger Kneebone. Finally, the two discuss the limits on classroom observation and Tom gives his thoughts about the recent conferences he attended across the pond in the United States, including a ResearchEd. Listen to the full episode to hear all about it.
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by René Kneyber and Valentina Devid, co-founders of Toets Revolutie in the Netherlands and co-authors of the upcoming book Formative action: From instrument to design. The four of them talk about the concept of formative action, which is purposefully named to steer clear of the sometimes-problematic term 'assessment'. They walk through the five steps involved in formative action, and highlight how it can be empowering for both teachers - aiding their learning processes - and students - giving them agency and independence.
René Kneyber is a former mathematics teacher and currently a consultant and book publisher in the Netherlands. He has written and edited multiple high-profile books on classroom authority and discipline, including the Dutch book Het Alternatief and the Dutch translation of Embedding Formative Assessment by Dylan Wiliam. Follow him on Twitter @rkneyber_EN
Valentina Devid is a co-founder and trainer at Toets Revolutie. She is an experienced secondary school teacher, assessment expert, speaker, and education consultant now primarily focussed on formative assessment. Follow her on Twitter @valentinadevid
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Carl Hendrick, author of two books about the science of teaching and learning and a third about bridging the gap between research and practice. Carl said he approached finding the research papers for his books in the same way that he would have compiled an album of seminal classic rock tracks, but with the criterion of having the greatest use for teachers and school leaders. The discussion turned to how education research is conducted and how "a lot of debates in education are people in different stages talking past one another". Carl also says that we now have a good understanding of the science of learning, but the three agree that especially in the early years and early primary education, even research-proven pedagogical practices like interleaving can't take the place of play-based learning, for example. Listen now to hear more on how teachers can really engage with educational research.
Carl Hendrick works at the Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam where his focus is on bridging the gap between research and practice. Carl was a secondary English teacher for 18 years in a range of different contexts and completed his PhD in education at King’s College London. He is the co-author of How Learning Happens, How Teaching Happens, and What Does this Look Like in the Classroom. Follow Carl on Twitter @C_Hendrick
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Jon Hutchinson. The three of them talk about Jon's role at Reach which aims to weave five important threads into their community partners' educational systems: curricular coherence, understanding the principles of great teaching, maintaining relationships, understanding the community, and strong leadership. A large part of the conversation focused on the current curricular incoherence that plagues many schools. Jon says about teachers, "You're just one small part of that kid's journey, and it is incumbent on you and on the broader system to think about that journey in a much more coherent way." Finally, the trio discuss Reach's booklets, the Meno Academy videos Jon makes with his brother, and the effectiveness of instructional coaching.
Jon Hutchinson is a former assistant headteacher of Reach Academy Feltham now director of Reach Foundation. He has taught across both KS1 and KS2, and also tutors on Ambition Institute’s Masters in Expert Teaching. Jon has sat on expert panels for the Department for Education, Ofsted and the Standards and Testing Agency. Follow Jon on Twitter @jon_hutchinson_
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Amanda Wilson. The three of them talk through Amanda's unorthodox journey to headship, and the traits that she has found most important throughout her educational career: confidence, authenticity, and empowerment. Those three themes shine through in her book, Letters to a Young Generation: Aspiring School Leaders, and Amanda says they are especially important for Black leaders, whose confidence can be mistaken for aggressiveness, and whose authenticity can be difficult to maintain without a strong support network. Amanda believes it is crucial for leaders to keep an eye out for promising candidates and "send the elevator back down" to help bring them up, which is the idea behind her company Crux Leadership Development.
Amanda is the headteacher of St Alfege with St Peter’s CofE Primary School and has 25 years’ experience in the education sector. She is a qualified coach with an MA in Coaching and Mentoring from Oxford Brookes University and is an EMCC Senior Practitioner. She has a track record for supporting teachers in securing leadership roles, and in 2023 Amanda published the book Letters to a Young Generation: Aspiring School Leaders which aims to encourage the next generation of Black school leaders. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaWilson910
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Professor Rob Coe. The three of them talk through the history of Rob's work as a teacher and then a researcher. Rob's work on the EEF Toolkit and the Sutton Trust report highlighted existing evidence about cost-effective interventions, and the publications shattered a lot of educators' previously held beliefs. Rob says that subsequent arguments with teachers led to discussions about pedagogy, and he maintains that educators need to be focussed on actual learning, not proxies for learning. At the end of the episode, Tom, Emma, and Rob talk about the latest educational craze - instructional coaching - and what the research actually says about it, as well as where research about coaching is headed.
Professor Rob Coe is Director of Research and Development at Evidence-Based Education and a Senior Associate at the Education Endowment Foundation. He was previously Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University, where he worked for 20 years doing research, evaluation, teaching and policy engagement. Rob was a co-author of the EEF’s Teaching and Learning Toolkit, the Sutton Trust report ‘What makes great teaching?’ and the ‘Developing Great Teaching’ report for the Teacher Development Trust. Follow him on Twitter at @ProfCoe
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Zaretta Hammond. The three of them talk through much of Zaretta's work, identifying the components of the ready for rigor framework, the differences between 'shallow' and 'deep' culture, and how culturally responsive teaching involves leveraging cultures to create a richer learning environment. They also cover how to build a rapport with students, the idea of 'active demandingness', and finally close on the idea that teaching isn't the art of being nice - it is readying students for rigour (or rigor), as there is a natural joy and satisfaction that emerges from rigorous learning.
Zaretta Hammond is a former classroom English teacher who has been doing instructional design, school coaching, and professional development around the issues of equity, literacy, and culturally responsive teaching for the past 18 years. She has trained instructional coaches in reading development, especially targeted at students of colour and English learners, and is the author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain. Follow her on Twitter @Ready4rigor and check out her blog at ready4rigor.com
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by educational power couple Dr Pippa and Bradley Busch. The four discuss the effects of COVID on children's development, how to make the school environment more low stakes to make students more comfortable, and their favourite classroom strategies to help pupils learn better.
Dr Pippa Busch is an Educational and Child Psychologist with over 20 years of experience of working in schools and children's services. She is an evidence-based practitioner specialising in ASD and attachment. Follow her on Twitter @PippaBusch
Bradley Busch is a Health and Care Professions Council registered psychologist and director of InnerDrive. He has worked with over 300 schools helping them use psychological research to improve learning. In sport, he has worked with Premier league footballers and has consulted with Team GB Olympians and Paralympians. He is the co-author of the best-selling book The Science of Learning. Follow him on Twitter @BradleyKBusch
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by special guest Lekha Sharma. The trio discusses how to build a school culture, and Lekha talks about how she believes a positive school culture is a prerequisite for great curriculum and pedagogy.
Lekha Sharma is a School Improvement Lead for the Avanti Schools Trust, leading on curriculum and assessment and has over ten years of experience teaching and leading in schools in a range of contexts. She is the author of the recently published book Building Culture: A handbook to harnessing human nature to create strong school teams. Follow Lekha on Twitter @teacherfeature2
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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In this episode, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner delve into the profound insights and powerful moments experienced during their conversations with incredible guests. They highlight the importance of making primary education accessible to all and teachers' duty to leave a lasting legacy through their teaching.
Tom and Emma discuss the significance of routines and norms that support teachers in creating successful learning environments. They ponder why some of Tom's ideas receive criticism despite their potential to greatly improve schools. They marvel at the transformative approach of Mark McCourt, whose teaching style creates a connected set of ideas starting from simple concepts.
In their interviews, the duo expresses deep appreciation for the expertise shared by Dylan Wiliam, Efrat Furst, and Sarah Cottingham, emphasizing how these sessions serve as professional development opportunities. They also explore the value of cognitive science research in primary practice and its relevance for secondary teachers.
Throughout the episode, Tom and Emma spotlight inspiring individuals such as John Thompson, Johnny Utley, Caroline Derbyshire, Vic Goddard, and the enigmatic storyteller Sufian Sadiq. They acknowledge the influence these guests have had on their thinking and the impact they have made within the education community.
As hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner reflect on the impact of their guests, it becomes evident that Mind The Gap is more than just a series of interviews. The platform introduces listeners to various voices, ideas, and strategies that can transform the educational landscape. From influential academic figures to inspiring stories of resilience, each episode adds to the collective knowledge and drive for positive change. As listeners, we are encouraged to take these lessons and inspirations into our professional journeys, creating a brighter future for education.
Participants
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 2: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 3: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the Flexible Working Narrative for Education, Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership, Simplicitus Altius: Leading the Interconnected Primary Curriculum and Initium: Cognitive science and research-informed primary practice. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by special guest Ben Newmark. The conversation begins with the trio discussing the critical topic of breaking barriers and embracing individual differences in education while also sharing their insights, experiences, and concerns regarding the current education system and its approach toward catering to the diverse needs of students. From skepticism towards methods that only focus on clever children to the importance of not categorizing all students under the umbrella term of SEND, this episode challenges conventional thinking and calls for a more inclusive and personalized approach to education.
As the conversation draws to a close, it becomes clear that breaking barriers and embracing individual differences in education is essential. This episode of Mind The Gap offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by the education system while advocating for a more inclusive and personalized approach. It serves as a reminder that education should be a transformative journey, empowering students of all abilities to reach their full potential. Only by embracing the uniqueness of each learner can we unlock a future where education truly knows no limits.
Participants
Ben Newmark is a highly experienced teacher and senior leader with over 20 years of expertise. He is also the author of the book "Why Teach?", which aims to provide guidance to schools and teachers by answering the questions that Ben had struggled with throughout his career. Through his blog, Ben Newmark, Ben talks about various topics such as curriculum, explicit instruction, intelligent assessment, leadership, and history. Additionally, you can follow Ben on Twitter @bennewmark.
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 2: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 3: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the Flexible Working Narrative for Education, Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership, Simplicitus Altius: Leading the Interconnected Primary Curriculum and Initium: Cognitive science and research-informed primary practice. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On the latest installment of the Mr Barton Maths Podcast, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner assume the roles of guests and engage in a lively discussion.
