Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe
Tom Sherrington & Emma Turner 125 episodes Nov 6, 2026
Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, UK-based education authors and consultants, discuss best practices in classroom teaching, sustaining professional development, and innovative strategies to close global gaps in education. They interview experts from around the world to share timely insights on K-12 trends and research-based approaches.
Episodes
Oracy Across the Curriculum with Alice Stott and Amy Gaunt, Mind the Gap, Ep.132 (S7,E5)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Amy Gaunt and Alice Stott of Voice 21 to explore how schools can move from valuing talk in principle to building a genuinely coherent oracy curriculum. Drawing on their new book, Create an Oracy Curriculum, Amy and Alice make the case for oracy as both an essential part of effective teaching and a wider educational enti
Inclusion Is the System, Belonging Is the Experience with Dr Nicole Ponsford, Mind the Gap, Ep.131 (S7,E4)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Dr Nicole Ponsford, teacher-turned-researcher, EdTech founder, and Founder & Director of Research & Impact at Kaleidoscope, for an exploration of what inclusion and belonging really look like in schools, and how we can move beyond good intentions to understand pupils’, staff members’, and families’ lived experie
Behaviour, Belonging, and Better Schools with Michael Chiles, Mind the Gap, Ep.130 (S7,E3)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Michael Chiles, headteacher and author of several educational books, for a candid and practical conversation about what school improvement really looks like from the headteacher’s chair. Michael reflects on the work of building change with an established staff, from listening carefully to teachers and pupils before sett
Keeping Great Teachers with Dr Haili Hughes, Mind the Gap, Ep.129 (S7,E2)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined once again by Dr Haili Hughes, Associate Professor at La Trobe University in Melbourne, for a wide-ranging conversation about teacher development, retention, professional identity, and the conditions that help teachers thrive. Drawing on her recent books Coaching for Adaptive Expertise and Love the One You’re With, Haili e
Making Coaching Work in Schools with Matt Stone, Mind the Gap, Ep.128 (S7,E1)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner open a brand new season with Matt Stone, Director of Education at Teaching Walkthrus and lead author of Coaching Walkthrus, for a deeply practical conversation about what it really takes to make coaching work in schools. Matt traces his journey from secondary English teacher and senior leader and how those experiences led to him want
Why Executive Function Matters for Every Child with Sarah Oberle, Mind the Gap, Ep.127 (S6,E25)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Dr. Sarah Oberle, primary teacher, cognitive science advocate and co-author of Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom, for a rich and highly practical conversation about what the science of learning means for younger children. Sarah explains why executive functions - especially working memory, inhibition and cognit
Making Every Lesson Continue to Count (11 Years Later) with Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby, Mind the Gap, Ep.126 (S6,E24)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby from Durrington High School to revisit the enduring influence of their landmark book Making Every Lesson Count, 11 years on. Together they reflect on how the book’s six principles - challenge, explanation, modelling, practice, feedback, and questioning - emerged from real classroom and whol
Comparative Judgement and the Future of Assessment with Daisy Christodoulou Mind the Gap, Ep.125 (S6,E23)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Daisy Christodoulou, Director of Education at No More Marking, for a fascinating conversation about assessment, comparative judgement, AI and what makes writing better. Daisy explains how comparative judgement offers a more reliable alternative to traditional rubric-based marking, why humans are often better at comparin
Reclaiming the Ambitious Years with Mary Myatt, Mind the Gap, Ep.124 (S6,E22)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined once again by Mary Myatt, education writer, speaker and author of The Ambitious Years, for a compelling conversation about reclaiming Key Stage 3 as a vital phase of education in its own right. Mary makes the case that Years 7–9 should not be treated merely as preparation for GCSEs, but as a rich, intellectually ambitious
Where the Magic Happens: Inside an Exceptional EYFS Classroom with Dixie-Louise Dexter, Mind the Gap, Ep.123 (S6,E21)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Dixie-Louise Dexter, Assistant Head, EYFS lead and English lead, for a rich and practical exploration of what high-quality early years provision really looks like. Dixie shares how her team creates the “magic” of reception through meticulous attention to detail: a carefully planned induction process, strong relationship
Teaching Through Examples: The Power of Direct Instruction with Tom Needham, Mind the Gap, Ep.122 (S6,E20)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Tom Needham - teacher, school leader, and author of Engelmann’s Direct Instruction in Action - to explore what direct instruction really means. Marking the final book in the In Action series, the conversation digs into Siegfried Engelmann’s work, from the power of carefully sequenced examples and non-examples to the imp
