Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe

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/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice...

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindthegap-edu/message