For this special episode, Craig Barton and Ollie Lovell are joined by Emma Turner and Tom Sherrington to discuss coaching, the view from the back of a lesson, pre-testing, implied competencies, and more! Access the show-notes here: mrbartonmaths.com/blog/tools-and-tips-for-teachers-6
Ollie Lovell is a maths and science teacher from Australia, an author, and my longtime, bitter podcasting rival. We have decided to get together once a month to share three things we have each learned and get the other’s take on it. This month, we have guests! We are joined by the fantastic primary specialist Emma Turner and Walkthrus guru Tom Sherrington from the Mind the Gap podcast.
This episode was initially published on Mr Barton Maths Podcast.
Craig Barton interviews guests from the wonderful world of education about their approaches to teaching, educational research, and more. All show notes, resources, and videos here: https://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner delve into the intricacies of teacher training, coaching, and the hurdles faced during implementation. They explore the importance of listening to personal experiences, the value of partnerships, the evolving role of coaching, and the need for a holistic approach.
The episode begins with a powerful observation: rather than defending teacher training programs when confronted with negative individual experiences, we should listen and learn from those experiences. Tom and Emma stress the importance of considering these personal stories, allowing them to shape improvements in the sector. They highlight that teacher training is a product of various factors, including higher education and school placements, and therefore, a deeper understanding of individuals' journeys is crucial.
The conversation moves towards a call for viewing teacher training as a holistic, integrated process over three years rather than focusing solely on immediate readiness. Tom and Emma discuss that theoretical input from higher education at the beginning of training may be more impactful, considering the partnership with schools. Through this partnership, organizations like Steplab come into play as valuable resources and platforms for instructional coaching.
The episode touches on the newly published criteria for trainees, highlighting several changes that mainly affect those in their early career stages. One significant change is the increase in teaching hours, with trainees starting with 15 hours. The hosts express concerns about the impact of this heavy teaching load on trainee retention, workload, and the quality of their teaching sessions. They question how schools will manage this change and allocate curriculum hours for trainees while doubting the ability of trainees and schools to cope with these adjustments.
The hosts delve into the Early Career Framework (ECF) and the importance of instructional coaching for novice and experienced teachers. They express concern that experienced teachers may forget the challenges newcomers face and stress the need for ongoing support throughout a teacher's career. Tom and Emma highlight the mindset shift required when coaching a teacher during a lesson, moving from top-down judgments to a collaborative and supportive approach. They applaud schools for embracing this cultural change and fostering an environment that nurtures teachers' progress and development.
Participants
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 2: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 3: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the Flexible Working Narrative for Education, Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership, Simplicitus Altius: Leading the Interconnected Primary Curriculum and Initium: Cognitive science and research-informed primary practice. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom and Emma are joined by special guest Alom Shaha, a teacher with over 25 years of experience. Alom shares his journey from working in television to rediscovering his passion for teaching and the sense of community it provides.
During the conversation, Alom discusses his upcoming children's book that aims to teach young readers about scientific discoveries, specifically how rainbows are formed (How To Find a Rainbow). Inspired by his children, Alom found it easy to develop the characters in the book, as they were based on his daughters.
The discussion also delves into Alom’s belief that the teaching profession is undervalued when compared to other professions. He expresses his deep frustration with the numerous challenges and immense pressure that teachers constantly face. He also shares his experience writing a book about atheism and non-belief for young people, discussing the positive feedback he received and the importance of allowing people from Muslim backgrounds to openly explore atheism (The Young Atheist’s Handbook). He addresses the complexities of identity and the role Twitter plays in muddying the waters. Reflecting on his upbringing and his children, Alom underscores the importance of nurturing children's curiosity and providing access to resources and supportive environments for learning. He takes responsibility for creating a positive learning environment and hopes that all children can encounter teachers and peers who encourage their thirst for knowledge.
The conversation concludes with Alom sharing the challenges he faced while writing his current book, the constraints placed on him, and his belief that science should be taught in a way that highlights its interconnectedness and cultural significance (Why Don't Things Fall Up?: and Six Other Science Lessons You Missed at School). He emphasizes the need for science to be accessible to everyone, as it allows humans to make sense of the world and share their understanding.
Participants
Alom Shaha was born in Bangladesh but grew up in London. A science teacher, writer, and filmmaker, he has spent most of his professional life sharing his passion for science and education with the public. Alom has produced, directed, and appeared in a number of television programs for broadcasters, such as the BBC, and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for Science, Technology, and the Arts (NESTA) and the Nuffield Foundation. Alom has represented his community as an elected politician and has volunteered at various charitable organizations. Follow Alom on Twitter @alomshaha and read more about him at www.alomshaha.com
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 2: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 3: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She founded ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership, and Simplicitus Altius: Leading the Interconnected Primary Curriculum. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind the Gap, Caroline Derbyshire joins Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment for educators.
The trio discussed the importance of creating a culture of excellence in education, particularly in subject departments. They emphasized the significance of granting teachers the independence and assistance they need to enhance their professional development, ultimately improving the quality of education.
To wrap up, Tom and Emma conveyed their gratitude to their audience and pledged to provide fresh and captivating content featuring exciting guests in the upcoming season.
Episode Outline:
(:01) Creating an Exceptional Comprehensive School
(6:14) Cultivating a Culture of Excellence
(13:10) Closing the Gap: Teacher Professional Development
(19:35) Balancing Autonomy and Support in School Improvement
(26:41) Challenges in Education Policy
(33:42) Challenges in Education Funding and Support
(47:11) The Importance of School Audits
(53:24) End of Season Gratitude
About the participants:
Caroline Derbyshire is a respected figure in the education sector and the CEO of the Saffron Academy Trust, which includes 9 schools in Uttlesford and Braintree. She is also a National Leader of Education and chairs the Headteachers’ Roundtable.
Caroline is passionate about providing high-quality comprehensive education and promoting social justice. She is known for being willing to challenge education policy that impedes these goals. Follow Caroline on Twitter@Morsecat
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 2: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 3: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership, and Simplicitus Altius: Leading the Interconnected Primary Curriculum. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington, and Emma Turner have the pleasure of being joined by Hywel Roberts, a highly accomplished author, educator, storyteller, and humorist.
This episode provides a holistic perspective on how to create an effective learning environment in the classroom. The trio discussed the importance of enthusiasm, engagement, imagination, protection, storytelling, and agile education to make abstract concepts accessible and captivate students. They explored the use of warmth, humor, and storytelling to draw students in, the need for imagination pedagogy and protecting students in learning, and the empowering elements of storytelling and imagination in education.
Lastly, the conversation highlighted the need to develop the ability to imagine processes and embrace agile education for a more innovative approach to teaching and learning.
About the participants:
Hywel Roberts has been a teacher for over thirty years. His reputation has grown hugely since he stepped out of the full-time classroom. Hywel has found an incredible and innovative niche in the world of model teaching, contributing to and advising curriculum designers and innovators from Barnsley to Brussels, from Cairo to Cleethorpes. Hywel leads the PGCE program in Drama at Huddersfield University and contributes to the Master's program in Drama and Creative Writing at Leeds Beckett University. Hywel is a regular contributor to conferences, including The Sunday Telegraph Festival of Education, Northern Rocks, Practical Pedagogies, and The University of Belfast Thinking Conference.
Hywel is the author of Oops! Getting Children to Learn Accidentally and Uncharted Territories. He writes a regular column for the Times Educational Supplement about his encounters as a ‘traveling teacher’ and a weekly show ‘Hywel’s Teacher Stories’ on Teacher Hug Radio. Hywel’s number one Bestseller on Amazon, Botheredness was published this year. Hywel is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Fellow of the Charted College of Teaching. Follow Hywel on Twitter: @hywel_roberts
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 2: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Teaching WalkThrus 3: Five-step guides to instructional coaching, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership, and Simplicitus Altius: Leading the Interconnected Primary Curriculum. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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In this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom and Emma reflect on past guests and Emma’s new book Simplicitus Altius: Leading the Interconnected Primary Curriculum.
Tom and Emma discuss the lack of shock within the profession regarding the amount of stress people feel and how it potentially can lead to such tragedies is surprising. We must look at the high-stress system to make it more supportive and encourage leaders to improve. Our guests, emphasized the importance of finding the right match for a school, leading with passion, worth, and a deep sense of achievement.
This episode also touched on the concept of multi novice status, recognizing that children arrive at secondary school with more proficiency in certain subjects, while still developing in others. It can be challenging to teach standalone subjects in primary school, especially with children still novice in multiple areas simultaneously. Thus, the primary curriculum should be taught in interconnected ways rather than as isolated subjects.
Overall, this episode offers critiques, reflections, and insights into the education profession while providing resources for teachers and school leaders to improve their practice.
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership.
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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In this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom and Emma are joined by Vic Goddard. The group discusses Vic’s position in British Education, particularly his role as a leader and a role model for head teachers and school leadership across the UK. Vic’s first foray into thought leadership was the BAFTA-nominated documentary series Educating Essex, a seven-part series following a group of GCSE students and the staff who teach them. Since then, Vic has continued as a thought leader in British education and provided opportunities for leadership connections.
Overall this episode highlights the strengths of bold leadership. In this case, bold does not mean brash or dominative; it means empathetic and caring, and open to different perspectives. Particularly in education, as this conversation shows, boldness in leadership can help students, teachers, and a community thrive.
About the participants:
Vic Goddard is the Principal of Passmores Academy and star of the BAFTA-nominated Channel 4 documentary Educating Essex. He is a proud South Londoner, having been raised on a council estate, then going on to train as a PE teacher and eventually becoming the nation's best-loved Headmaster thanks to his undeniable dedication to his school and the young people inside it. Follow Vic on Twitter @vicgoddard
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership.
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
Watch this episode on edCircuit.
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For this episode, special guest Jim Knight joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss his research and experience in professional development. The conversation focuses on instructional coaching, teacher professional learning, and recent research to improve teaching and learning.
In part one of this episode, the group discusses the differences between two of Jim’s books: The Impact Cycle and Seven Factors for Success. As Jim explores, his most recent book, Seven Factors for Success, focuses on a much more broad context for becoming a successful professional learner in teaching.
In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses the challenges, strategies, and realities of instructional coaches. Adaptation is a major key to making teachers better. Instructional coaches must understand factors like expertise, vocabulary, and background are essential to master effective coaching.