Lighting the Fire: Motivation and Meaning in Teaching with Christian Mba, Mind the Gap, Ep.121 (S6,E19)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Christian Mba, who is a vice principal, speaker, content creator, and now author of the upcoming book, Teach Like Your Heart Is On Fire. The trio engage in an uplifting conversation about purpose, passion and the moral imperative at the heart of teaching. Christian reflects on his journey into education, the teachers an
Context Matters, Especially for Inspections, Mind the Gap, Ep.120 (S6,E18)
In this episode Tom and Emma go head-to-head to discuss realities that schools face as they grapple with an ever-expanding variety of social and economic issues while simultaneously attempting to deliver quality education. Emma says, "I think we could probably agree as a profession that there are core things that are common to great classroom teaching, but in terms of school improvement, I th
What Great Coaching Does and Doesn't Look Like, Mind the Gap, Ep.119 (S6,E17)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Sarah Cottinghatt and Adam Kohlbeck to explore the craft and complexity of instructional coaching, drawing on their widely shared Coaching Cuts series on Substack. The conversation unpacks how coaching can move beyond surface-level feedback to focus on teacher decision-making and mental models, and why the most powerful
Inside the EEF: Evidence, Impact, and Implementation with Becky Francis, Mind the Gap, Ep.118 (S6,E16)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Professor Becky Francis, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation, for a rich and wide-ranging discussion about the role of evidence in improving education - and the complexities that come with it. Becky unpacks how the EEF has evolved from a research-focused organisation into a trusted, sector-facing resource used by
Inside Craig Barton’s 16-Book Teaching Project, Mind the Gap, Ep.117 (S6,E15)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Craig Barton - maths teacher, podcaster, and co-founder of Eedi - to discuss his ambitious new project: a series of 16 short books, each exploring a single, highly specific element of classroom practice. Drawing on three to four years spent visiting schools and observing hundreds of lessons, Craig explains the thinking
Scaffolding Effectively with Alex Fairlamb and Rachel Ball, Mind the Gap, Ep.116 (S6,E14)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Alex Fairlamb and Rachel Ball, co-authors of The Scaffolding Effect, to explore what scaffolding really is (and isn’t) and why it has become such a pivotal idea in the move from “differentiation” to adaptive teaching. They discuss the research roots of the term, the practical reality of “knowing–doing,” and the central
The Power of Teams in Schools with Sam Crome, Mind the Gap, Ep.115 (S6,E13)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Sam Crome, teacher, leader and author of The Power of Teams, to explore what it really takes to build teams that thrive in schools. Sam reflects on why so much leadership development is still overly individualistic, and shares the practical principles behind strong teams - belonging, alignment, purposeful operations, he
Instructional Design and Educational Research with Carl Hendrick, Mind the Gap, Ep.114 (S6,E12)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner welcome back Dr Carl Hendrick - writer, researcher and relentless “research distiller” - for a wide-ranging conversation about what the educational research can (and can’t) tell us, and how ideas mutate as they travel through schools. Starting with Carl’s monthly research round-ups and emerging areas like pre-questions (“pre-trieval”
Strategic Subtraction, Teaching Sprints, and Pruning: How Schools Create Space to Improve with Simon Breakspear, Mind the Gap, Ep.113 (S6,E11)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington is joined by Dr Simon Breakspear - educational researcher, author, and system leader based in Australia - for a wide-ranging conversation about how improvement actually happens at scale. Together they explore Simon’s distinctive role working across classrooms, schools, networks, and entire systems, and why sustainable change depends less on policy m
The Hidden Lives of Learners, Revisited with Bennie Kara, Mind the Gap, Ep.112 (S6,E10)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Bennie Kara - former teacher, consultant, and author of Nuthall’s Hidden Lives of Learners in Action - to explore what learning really looks like beneath the surface of the classroom. Drawing on Graham Nuthall’s seminal research, Bennie unpacks the idea of the three worlds of the classroom (the public, social, and priva
Continuous Provision Done Right with Jude Arkwright, Mind the Gap, Ep.111 (S6,E9)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Jude Arkwright, headteacher of St Michael’s CE, Aldbourne, to explore how a strong culture of professional trust, research-informed practice, and professional development can transform teaching and learning. Jude shares how long-term staff stability and coaching triplets have created a school where teachers openly exami