Overall this episode highlights the multifaceted nature of professional development and instructional coaching. Jim’s research-based frameworks are truly revolutionary, and by adopting them, schools can improve teaching and increase the successful outcomes of their students.
About the participants:
Jim Knight is a founding partner at Instructional Coaching Group (ICG) and a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. He has spent more than two decades studying professional learning, effective teaching, and instructional coaching. Knight has written several books, most recently, The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching: Seven Factors for Success with John Catt Educational. His articles on instructional coaching have been included in publications such as The Journal of Staff Development, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, and Teachers Teaching Teachers. Follow Jim on Twitter @jimknight99
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership.
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
Watch this episode on edCircuit.
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For this episode, special guest Sufian Sadiq joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss CPD, community engagement, and leadership in education. The conversation focuses on the interplay between meticulous planning and passionate engagement. It is clear throughout the conversation that Sufian has mastered the ability to engage and plan to make schools, communities, and learning thrive.
In part one of this episode, the group discusses Sufian’s role at the Chiltern Teaching School, primarily the CPD they provide and the community stewardship they take on in the communities they serve.
In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses the true definition of community engagement, particularly understanding the community you serve. As Sufian explores, DEI is a significant part of his work. Often overlooked factors in those conversations include discussions of class and background.
The episode closes by discussing the difference between knowledge acquisition and aspirational curriculum. Sufian explores that when given the right tools and resources, you can create learning environments for students to thrive. However, if you engage students and understand their backgrounds, you can begin to inspire them to broader long-term success.
As Emma points out, adding an interpersonal approach to learning adds a sustainable element to every lesson. There may be days when a lesson doesn’t particularly engage every student; however, when thinking and teaching aspirationally, you can connect with every student.
About the participants:
Sufian Sadiq is the Director of the Teaching School at Chiltern Learning Trust, responsible for overseeing two regional Hub areas in the South East of England. Chiltern Teaching Schools are one of the largest providers of CPD to the sector nationally. He is a passionate activist within the educational landscape around race, equity, and inclusion. Sufian is a Fellow and Board Member of the Chartered College of Teaching and a Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors Fellow. He plays an active role in numerous charitable organizations as a Trustee and holds key governance roles within educational organizations. Follow Sufian on Twitter @unleashing_me
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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For this episode, special guest Aisha Thomas joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss representation. The conversation focuses on Aisha’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work and expertise in training educators to increase representation, develop inclusive curriculum, and create a framework for anti-racism/anti-prejudice environments.
In part one of the episode, Aisha explores how she came to her ideas on why representation matters through stories of her lived experiences, exercises, and pedagogy surrounding DEI.
In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses addressing identity in the classroom. This part of the discussion focuses on what students and teachers take into the classroom. Aisha discusses how curriculum, classroom practices, and student engagement can make a difference in students’ value of themselves and their education.
About the participants:
Aisha Thomas is a teacher, author, speaker, and leader. In September 2016, Aisha became an Assistant Principal at an inner-city secondary school in Bristol. She is also an educational activist specializing in race and anti-racist practice. She founded Representation Matters, an organization dedicated to challenging the lack of representation and inequality in schools. Aisha is the author ofRepresentation Matters: Becoming an anti-racist educator. Follow Aisha on Twitter @itsaishathomas.
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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For this episode, special guest Sarah Cottingham joins Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss Sarah’s work and expertise in recent research, learning design, retrieval practice, neuroscience, learning schema, and professional development.
The conversation begins by exploring Sarah’s explosion onto the educational scene, her beginnings as a teacher, trying different strategies to enhance student learning, her movement into neuroscience, and her work with the Ambition Institute. A primary focus of this conversation is Sarah’s framework for neuroscience and learning which connects cutting-edge research with classroom realism.
In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses student learning, existing knowledge, teaching strategies, and professional development.
The episode closes with a discussion on the necessity of time to explore topics. As Sarah explores, self-explanation is essential, and there are hundreds of similar strategies in which you are rehearsing the connection between new content and existing knowledge. Sarah is truly a wealth of neuroscience, learning, and teaching knowledge.
About the participants:
Sarah Cottingham is a former English educator, researcher, writer, and author. She works as the Associate Dean of Learning Design for the Ambition Institute and is a professional development consultant. She runs the Overpracticed Blog, focusing on memory, retrieval practice, and learning design. She has an ‘In Action’ book with John Catt Educational in production that will be published in 2023. Follow Sarah on Twitter: @overpractised
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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For this episode, special guest Dylan Wiliam joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss good teaching practices, theories of student learning, and implementation.
The conversation begins by exploring the concept of “good teaching.” The trio discusses differentiating good teaching from successful teaching, student engagement, humility, successful teaching strategies, research on the value added of good teaching, and the quality of different assessments.
In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses the background of effective learning. A primary focus of this discussion is understanding the purpose of data and the importance of cognitive load theory. A key insight in this conversation is tackling the disparate learning skills of students and how understanding the factors of learning can increase student achievement.
The episode closes with a discussion on Dylan's upcoming book, Making Room for Impact: The 9p Deimplementation Guide for Educators, which will publish later this year. The book focuses on how implementation makes way for great teaching and learning.
About the participants:
Dylan Wiliam is an emeritus professor of educational assessment at the UCL Institute of Education. Dylan’s research and authorship focus on the professional development of teachers. His book,Inside the Black Box, is a seminal work on formative assessment. He has served in various leadership roles in the UK and has written numerous books, articles, and academic papers on development, assessment, and teaching. His most recent book Making Room for Impact: The 9p Deimplementation Guide for Educators, is expected to publish this year. Follow Dylan on Twitter @dylanwiliam
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From
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For this episode, special guest Efrat Furst joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss useful learning from a neuroscience perspective.
The conversation begins by exploring Efrat’s work at the Mofet Institute- a national institute in Israel that provides teacher training and research for teacher colleges. Efrat’s work at the Mofet Institute builds off her previous work at The Teaching and Learning Center at the University of Jerusalem. Efrat’s specialty is working with educators to teach the science of learning, utilizing her neuroscience background to create change in college, primary, and secondary classrooms.
In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses retrieval, effective teaching strategies, and useful learning. A major focus is making the most of learning moments. Efrat points out that the key to creating useful learning in the classroom is figuring out how students learn and building learning habits to ensure they can process, retrieve, and reconcile information.
About the participants:
Efrat Furst is a cognitive-neuroscientific researcher focusing on human learning and memory. Efrat’s expertise bridges the sciences of learning with teaching and learning in classrooms. Follow Efrat on Twitter @EfratFurst
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership.
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.
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For this episode, special guests Richard Selfridge and James Pembroke join hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss the effective uses of data.
The conversation begins by exploring the context for much of the data practices and initiatives. The beginning of the episode focuses on what Richard and James have seen in the past and how schools & governing bodies have taken the lessons of the past to create the systems in play across education in the UK today. Some topics include the data wave, challenging assumptions, data efficiency, and levels-based data.
About the participants:
Richard Selfridge is a primary school teacher and writer on education. He has written on education for several publications and has been a speaker at events across the UK. His books Databusting for Schools and Dataproof Your School (co-authored with James Pembroke) look at the purpose and uses of data in education. Follow Richard on Twitter @Databusting.
James Pembroke is an independent Data Analyst and Advisor with 14 years of experience in primary, secondary, and post-16 sectors. James is the co-author of Dataproof Your School. He currently works with both Insight Tracking and Sig+, working through educational data and trends. Follow James on Twitter @jpembroke.
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little LearnersFollow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
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As a special wrap-up of 2022, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner reflect back on 2022 and celebrate an excellent year of Mind The Gap!
Instead of their normal education ‘sparring session,’ Tom and Emma took this opportunity to discuss the topics, resources, and people that made an impression on them this year. Tom’s discoveries focus on events, conferences, blogs, and individuals. Emma’s resources primarily focus on books and reading lists for teachers and use in the primary classroom. This conversation highlights issues, questions, and various debates across education in 2022 and the people leading the charge to a brighter future in education. We look forward to more guests and thoughtful education discussions in 2023!
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
To watch the video of this episode and get links to all of the resources mentioned, visit edcircuit.com.
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Special guest Jamie Thom joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss slow teaching strategies, supporting teachers and the profession of teaching, and bringing joy to the classroom. The conversation begins by exploring supporting teachers and how to attract extremely talented individuals into the profession. Jamie’s focus on joy in the classroom brings out some key insights into the roles of the teacher and how to best support the expansion of the teaching profession.
About the participants:
Jamie Thom has taught English and worked in leadership positions in schools across the UK. He is the host of both the TES English teacher podcast and The Well Teacher podcast and writes regularly for TES and a range of other publications. He is the author of Slow Teaching and, most recently, A Quiet Education. Follow Jamie @teachgratitude1.
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership. Follow Emma @emma_turner75
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For this episode, special guest Amarbeer Singh Gill joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss Singh’s new book and the newest book in the ‘In Action’ series for JohnCatt Educational, Dunlosky's Strengthening the Student Toolbox in Action. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode.
The conversation begins by exploring Dunlosky's theories of learning and their applicability to the foundations of learning. Although education theory can be weighted and often quite academic, Singh focuses on the practical perspective of Dunlosky’s theory, contextualizing the work with effective strategies and a well-rounded framework for teachers.
Amarbeer Singh Gill is a lead practitioner of secondary maths and a teacher educator. Amarbeer has written blogs for the Education Endowment Foundation's research schools and worked with teachers and school leaders to help think about how to make even more teachers evidence-informed, always with the goal to keep getting better outcomes for the students they work with. His book, Dunlosky's Strengthening the Student Toolbox in Action, was published with JohnCatt Educational this year. Follow Amarbeer @InspiredLearn_
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Special guest Becky Allen joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss teaching, learning, and constructs of instruction from an academic perspective. The conversation begins by exploring the large questions of education that Becky has a unique perspective on as an academic and in her role at Teacher Tapp. Becky specializes in the complexities and evidence-based understanding of large issues like curriculum, teacher training, parent communication, teacher feedback, student psychology, and more. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode.
In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses breaking down the assumptions of education and the roots of disagreements on curriculum. The data behind this discussion primarily comes from Becky’s experience with Teacher Tapp, and her strong resolve to rectify misconceptions goes hand in hand with her everyday work with surveying teachers.
Participants:
Becky Allen is a Co-founder and Chief Analyst of Teacher Tapp. In addition to her entrepreneurship, she is a professor of education at Brighton University and an author of several books, including The Teacher Gap and The Next Big Thing in School Improvement. Follow Becky @profbeckyallen
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, Follow Emma @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner continue their Q&A series, asking each other questions based on pressing issues they see in education today. Tom’s questions primarily focus on budget allocation, student directed learning, reading fluency, and teaching displays. Emma’s questions primarily focus on national curriculum, examination, professional development, and primary/secondary collaboration. This conversation highlights issues, questions, and various debates across education in a true MTG mind meld. Join the conversation and tell us your favorite teacher topic on Twitter with #MindTheGap, your question might end up on the next Q&A! Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode.
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world.
Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma welcome author, leader, and English specialist Jennifer Webb to the podcast. They open the podcast with a discussion on grammar and how the teaching of grammar has changed from description and memorization of grammar parts to more student-led creation-focused lessons. Jennifer’s interesting background and her time at Oxford led her to develop a unique perspective on grammar and how it is taught in primary and secondary.
In the second part of the conversation, the trio discusses English teaching and learning from a more curriculum perspective, diving deeper into Jennifer’s beliefs on reading lists, explicit diversity, developing literary pallets, CPD, and creating reading cultures. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode.
About the participants:
Jennifer Webb is an English teacher and Assistant Principal with expertise in CPD, whole school T&L policy, literacy, and research. In addition to teaching and school leadership, she is the author of several books, including The Metacognition Handbook, Teaching Like A Writer, How to Teach English Literature: Overcoming Cultural Poverty, and more. You can learn more about her projects like The Reading List at her website: https://funkypedagogy.com/. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @FunkyPedagogy
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma welcome author, leader, and coach Diana Osagie to the podcast. Diana is a true leadership expert. The conversation explores all factors of leadership, from courage to coaching. Diana’s philosophy is bright and honest and built on the practicality of resilience and respect. Much of the conversation revolves around Diana’s book Courageous Leadership, a must-read for current and future education leaders.
Tom, Emma, and Diana also discuss Diana’s work with the Academy of Women’s Leadership to deprogram some of the negative internal narratives and external pressures that women in education leadership struggle with. Diana discusses closing gaps in diverse communities of teachers and the advantage of equitable practices.
About the participants:
Diana Osagie is an educator, former head teacher, keynote speaker, leadership coach author, and the founder of The Academy of Women’s Leadership. She is the author of Courageous Leadership. Continue the conversation with Diana on Twitter @diana_osagie.
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma welcome author and head teacher Sam Strickland to the podcast. The trio opened season three and the new school year by discussing a major topic in education: behavior. In this discussion, the trio delves into creating and managing behavior-based systems, managing expectations, advice for new educators, and much more.
Tom, Emma, and Sam also discuss Sam’s new book, The Behaviour Manual: An Educator's Guidebook; Sam outlines his three key audiences, including senior leaders, middle leaders, and classroom teachers. The book is a collection of “short, sharp, and precise” manuals that teachers and administrators can use to architect school and classroom cultures. Covering the breadth of primary and secondary behavior, The Behavior Manual is a “dip in, dip out” resource for all educators.
About the participants:
Sam Strickland began his teaching career as a history teacher in Bedfordshire, having completed his PGCE in secondary history at the University of Cambridge. His career quickly accelerated, becoming a head of history and classics. After several leadership positions, Sam is now the principal of a large all-through school. Sam is the author of three books, including Education Exposed I and II and, most recently, The Behaviour Manual: An Educator's Guidebook. Follow Sam on Twitter @Strickomaster
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let's Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject LeadershipFollow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma welcome maths educator, author, podcaster, and education thought leader Craig Barton to the podcast. To introduce Craig, the trio discusses his many endeavors in education, including his podcast, two books, interest in variation theory, and, as Tom put it, the “proliferation of Craig Barton products.” Craig's many forrays into entrepreneurship center around his interest in providing useful and experience-driven resources to teachers. Essentially Craig’s hard work goes into creating resources he wishes he had from the start of his education career.
In the second half of the discussion, Tom, Emma, and Craig dive further into the practicality of Craig’s particular theories, interests, and passion projects. This part of the discussion shows how Craig takes an extremely creative and research-based approach and turns it into real-world teacher training, school planning, and classroom materials.
About the participants:
Craig Barton has been an educator since 2004 over the past two decades has become a maths leader, author, and entrepreneur. He is the co-creator of Diagnostic Questions, a free website hosting the world’s largest collection of high-quality maths resources, and the Head of Education at Eedi. He launched Mr. Barton Maths Podcast in 2015, allowing him to talk to experts in education research. Since then, he has published two educational books with JohnCatt Educational: How I Wish I’d Taught Maths (2018) and Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain (2020). Follow Craig on Twitter @mrbartonmaths
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma welcome science teacher, author, and entrepreneur Adam Boxer to the podcast. The conversation begins with a discussion of Carousel Learning, an online learning platform that aims to improve students' content retention through retrieval practice. Adam sees the service as a connection between homework and school work that takes the pressure off educators to guide students through skill mastery.
In the second half of the discussion, Tom, Emma, and Adam discuss his presence on EDU Twitter and the discourse he engages with, including behavioral management, education philosophy, and practical experience. The group discusses progressive vs. traditional thinking and Adam’s philosophy of leading with a sense of communal acceptance from a teacher-focused perspective. Adam describes his operational philosophy for his work as a thought leader as “usefulness density” and how that guides him to a creative, passionate, and approachable perspective.
About the participants:
Adam Boxer is an educator, author, and entrepreneur whose quick wit and dedication to education have led to amazing work, including articles, the Carousel Learning platform, and his book Teaching Secondary Science: A Complete Guide. Follow Adam on Twitter @adamboxer1
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma switch up the format of the podcast. Using a volley approach, they go back and forth asking questions and providing insight on issues in education today. Tom and Emma are both extremely involved in the teacher community, primarily through their daily work as educators, attendance at conferences, and EDU Twitter. In this episode, they take a moment to call upon the struggles of that community and discuss a few intriguing challenges across primary and secondary education.
On the primary side, the list includes of topics include: proscribed language modules, student engagement, parents helping their students with homework and school projects, curriculum vs topic-based learning, and on the secondary side, the topics include: short and long lunch periods, group/collaborative learning, and GCSEs. Tom and Emma also discuss general issues around education including the publishing and curriculum industries.
Overall the conversation shows the variety of problems and solutions educators are grappling with. As the summer recess begins, it is a perfect time to discuss your ideas with your fellow teachers, administrators, and scholars. Join the conversation and tell us your favorite teacher topic on Twitter with #MindTheGap, your question might end up on the next Q&A!
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma chat all things data, community, and policy with educator, leader, and entrepreneur Laura McInerney.
To start they discuss Laura’s journey from early Teach First pioneer, to her position as editor for Schools Week, to her current position as co-founder of Teacher Tapp, an application that polls teachers on their thoughts concerning discourse in education. In each of her positions, Laura has had a solitary mission: to collect information and put it in the hands of those who need it most. With their community-oriented surveys, Teacher Tapp has collected data from 2018 to 2022 to put in the hands of decision-makers from policy writers to the educators themselves.
A major topic in this discussion concerned the demographics of educators using Teacher Tapp and how Laura and her team use their intimate knowledge of the education sector to best represent the data they collect. To learn more about Teacher Tapp and its mission here: https://teachertapp.co.uk/
About the participants:
Laura McInerney is an educator, journalist, public speaker, and co-founder of Teacher Tapp. A lifelong educator and advocate, you can find her numerous articles, interviews, and speaking events on her website: https://lauramcinerney.com/
Follow Laura on Twitter @miss_mcinerney
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with Kieran Mackle, an author, podcast host, and primary school maths leader. The conversation begins with a discussion on mathematics strategy for teachers. Kieran’s most recent book, Thinking Deeply About Primary Mathematics, discusses hundreds of strategies for teachers with researched and practiced methodologies. One major topic that Tom, Emma, and Kieran discuss is the structural discourse around maths education and foundational learning, particularly pedagogical differences concerning mental maths and formal algorithm. Kieran puts forth a system of using consistency as a goal for a national curriculum that focuses on skill generation and mathematical fluency rather than content coverage. Kieran’s philosophy largely stems from mathematical maturation, a concept from Mark McCourt’s bookTeaching For Mastery, a seminal work on the subject.
Later in the discussion, the group focuses on scheme implementation in primary mathematics. Kieran focuses primarily on the power of time when it comes to introducing pedagogical schemes into primary learning. Taking time to decide on a scheme and evaluate its potency is essential.
About the participants:
Kieran Mackle is a 15+ year primary mathematics educator and leader. He is also the author of several books and articles including Tackling Misconceptions in Primary Mathematics and Thinking Deeply About Primary Mathematics. In addition, Kieran hosts the Thinking Deeply About Primary Education [TDAPE] podcast, inviting educators to discuss strategies, problems, and solutions facing primary education today. Follow Kieran on Twitter @Kieran_M_Ed
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma chat about several recent accomplishments, a special anniversary for Tom, and a new program Baccalaureate that Tom is interested in. To start, Emma’s new book Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership is available for purchase and has already reached Amazon's bestseller levels of success. Tom and Emma discuss some of the buzz around the book and how excited they are for primary educators to read it.
Next on the list for exciting celebrations is the 10-year anniversary of Tom’s Teacherhead blog. What began as a way for Tom to share ideas with fellow educators has become a site with over 7.5 million views and hundreds of articles that have been read in nearly every corner of the world (except, as Tom points out, the West Sahara). Tom's following in the education community includes a number of experts, educators, and researchers.
Tom then discusses his and other English educators' work on creating a framework for a National Baccalaureate program. Based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) system, the program Tom is supporting would increase access to a more well-rounded and student-driven curriculum than anything currently available to students in England. A major focus for Tom is how disparate he feels the education system can be due to socioeconomic limitations. Tom hopes a more well-rounded Baccalaureate initiative could address that gap.