Leading With Courage: Ann Palmer on Diversity, Inclusion, and AI, Mind the Gap, Ep.110 (S6,E8)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Ann Palmer - educator, leadership coach, and founder of Figtree International - for a rich conversation spanning diversity, leadership, and the future of AI in education. Drawing on over 35 years of experience as a headteacher, Ofsted inspector, and international trainer, Ann shares how her work now centres on helping l
What Makes a Great Curriculum with Catherine Priggs & Hugh Richards, Mind the Gap, Ep.109 (S6,E7)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Catherine Priggs and Hugh Richards, co-authors of Secondary History in Action, to dig into what great history curriculum and leadership look like in practice. They discuss starting with a clear departmental vision, making brave choices about what to include (and exclude), and balancing school context with disciplinary i
Social Mobility Rooted in Pedagogy with Alun Francis, Mind the Gap, Ep.108 (S6,E6)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Alun Francis OBE - Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College and Chair of the UK Social Mobility Commission - for a wide-ranging conversation about further education (FE), the importance of pedagogy in post-16 education, and what genuine upward mobility looks like in real communities. Alun traces the origins of
The Science of Paying Attention with Mike Hobbiss, Mind the Gap, Ep.107 (S6,E5)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Mike Hobbiss - teacher, researcher, and author - to dive into the science of attention and what it means for everyday teaching. Mike shares what he uncovered during his PhD and subsequent research about attention in real classrooms (and that its main detractors are peers, mind-wandering, background noise, and phones) an
Implementing Evidence-Informed Practice at Scale with Meg Lee and Jim Heal, Mind the Gap, Ep.106 (S6,E4)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington is joined by Meg Lee and Jim Heal, co-founders of Learning Science Partners, to explore how to make evidence-informed practice live and last at scale. Meg and Jim share why learning science should be a lens rather than an initiative, how they build common language across large, complex districts, and the three-phase approach they use to build, deepe
Memory Is the Residue of Thought: Daniel Willingham, Mind the Gap, Ep.105 (S6,E3)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by cognitive psychologist and bestselling author Professor Daniel Willingham to explore how insights from cognitive science can transform classroom practice. The conversation ranges from his influential book Why Don’t Students Like School? to the enduring truth that “memory is the residue of thought.” Together, they discus
Fixing Math(s) Education with Anna Stokke, Mind the Gap, Ep.104 (S6,E2)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Anna Stokke, mathematician, professor at the University of Winnipeg, and host of the Chalk and Talk podcast. Together they explore the so-called “math wars,” the persistence of flawed research claims, and the crucial role of strong foundations in mathematics education. Anna shares her advocacy work, from challenging myt
Celebrating Great Teachers with John Tomsett, Mind the Gap, Ep.103 (S6,E1)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by John Tomsett, former school leader and educational author, to talk about his latest two books, This Much I Know About Truly Great Primary/Secondary Teachers (and what we can learn from them). The episode is a celebration of teaching, which is messy, complex, and can't always be quantified. That being said, John has
Keep Calm and Lead On with Patrick Cozier, Mind the Gap, Ep.102 (S5,E18)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Patrick Cozier, long-serving headteacher of Highgate Wood School in Haringey, London and author of the forthcoming book Calm Leadership. Patrick shares insights from nearly two decades in headship, and the conversation explores the tension between personal identity and professional responsibility, the evolving role of s
Powering Up Pedagogy with Bruce Robertson, Mind the Gap, Ep.101 (S5,E17)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Bruce Robertson, Scottish school leader and author of The Teaching Delusion series. Bruce shares his path from chemistry teacher to system leader, and what led him to write a trilogy of books on improving teaching in schools. Together, they explore the gulf between intention and implementation in school improvement, the
Five Years of Making Education Work Across the Globe with Tom and Emma, Mind the Gap, Ep.100 (S5,E16)
We've reached the 100th episode of Mind the Gap! In this special anniversary episode, Tom and Emma look back at five years of making the podcast, reminiscing about interviews with a multitude of guests. They also talk about what they're doing now and where the podcast is headed next.Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in t
The Errors Tour: Codification and Adaptation with Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, Mind the Gap, Ep.99 (S5,E15)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, teacher educator, instructional coach, and creator of The Playbook Project. Bronwyn shares her journey from music teacher to one of Australia’s leading voices on instructional practice, reflecting on what it really takes to support effective teaching in context. Together, they explore the power and