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with Christopher Such, an #author and primary teacher from Peterborough. In the first part of their conversation, the group discusses Christopher’s focus on literacy and teaching reading in primary school. Christopher’s book on teaching reading (The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading) has recently been buzzing through the UK #education world. The book's strength comes from Christopher's experience teaching primary reading, particularly his ability to connect with the learner and the dynamics of what makes a great reader. Rather than provide a step-by-step approach to teaching reading, Christopher’s book offers a #framework for education that contextualizes teaching reading in their own experience and lesson plans.
In the second part of the discussion, Tom, Emma, and Christopher discuss the science of teaching reading. Christopher's scientific approach is revolutionary and combines concepts from other researchers in education in a workable and well-thought-out model. Christopher has a background in science, having received a bachelor's and master's in chemistry, and his book came from a want for more scientific exploration of reading. He expertly combines the experimental with the practical applications of reading theory.
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Christopher Such is a key stage one primary teacher and curriculum leader from Peterborough. He has worked in education for thirteen years, including spells in every key stage from foundation to A-Level, teaching primarily in upper key stage 2. He is also the author of The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading and articles on various topics in education. Follow Christopher on Twitter @Suchmo83
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education.
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma chat about their exciting and upcoming projects, particularly Emma’s soon-to-be-published Simplicitus and Tom’s WalkThrus 3.
To start, the duo discusses Emma’s upcoming publication, Simplicitus, an extraordinary collection of resources about primary curriculum. A major focus of the book is rooting curriculum in the actualities of primary education, particularly finding interconnected disciplines and creating complementary units. Overall, Emma’s new book focuses on interdependent learning and how it plays out in primary classrooms.
Tom also has some exciting projects. He is currently recording the audiobook of The Learning Rain Forest and tells a funny story from the recording booth. Tom and Emma discuss the learning process and how their two strategies from Simplicitus and The Learning Rain Forest connect via curriculum.
In other exciting news, the third installation of the WalkThrus series is available now. The collaboration between Tom and education leader Oliver Caviglioli brings together several resources and over 20 experts from across the U.K. Tom and Oliver are also planning a series of trainings for teachers to become walk thru certified, giving more capacity to support schools.
It is an exciting time for the Mind The Gap podcast team, with more exciting interviews on the way!
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/.
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education.
Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with Frances Akinde, a headteacher for the special school in Riverdmeade Inclusive Trust. The conversation begins with a discussion on Francis’ article, The Year Getting Into ‘Good Trouble’ Became Necessary. This led to the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professional education space. Francis explores how there is not enough representation in leadership positions, discussing her time in school and as a teacher. Frances argues school leadership should be more representative of the student body, both for cultural relevancy and in advocacy for students of color and the issues they face.
In the second part of the discussion, Tom, Emma, and Francis discuss special schools and their importance to the education system. Francis has been a headteacher in a special school for three years and in that time she has garnered a wealth of knowledge and experience. Frances discusses the importance of understanding students individually and how a special school environment stops students from falling through the cracks. A particular point of emphasis for Frances is understanding the nuanced circumstances of her students and ensuring she connects with them individually to address their needs. Frances primarily works with students on the autism spectrum and her work has broadened her understanding of education and training for teachers.
About the participants:
Frances Akinde is the headteacher of the special school for Rivermeade Inclusive Trust in Kent. Frances started her career as an LEA specialist advisory teacher (SEN/SLCN) and AP Assessment center manager and has been in leadership roles since 2017. Outside of her work as headteacher, Francis is an advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion particularly focused on seeing more representation in education leadership.
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with education “sister act” Tracey Adams and Sonia Thompson. The pair discuss their roles at St. Matthew’s Primary School in Birmingham, Sonia’s publication with John Catt Educational, and their philosophies on research-based education. In addition to being Head and Deputy Headteachers at St. Matthew’s, Tracey and Sonia are sisters and discuss their dynamic in a research school environment. St Matthew’s has garnered a lot of positive attention from the education community in the U.K, even having other educators visit quite often to take some of the techniques Sonia and Tracey use into their own classrooms across Britain.
Using a wealth of knowledge gained in the classroom, Sonia’s recent publication builds off Ron Berger’s seminal work An Ethic of Excellence: Building a Culture of Craftsmanship. Sonia’s book explores how she has used Berger’s work in the classroom to build fundamentals in reading, language, and create educational experiences that shape young students for great achievement in the future.
Sonia Thompson is Head Teacher at St. Matthew’s C.E. Primary School and Director of St. Matthew’s Research School. She is an SLE for English and School Improvement and a regular speaker at conferences, such as Research Ed. You can find Sonia on Twitter @son1bun
Tracey Adams is the Deputy Head Teacher at St. Matthew’s CE Primary School and Deputy Director of St. Matthew’s Research School. She is also NCETM Professional Development Lead and SLE for Maths and School Improvement. You can find Tracey on Twitter @traceya75
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners & Let’s Talk About Flex:Flipping the flexible working narrative for education.Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with David Goodwin and Oliver Caviglioli, co-authors of The Organise Ideas: Thinking By Hand, Extending The Mind, about all things graphic organization. This episode discusses how our memory and organization intertwine to create more comprehensive knowledge and memory in education. Using a wealth of knowledge and Annie Murphy Paul’s The Extended Mind as a primary text, David and Oliver explore “extending the point of access for intellectual thinking” and how deep the roots of mapping things like creativity, comprehension, and knowledge go.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
David Goodwin is the head of years 10 and 11 and a geography teacher at a school in Lincolnshire. Follow David on Twitter @MrGoodwin23.
Oliver Caviglioli is a former headteacher of a special school. Follow Oliver on Twitter @olicav
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
For the first episode of 2022, Tom and Emma review some of their personal successes and major education events of the previous year. Importantly, they begin the episode by acknowledging, thanking, and celebrating the educators worldwide whose dedication through the difficult 2021 year was critical to providing students with the meaningful support they deserve.
As the conversation continues, Emma shares some recent books―Kieran Mackle’s Thinking Deeply About Primary Mathematics and Annie Murphy Paul’s The Extended Mind―that made a significant impression on her; Tom speaks about the recent ResearchED event, which brought UK educators together in-person after a long pandemic-related hiatus; Tom and Emma reflect on their 2021 interview with Doug Lemov and further collaborations the conversation inspired; and much more.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Peps Mccrea, Dean of Learning Design at Ambition Institute and author of books such as Motivated Teaching and Memorable Teaching, is the guest on this episode.
With hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, Peps discusses his work as a professional teacher educator and what drove him to enter this role relatively early in his career. He talks about his approach to training educators, the priorities he sets for delivering impact, and more important considerations about ensuring each student is taught by an excellent teacher. Peps also discusses the challenges and benefits of writing “ultraconcise” books for educators, the influence of social norms on teachers’ behaviours, the frameworks for reliably developing teacher expertise, and more.
Subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube to view all video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Peps Mccrea is Dean of Learning Design at Ambition Institute, where he oversee the design of programmes for teachers and teacher educators. In the past, he has been a senior lecturer in teacher education, teacher, and school leader. Peps also writes ultraconcise books for teachers including Motivated Teaching and Memorable Teaching. Learn more on his website https://pepsmccrea.com and connect with him on Twitter @pepsmccrea
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Acclaimed educators, authors and advisers John Tomsett and Mary Myatt join Mind the Gap to discuss their new co-authored book, Huh: Curriculum conversations between subject and senior leaders.
With hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, Tomsett and Myatt talk about the conversations that need to take place in schools regarding the rationale behind the curriculum, what they are intending to achieve with it, how well it is planned and enacted in classrooms and how they know whether it’s successful. They also discuss a variety of other critical education and teaching topics.
Subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube to view all video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the guests:
John Tomsett has been a teacher for 27 years and a head teacher for 12. He is head teacher at Huntington School, York. He co-founded The Headteachers’ Roundtable think tank and is a popular speaker on school leadership. Follow John on Twitter @johntomsett
Mary Myatt is an education adviser, writer and speaker. She has written extensively about leadership, school improvement and the curriculum in her books Back on Track, High Challenge, Low Threat, Hopeful Schools and The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to Coherence. Mary has been a governor in three schools, and a trustee for a multi academy trust. She co-founded the RE Quality Mark, is chair of the board for the Centre for Education and Youth and a member of the curriculum advisory group for Oak National Academy. Follow Mary on Twitter @marymyatt
Follow Tom and Emma on Twitter: @teacherhead@emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
On the 30th episode of Mind the Gap, Tom and Emma speak with educator, blogger, and author Alex Quigley.
The conversation begins with a reflection on the way Tom and Alex met one another many years ago, as they were both beginning to blog and find that readers were interested in their work. Alex talks about his introduction to blogging, social media, and eventually his book writing process. Tom, Emma, and Alex also discuss some of the topics Alex speaks and writes about, including intentionality in one’s teaching practice; how educators determine instructional priorities across grade levels; goals for teaching reading and writing; and more.
Subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube to view all video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Alex Quigley is a former English teacher and school leader, of over 15 years' standing, who now works for the Education Endowment Foundation, supporting teachers to access research evidence. He blogs at www.theconfidentteacher.com his books include Closing the Reading Gap, Closing the Vocabulary Gap, and The Confident Teacher. Follow him on Twitter @AlexJQuigley
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
On this episode, Tom and Emma catch up on a variety of topics that have been prominent in the education discourse.
The episode begins with Emma’s overview of the latest work on the Early Career Framework in the UK. Tom and Emma discuss professional learning, instructional coaching, needs for Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs), mentorship, and more. They also chat about the need to learn both the theory and practice of classroom instruction.
Other topics include the EduGive online conference Tom and his daughter Daisy organised to raise money for charity, including some of the brilliant ideas shared in the conference; and what curriculum should look like in schools.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Professor Sam Twiselton, OBE is the special guest for this episode of Mind the Gap. Sam is Director of Sheffield Institute of Education at Sheffield Hallam University and one of the UK’s most recognised leaders in the areas of Initial and Continuing Teacher Development.
Among other topics, Sam discusses her desire to see a change in the narrative around early career teachers, her thoughts on what should be included in teacher training and initial teacher education, and how she views her role and responsibility as a national education leader.
Subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube to view all video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Professor Samantha Twiselton, OBE is the Director of Sheffield Institute of Education at Sheffield Hallam University - a national centre of education research and practice, recognised for its excellence and innovation in teaching and learning. In this role she uses her research and practice in the development of teacher expertise to develop a range of innovative workplace embedded approaches to Initial and Continuing Teacher development.
With experience in teacher education, curriculum development and language and literacy, Sam has been heavily involved in influencing Government policy on teacher education. In June 2018 she was named in the Queen's birthday honours as a recipient of an OBE for services to Higher Education. You can find her on Twitter @SamTwiselton
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Haili Hughes, an English teacher, Head of Department, teacher mentor, and author of the new book, Mentoring in Schools: How to become an expert colleague, is Tom and Emma’s guest on this episode.
To start off the episode, Haili describes what inspired her to write the book. She noticed there wasn’t much literature on mentoring as a practice; nothing that bridged the theory and practice. She decided to write a book that educators could reference again and again. She also describes how she used focus groups to get teachers’ voices directly involved in developing the content. Haili also talks about the Early Career Framework, addressing the concerns some educators feel with the framework and giving her perspective on how it can be used properly.
Tom also shares a story from early in his career, describing the lack of mentoring he received , which leads into a practical discussion about how to set up mentoring in schools. How often should teachers meet with their mentors and what should they discuss? Later, Emma discusses the many hats educators wear and how trying out different roles is the best way to determine your own unique strengths. Tom, Emma and Haili also discuss the challenges educators face, their own work with schools nationwide, and much more.
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Haili Hughes is an English teacher, former Head of Department and Senior Leader who has mentored new teachers and ITT students for over 10 years. Haili is author of the book Mentoring in Schools: How to become an expert colleague. You can find her on Twitter @HughesHaili
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
This episode is the season two premiere of Mind the Gap, and we’re pleased to welcome Nimish Lad as this season’s first guest. Nimish is Curriculum and Research Lead at the Creative Education Trust, a Vice Principal, and author of the new book, Shimamura’s MARGE Model of Learning in Action published by John Catt.
Nimish discusses the MARGE (Motivate, Attend, Relate, Generate and Evaluate) Model, which he writes about in detail in his new book. The model is a whole-brain learning approach for teachers and students that links neuroscience and cognitive science. One of the ideas that impressed Nimish the most is the way MARGE can provide a framework to refine the quality of learning aids that educators use.
Tom, Emma, and Nimish also describe why teachers are like museum curators in the way they need to carefully and strategically select the artifacts that will illustrate the necessary story; the things teachers should we wary of when implementing new ideas; the power of the use of “non-examples” (“it is this, but it isn’t that…”); and much more.
To find all 25 video episodes from season one, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma
About the participants:
Nimish Lad is Curriculum and Research Lead at the Creative Education Trust, and Vice Principal at Wrenn School in Wellingborough. As a teacher of science, he has always been drawn to evidence-informed practice and contextualising research to use within the classroom. You can find Nimish on twitter at @nlad84
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner welcome best-selling author, award-winning blogger, and international speaker Tom Bennett to the show. Bennett is founder of researchED and author of several books, including Running the Room: The Teacher’s Guide to Behaviour.
The episode begins with a conversation about what’s next for researchED. With in-person events returning, the organisation is seeing increased demand for its content and conferences. Bennett explains what he’s seeing, and why educators are so eager to convene and discuss education research.
Other topics of discussion include early childhood education and, in particular, what educators should know about classroom culture and behaviour in these early years; Bennett’s observations about trends in behaviour and classroom management; how the culture and positive momentum in schools can be self-sustaining; and much more.
Listen to Tom and Emma’s previous interviews and more on your preferred podcast app or on YouTube.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Tom Bennett is the founder of researchED, a grass-roots organisation that raises research literacy in education and campaigns for better evidence awareness worldwide. In 2015 he became the UK government’s school ‘Behaviour Czar,’ advising on behavior policy, as well as chairing the Mental Health in Schools panel. Tom’s latest books are Running the Room: The Teacher’s Guide to Behaviour and The Running the Room Companion. Follow him on Twitter @tombennett71.
Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is author ofBe More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little LearnersandLet’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
On this episode, Tom and Emma celebrate one year of Mind the Gap. The hosts reflect on some of the guests they’ve had the opportunity to interview over the course of the year. Everyone involved with the show sends a special thank you to our listeners for helping us grow!
Next (1:55), the hosts have an extended discussion about feedback. Specifically, the instances when it isn’t helpful or useful. They dive deep into a number of perspectives to figure out the differences between written and verbal feedback, and what educators should consider about each type.
Tom and Emma then reflect on their most recent interview with Abby Bayford (20:45), as well as Episode 20 with John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley. This leads into a discussion on the dynamism of the teaching community (28:00), as Tom remarks on how he’s been blown away by some of the amazing educators he’s encountered who maintain their enthusiasm despite the challenges of the past year and more. He and Emma take time to chat about the gathering of momentum around professional learning, the passion present across the profession, and more.
In the final part of the discussion (36:25), the hosts discuss their latest project, in which Emma matched up the Teaching WalkThrus books with the eight standards in the Early Career Framework. Tune in to learn more!
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this Mind the Gap episode, Tom and Emma speak with Abby Bayford, editor and contributor to Letter to My NQT Self. Written by the Academy Transformation Trust family and friends, the book is a collection of retrospective letters by various teachers to themselves as newly qualified teachers (NQT). The collection recounts tales of successes and challenges during the first year of teaching, offering practical tips to support other educators in their early years.
Tom, Emma, and Abby dive into the details and importance of the book, whose proceeds are going to the charitable efforts of Education Support. Abby describes how it started as a roundtable discussion on induction experiences and guidelines for early career teachers and eventually grew into a John Catt book raising money to provide educators with mental health and wellness services.
Abby wanted the book to be “a heated blanket” of support for teachers to take in on their own time, reading the letters and absorbing useful, helpful experiences. When organizing the writers for the book, Abby made deliberate requests for concrete strategies to be woven into the letter experiences.
The discussion moves along with takeaways from the letters reflecting on teacher experience from authenticity to colleague collaboration, generosity, and community spirit. Mentorship and instructional coaching are examined as a more elaborate and necessary element compared to early education models. As Tom suggests, there is no reason that Letters to My NQT Self shouldn’t be available for all early educators in every school.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Abby Bayford is the editor of Letter to My NQT Self. Follow her on Twitter @ATT_Institute
Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learnersand Let's Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with Bennie Kara, author of A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools. Kara initially explored education diversity through her lens of teaching English but soon found a world of interest across multi-disciplines emerging from the popularity of her book.
Kara expresses her desire to address the intersection of identity, inclusion, and equitable treatment. It’s not about highlighting individuals as victims but instead bringing to the surface the diverse circumstances that need attention. According to Kara, there is still a fundamental misunderstanding of structural boundaries and negotiating in the space. She describes how a failure to understand the structural issues creates tension and argument and remains incendiary until adequately addressed.
Tom, Emma and Bennie also discuss the acceleration of diversity and equity in education, with the pace of change in primary school as a promising example. Kara’s book is described as a tool kit of sorts that allows people to feel comfortable, providing a safe place to start for those who want to make changes but are sometimes uncomfortable coming forward.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Bennie Kara is a deputy headteacher in the East Midlands, specialising in curriculum, teaching and learning. She is the co-founder of Diverse Educators and author of the book, A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools. Follow Bennie on Twitter @benniekara
Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow him on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this episode, Emma turns the tables by interviewing Tom and his co-author Oliver Caviglioli on their recent book, Teaching WalkThrus Volume 2, a follow-up to their popular Teaching WalkThrus: Visual Step-by-Step Guides to Essential Teaching Techniques. The new volume offers an additional 50 essential teaching techniques, each with five clear and concise illustrations and explanations.
Tom and Oliver discuss the origins of the books, the writing process, what they’ve learned since publishing the first Teaching WalkThrus book, and much more.
Listen to Tom and Emma’s previous interviews and more on your preferred podcast app or on YouTube.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the hosts:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley, co-authors of Putting Staff First: A Blueprint for Revitalising Our Schools, published by John Catt Educational. The book outlines the creation of a school environment that results in a happy, healthy, motivated, well-trained, expert staff—all to give students the best teaching possible.
Uttley starts by describing his working relationship with Tomsett. He reminisces about Tomsett as an early mentor and partner in improving a school’s culture and solidifying their mutual goals. (2:45) Uttley describes his present position as CEO in schools set up as a charitable trust.
Tomsett speaks of his dual position as head teacher and teacher, producing a blend of leadership responsibilities with everyday teaching plans. (5:10) He is involved in lesson changeovers, mask mandates, and a variety of hands-on duties. He is a proponent of Vivian Robinson’s philosophy of the importance of having leaders teach and making the process of teaching easier to manage.
The interview continues with discussing leaders embracing the fundamental role of removing teachers’ barriers (8:55). Removal practices are brought up as key components to school improvement and the simplification of ingrained habits. It’s important to start with the assumption of professional trust that eventually leads to evidence-informed desires (29:05). As Tomsett sums up, it comes down to creating a school with high standards that is also a great place to work -— something not too cozy but also not based on fear.
Watch episode 19 with Tom and Emma’s thoughts on culture, leadership, diversity, and the assessment discourse here: https://youtu.be/s7eOGcICDpg
Listen to Tom and Emma’s previous interview episode on culture, leadership, diversity, and assessment discourse, and more, along with episode 18 with Tom Strickland on your preferred podcast app or on YouTube.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Follow the authors on Twitter: @emma_turner75 @teacherhead @JonnyUttley @johntomsett
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
To kick off this “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap, Emma Turner discusses what’s been on her mind: Culture (0:45). She refers to a diverse sampling of recent reading on leadership and culture, from John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley’s Putting Staff First, to a Teacher Development Trust working paper on school culture, to Anthony Quinn’s Klopp. Tom and Emma discuss the factors that contribute to a strong culture, the actions that can be taken to build such a culture, as well as some of the “don’ts.”
In the next segment (10:45), Tom discusses assessment, a topic that’s been on his mind recently. He refers to recent discourse around the purpose of exams and the proper ways to validate children’s learning. He shares some of the recently proposed assessment alternatives and why they’ve come up short, as well as the many factors we value in children’s well-rounded development, which we can appreciate better without attempting to measure them.
Next, we get to Emma’s Reading List (20:45). She recommends Bennie Kara’s A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools, and both she and Tom discuss the importance of the subject matter. Kara will be a guest on an upcoming episode of Mind the Gap.
On Tom’s Reading List (26:55), he recommends a trio of books from John Catt’s “In Action” series: Generative Learning in Action, Cognitive Apprenticeship in Action, and Cognitive Load Theory in Action. He also recommends the free paper What Should Schools Teach?: Disciplines, subjects and the pursuit of truth, available from University College London.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with Sam Strickland, a U.K. school head known for his “no nonsense” approach and true passion for education leadership. Sam’s latest book is Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream, published by John Catt Educational, which centers around the key idea of “allowing teachers to teach,” and removing the factors that drive teachers from the profession.
Sam brings a blend of energy, ideas, and humor to the interview. He discusses key tenets of leadership, how to support a staff, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Sam also dives into curriculum, behavior management, cutting out the “red tape” around teaching, how to avoid falling into the trap of complacency, and much more. Whether you’re already familiar with Sam’s work or this is your first introduction, you’re sure to gain many valuable insights from his experience.
Listen to Tom and Emma’s previous interview episode with Doug Lemov and all episodes in your preferred podcast app or on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (UK and Global).
Sam Strickland is the principal of a large all-through school and has helped to guide its GCSE results from the bottom 20% nationally to the top 20% and A Level outcomes to the top 5% nationally. He is author of Education Exposed: Leading a school in a time of uncertainty and Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream. Follow him on Twitter at @Strickomaster
Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
This “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap begins with a recap of their recent interview with Doug Lemov (1:00) featured in Episode 16. The hosts discuss the pieces of the conversation that stood out to them, including the way Doug communicates his key ideas; their enthusiasm looking ahead to “Teach Like a Champion 3.0;” and how Doug’s approach to feedback relates to their observations in the profession.
Next, Tom and Emma answer some of the questions they’re frequently asked in their work (7:25). Emma shares her thoughts on early career teachers, and in particular how they’ll be supported once they return to the physical classroom. In Tom’s segment, he discusses teacher development and whether schools should launch new initiatives over the remainder of the academic year.
Emma and Tom then share their recent reading lists. Emma has been reading The Feedback Pendulum by Michael Chiles and she describes how the book exceeded her expectations and opened her eyes to what the word “feedback” actually means. Tom then describes the different types of feedback he often receives, and why it’s important to get feedback that’s relevant and which you can actually use. From Tom’s reading list, he references Leverage Leadership by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo and John Tomsett’s Cognitive Apprenticeship in Action.
In the next segment, the hosts share advice for teachers (23:30). Emma explains why she recommends primary teachers should integrate more non-screen-based activities all these months into remote learning. Tom then shares why he advocates for “cold calling” in the classroom, and why teachers should understand that it promotes a dynamic of inclusivity.
Finally, the hosts wrap up by sharing advice for school leaders (30:40). Emma’s advice centers on leadership well-being and Tom’s is focused on developing agency in all the people involved in the learning process, especially students.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher with research-based, practical titles for teachers and school leaders. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Connect with the hosts:
Follow Tom Sherrington on Twitter @teacherhead. Follow Emma Turner @emma_turner75.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with one of education’s most influential authors, Doug Lemov. In addition to his best-known work, Teach Like a Champion, Doug has recently authored Teaching in the Online Classroom - Surviving and Thriving in the New Normal, an essential guide for educators navigating the Covid-19 pandemic. He has also recently authored The Coach’s Guide to Teaching, published by John Catt Educational.
In the interview, Doug’s passion for creating a supportive, challenging and enriching educational environment for all students shines through. He talks about the importance of having high expectations for all learners, and also discusses the significance of creating connections. The discussion touches on strategies that work in all environments, and specifically refers to the online teaching and learning so many schools are currently experiencing. The conversation also challenges thinking on “outside the box” vs. “inside the box” ideas (hint: inside the box comments are often more valuable to productive collaboration), surfaces strategies for developing listening behaviors, and more.
To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, supporting teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, Doug and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Doug Lemov is a former teacher and school principal. He helped found Uncommon Schools, a network of high performing schools in under-served communities. His book Teach Like a Champion describes techniques used by exceptional teachers and why they work. His books have sold more than a million copies and been translated into a dozen languages. Follow him on Twitter at @Doug_Lemov
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap, the discussion centers on lessons learned from nearly a year of remote learning. Dating back to last spring, educators worldwide have been teaching online, many for the first time. Considering personal experience as well as conversations with teachers, Tom and Emma reflect on successes, effective practices, continuing challenges, and more. It’s a discussion with significant implications for the future of schooling.
Before the episode closes, Tom and Emma preview their upcoming interview with Doug Lemov, best-selling author of Teach Like a Champion and his new release, The Coach’s Guide to Teaching.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Patrice Bain, author of the new book A Parent's Guide to Powerful Teaching is the guest on this episode. Patrice is an acclaimed educator, speaker and author who spent 15 of her 25+ year teaching career working with cognitive scientists turning research into learning strategies.
In the interview, Patrice, Tom and Emma discuss the benefits of teachers understanding research and how it contributes to powerful classroom instruction. They discuss strategies that work for teachers of various experience levels, how educators and parents can best understand students’ progress in thinking and understanding, and more.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Learn more about today's guest, Patrice Bain: Follow Patrice on Twitter @PatriceBain1 and visit: www.patricebain.com. Visit www.powerfulteaching.org to get more resources, including free downloads related to Patrice’s strategies.
About the hosts:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
The hosts begin this episode by reflecting on their recent interview with Jethro Jones (1:11). In particular, they respond to Jethro’s stories about creative ways he and his staff developed a strong school culture. They also discuss some of the strategies Jethro shares in his book, SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves.
Next, Tom explains how Jethro’s design thinking approach to leadership reminded him of the “builder’s” mindset shared by Robyn Jackson in a previous episode (8:14). He furthers the thought by discussing the concept of “broccoli fractals” that provides another illustration of leadership. In a school, you can’t control every interaction, but you can define the ethos of the school; and if you do that, the stakeholders in the school will understand and the positive elements will “reproduce.”
Then Tom and Emma then check in on the state of exams in the UK (15:01). There are fast-moving changes to what students and educators can expect, making it even more important for students to understand what they’re aiming for.
For the final topic of the discussion, the hosts discuss the “In Action” book series (27:18). Tom discusses some of the contributing authors and how this highly practical series of titles came together.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the hosts:
Tom Sherrington is a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is the Research and CPD lead at Discovery Schools Academy Trust. She is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Jethro Jones, award-winning school leader and host of the Transformative Principal Podcast, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap. Jethro is author of the new book SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves.
In the interview, Jethro discusses his passion for focusing on the students who often feel “invisible” and shares stories from his school where staff and faculty were able to make this happen. He also explains how he personalizes the learning experience by responding to each student in a unique way rather than individualizing lesson plans, how he brings the design thinking process – including “prototyping” – to school leadership, how to make decisions that are based on the primary goals of your school, and more.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Jethro Jones is author of the new book SchoolX, published by John Catt. Named a Digital Principal of the Year in 2017 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Jethro has served students as a teacher, district coach, media and distance learning specialist, and principal, with experience at every level of public education. He has been hosting the Transformative Principal podcast since 2013. Follow him on Twitter @jethrojones and learn more at www.jethrojones.com
Tom Sherrington worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education from Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap, the hosts begin by reflecting on their recent interview with Mary Myatt (1:12). In particular, Myatt’s ability to demonstrate and demand excellence in the profession has proven resonant.
Next, Tom shares takeaways from the recent “Teaching for Distinction” course he presented (5:40) before sharing some recommended reading, including Daniel Willingham’s Why Don’t Students Like School?, What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Psychology by David Didau and Nick Rose, and Dylan Wiliam’s Embedded Formative Assessment.
Tom and Emma then discuss the state of exams in the UK (13:00) before talking about quality assurance in schools (27:46), a topic that invites many perspectives. How is it done well? Should leaders be doing walk-throughs in the age of COVID?
The final topic is the pressure on principals and head teachers (39:34). Tom and Emma have an important discussion about the challenges and stresses facing leaders.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Mary Myatt, acclaimed adviser, writer and speaker, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap. Myatt is author of the new book Back on Track: Fewer things, greater depth.
In the interview, Mary discusses her perspective on ensuring we always use the highest-quality materials when teaching our children, and reflects on why so many schools are struggling to straighten out their curriculum. Where are the areas in which schools can “sharpen up” what they’re teaching? She also talks about some of the differences in teaching between the UK and US, how the language we use toward learning affects the experience, what it means to focus on “fewer things in greater depth,” and much more.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Mary Myatt is an education adviser, writer and speaker. She has written extensively about leadership, school improvement and the curriculum in her books Back on Track, High Challenge, Low Threat, Hopeful Schools and The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to Coherence. Follow Mary on Twitter @marymyatt
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is currently the Research and CPD lead at Discovery Schools Academy Trust. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can be a hugely successful model in organizations. Follow Emma on Twitter **@emma
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message**
In episode 9 of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe, hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner explore a new, deeper discussion format where they dive into timely topics without a guest.
First (1:26), they share takeaways from the previous episode of Mind the Gap, which featured an interview with Mark McCourt, renowned expert on teaching for mastery. They describe not only what viewers and listeners should look out for in the interview, but also what resonates most about Mark’s work overall.
Next (10:25), Tom and Emma highlight some other books they’ve been reading, including Back on Track by Mary Myatt, It Takes 5 Years to Become a Teacher, and Tom Bennett’s Running the Room.
Following this, the discussion moves into the three main topics:
- The problems with school criticism (19:26) - The hosts discuss the criticisms of schools and school systems, including from those who don’t work in education. What criticisms are fair or unfair, and what toll do they take?
- Do we have our CPD systems right? (29:29) - The discussion centers on top-heavy systems of continuous professional development (CPD), whether or not they’re working, and how to streamline them.
- The Early Career Framework rollout (42:48) - The final topic is the UK’s rollout of the framework for teachers in the early stages of their career.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma,subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner spent 20 years as a primary teacher before joining Discovery Schools Academy Trust, where she is currently the Research and CPD lead. She is author ofBe More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Mark McCourt, the UK’s leading authority on teaching for mastery, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap. In the discussion, Mark shares his perspective on mastery and also addresses some of the misconceptions. In particular, he shares that mastery, by definition, means “Bloom’s mastery,” and also explains “Mastery is not a curriculum. It is a model of schooling.”
Among other ideas discussed, Mark warns the education community not to equate anecdotal experience with true evidence of efficacy, explains why it should be the norm that schools “try to understand what students know and don’t know, and teach them the stuff they don’t know,” and describes his belief that early grades teachers must be the most skilled.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Mark McCourt is the UK’s leading authority on teaching for mastery. He has trained over 2,000 schools in mastery models for schooling and his latest book is Teaching for Mastery (John Catt Educational). A leading figure in mathematics education, Mark has led many large-scale government education initiatives, both in the UK and overseas. Mark was a Director at the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) and has also been a school leader, an Advanced Skills Teacher, a school inspector and a teacher trainer. He founded and was Chairman of the Teacher Development Trust. Follow Mark on Twitter @EmathsUK
Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is currently the Research and CPD lead for Discovery Schools Academy Trust, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Baruti K. Kafele, principal, educator and best-selling author is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap, discussing the linking of social justice with school leadership. Kafele points to the early influence of Lewis Lomax's book To Kill a Blackman on the parallels between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X as the inspiration to his teaching and leadership methods. It all comes naturally to Kafele, who makes it a point to tie in the classroom environment to the outside world. He shares pivoting during the aftermath of George Floyd's death and the ensuing civil unrest to message the importance of weaving real-life events into the framework of school culture, including the subject areas of math, science, social studies, and the language arts.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
Baruti K. Kafele is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and Milken Award-winning educator who spent nearly 30 years as an urban public school teacher and principal in New Jersey. His books include Motivating Black Males to Achieve in School and in Life, Closing the Attitude Gap: How to Fire Up Your Students to Strive for Success, and The Teacher 50: Critical Questions for Inspiring Classroom Excellence. Follow Principal Kafele on Twitter @PrincipalKafele
Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are co-hosts of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. Tom has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook.Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
After 20 years in primary teaching, Emma joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust where she is currently the Research and CPD lead. She is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education from Our Little Learners. Follow Emma
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
In this special episode of the Mind the Gap audio podcast, you'll get a flavor of “On Our Minds," a popular segment from the video version of the show, in which co-hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner share their insights on the most timely, pressing issues in education.
In this episode, Tom and Emma give their thoughts on determining an approach to the new academic year. They describe ideas for creating a “normal” school environment, adapting to the unique experiences each student has had through the pandemic, setting the right tone for the school year, and more.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Tom Sherrington is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. He has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. After 20 years in primary teaching, Emma joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust where she is currently the Research and CPD lead, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can be a hugely successful model in organizations. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Sonia Thompson, Head Teacher of St. Matthew’s C of E Primary School, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap. She talks about the concept of “reading for empathy” and discusses Empathy Lab, an organization whose research demonstrates the benefits of empathy on the brain and learning. Sonia explains how empathy is a concept that can be taught to all students and reinforces that empathy is not about sympathizing; it’s about doing something with those emotions that we feel. She also talks about using challenging content, how students’ increasing skill influences their will, and more.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Sonia Thompson is Head Teacher of St. Matthew's C of E Primary School in Birmingham, U.K., a vibrant, forward-looking and confident school which aims to meet the future needs of our young people and the world they inhabit. She is a contributor to The ResearchED Guide to the Curriculum: An Evidence-Informed Guide for Teachers. Follow Sonia on Twitter @son1bun
Tom Sherrington is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. He has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. After 20 years in primary teaching, Emma joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust where she is currently the Research and CPD lead, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can be a hugely successful model in organizations. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
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Teacher, author and education reformer Starr Sackstein is the guest for this episode of Mind the Gap. She talks about the concept of “gradeless” teaching; what are the shortcomings of traditional grades and how must we change the way we assess student learning? A growing movement of teachers is digging into this question.
Starr, Tom and Emma also talk about the important differences between formative and summative assessment and the appropriate uses of each. Starr describes how she prefers to “live in formative assessment” because it’s all about feedback. She also explains her strategies for developing strong, transparent relationships with students and much more.
In the interview debrief, Emma discusses how some of Starr’s successful high school strategies have also worked well at the elementary level.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Starr Sackstein is an education reformer focusing on the student experience of learning. She spent many years as a high school English and journalism teacher, is a certified Master Journalism Educator, and is the author of several books, including Hacking Assessment: 10 Ways to Go Gradeless in a Traditional Grades School (Hack Learning) and Teaching Students to Self-Assess: How Do I Help Students Grow as Learners? (ASCD). She has also done a TEDxTalk on giving up grades and hopes to be a part of the change that education needs to see. Follow Starr on Twitter @mssackstein
Tom Sherrington is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. He has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. After 20 years in primary teaching, Emma joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust where she is currently the Research and CPD lead, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can be a hugely successful model in organizations. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message
Dr. Robyn Jackson, award-winning author and CEO of Mindsteps, Inc., is the guest for this episode of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe.
She discusses the concept of “buildership,” which distinguishes a typical (or ineffective) leader from those who are effective at charting a course, walking the talk, and bringing people along with them. What are the strategies that spark action instead of “acting” and how do we clear the way to make our vision more likely? She also dives into some of the concepts explored in her best-selling books, Never Work Harder Than Your Students and Never Underestimate Your Teachers, which help teachers learn how to increase rigor, but then also demonstrate to leaders how they need to change approaches to make this possible. Jackson also discusses “context agnostic” teaching, a major topic in current times, and much more.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Dr. Robyn Jackson believes that any teacher can become a master teacher with the right kind of support and practice. She is a former high school English teacher and middle school administrator and author of nine books including the best-selling Never Work Harder Than Your Students and the award-winning Never Underestimate Your Teachers. Dr. Jackson currently is the founder and CEO of Mindsteps Inc., a professional development firm that helps educators understand the principles of effective teaching and instructional leadership so that they can make the difference they've always wanted to make in the lives of their students and in their own lives as well. Follow here on Twitter @Robyn_Mindsteps
Tom Sherrington is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. He has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. After 20 years in primary teaching, Emma joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust where she is currently the Research and CPD lead, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can b
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Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of The Chartered College of Teaching, is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational.
In the interview, Peacock chats with hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner about the Chartered College’s aim to raise the status of teaching both in England and abroad, the differences between being part of the Chartered College to support one’s professional growth versus the role of a trade union membership, the challenges of getting teachers to join a professional association, what it means to “amplify the voice of the profession,” and much more.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Follow along on Twitter @teacherhead and @emma_turner75. Make sure to tweet your questions using hashtag #askTomandEmma to have them considered for the video mailbag.
Mind the Gap is produced by MindRocket Media Group and presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Professor Dame Alison Peacock is CEO of the Chartered College of Teaching, the UK’s professional body for teachers. She was previously Executive Headteacher of The Wroxham School in Hertfordshire. Her career to date has spanned primary, secondary and advisory roles. In 2018, she became an Honorary Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge, one of the first ever female Fellows admitted. She is also a member of the Royal Society’s Education Committee, and a Visiting Professor of both the University of Hertfordshire and Glyndwr University. Follow Peacock on Twitter @AlisonMPeacock.
Tom Sherrington is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. He has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. After 20 years in primary teaching, Emma joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust where she is currently the Research and CPD lead, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can be a hugely successful model in organizations. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Author, blogger, speaker and consultant Peter DeWitt is the guest on this episode of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. He discusses the differences between instructional leadership, collaborative leadership, and other models of leadership. He describes what he’s learned about different leadership styles over the course of his career, what he has observed from other leaders, and how his views have evolved.
Peter and co-hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner also talk about education blogging, what educators are facing during the current “distance learning moment,” what ideas are resonating in the current conversation, and much more.
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Follow along on Twitter @teacherhead and @emma_turner75. Make sure to tweet your questions using hashtag #askTomandEmma to have them considered for the video mailbag.
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Peter DeWitt is a former K-5 teacher and principal who currently works as an independent consultant. He runs competency-based workshops and provides keynotes nationally and internationally focusing on school leadership and fostering inclusive school climates. He is author of numerous books on collaborative leadership, instructional leadership, and school climate. He is also author of the popular Education Week blog Finding Common Ground. Learn more at http://www.petermdewitt.com/ or connect with Peter on Twitter @PeterMDeWitt.
Tom Sherrington is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. He has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. After 20 years in primary teaching, Emma joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust where she is currently the Research and CPD lead, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can be a hugely successful model in organizations. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Presented by John Catt Educational and produced b
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In this debut episode, international keynoter and best-selling author Richard Gerver joins the show for the first-ever "Mind Share." During the discussion, Richard describes how educators have common challenges that feel unique, yet actually present opportunities to learn from one another, and explains how the challenges of the future demand that we prepare our students to become well-rounded individuals with "soft skills" and not only technical competencies. Tom, Emma and Richard engage in a conversation about how we navigate the balance of teaching both skills and knowledge. What does, and what should, this look like in the global education system?
To find full video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.
Follow along on Twitter @teacherhead and @emma_turner75. Make sure to tweet your questions using hashtag #askTomandEmma to have them considered for the video mailbag.
Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).
About the participants:
Richard Gerver is a former teacher and school leader. He is an internationally recognized and celebrated speaker whose insights into change and leadership have seen him work with organizations including Google, Visa, Technicolor and Deloitte; and have given him the opportunity to keynote education conferences. Learn more at https://www.richardgerver.com/ or follow him on Twitter @richardgerver.
Tom Sherrington is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. He has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead
Emma Turner is a co-host of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe. After 20 years in primary teaching, Emma joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust where she is currently the Research and CPD lead, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can be a hugely successful model in organizations. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75
Presented by John Catt Educational and produced by MindRocket Media Group.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mindthegap-edu/message