Disengaged Children and How Schools Can Win Them Back with Jenny Anderson, Mind the Gap, Ep.98 (S5,E14)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson is joined by journalist and author Jenny Anderson to discuss her acclaimed new book The Disengaged Teen—a powerful exploration of why so many young people are tuning out of school and what we can do about it. Drawing on extensive research, real-world stories, and her own experience as both a parent and reporter, Jenny introduces her framework of four
The Return of Tom with Emma and Jon, Mind the Gap, Ep.97 (S5,E13)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Emma Turner and Jon Hutchinson are reunited with co-host Tom Sherrington, returning from an extended break with fresh insights, global experiences, and a surprising new passion: yoga. Together, they reflect on what’s changed—and what hasn’t—in education during Tom’s time away, diving into international comparisons, curriculum development, and the evolving culture a
Disciplinary Literacy, PedTech, and Flexible Working with Shareen Wilkinson, Mind the Gap, Ep.96 (S5,E12)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Emma Turner is joined by Shareen Wilkinson, Executive Director of Education at LEO Academy Trust, and author of books for both children and teachers. Shareen shares insights from her new book, Disciplinary Literacy in Primary Schools, offering a fresh, practical lens on reading, writing, and speaking across the curriculum. Together, they explore what it really mean
Teaching for Agency: The Power of Self-Efficacy in the Classroom with Dr Neil Gilbride, Mind the Gap, Ep.95 (S5,E11)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson is joined by educator, researcher, and author Neil Gilbride to explore the powerful concept of self-efficacy—and why it matters now more than ever in schools. Drawing from his new book, Neil delves into the psychological foundations of self-efficacy, its relationship to agency, and the practical ways it can transform classroom practice. He shares ins
From Care to Change: On Purpose, Power, and Social Action with Saaed Atcha, Mind the Gap, Ep.94 (S5,E10)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Saeed Atcha MBE, social entrepreneur, charity leader, and former Social Mobility Commissioner. Saeed shares his remarkable journey from growing up in care to founding Youth Leads UK at just 15 years old, creating a platform to amplify young voices and drive social change. Together, they explore the power of purpose, the
Just Tell Them: Explicit Teaching with Zach Groshell, Mind the Gap, Ep.93 (S5,E9)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Zach Groshell, educator, consultant, and author of Just Tell Them: Explicit Teaching and the Science of Learning. Zach shares insights from his book, which challenges traditional assumptions about instruction and advocates for a structured, interactive approach to teaching. Together, they explore the misconceptions surro
Reading Myths, Mastery & Motivation, Getting Fluent with Christopher Such, Mind the Gap, Ep.92 (S5,E8)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Chris Such, primary educator and author ofThe Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading and his newest book,Primary Reading Simplified. Chris returns to discuss his latest book, which moves beyond research principles to offer a concrete model for reading instruction. Together, they explore the challenges of teaching re
Head to Head with Jon and Emma: Reflections on a Transformative Year in Education, Mind the Gap, Ep.91 (S5,E7)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Emma and Jon reflect on a year of transformation in education and discuss the insights gained from their fascinating guests. This annual roundup dives into critical topics such as the growing recognition of Early Years education, flexible working in leadership, and the evolving challenges in recruitment and retention across the profession.Emma shares her delight at
Professional Love and Belonging: Anti-Racist Practice with Liz Pemberton, Mind the Gap, Ep.90 (S5,E6)
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Emma Turner and Jon Hutchinson are joined by Liz Pemberton, renowned as "The Black Nursery Manager" and a transformative voice in early years education. Liz reflects on her journey from managing family-run nurseries to establishing her anti-racist training and consultancy company. She delves into the significance of cultural safety, psychological safety, and her pi
The Leaders We’ve Been Waiting For: Schools and Trusts as Civic Anchors with Leora Cruddas, Mind the Gap, Ep.89 (S5,E5)
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts. Leora shares her journey from teaching in apartheid-era South Africa to becoming a leading voice in educational policy and academy trust leadership. Together, they explore the evolution of academy trusts, the importance of stable leadership, and the challenges of
Curriculum Coherence and Equity in Schools with Aziza Ajak, Mind the Gap, Ep.88 (S5,E4)
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner welcome Aziza Ajak, an influential voice in education leadership and curriculum development. Aziza shares her journey from classroom teacher to vice principal, offering insights into her impactful work on curriculum coherence and systemic equity. Together, they explore the challenges and rewards of bridging primary and secondary educa
Balancing Parenthood and Teaching: Emma Sheppard on the Motherhood Penalty in Education, Mind the Gap, Ep.87 (S5,E3)
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Emma Turner welcomes Emma Sheppard, founder of the Maternity Teacher Paternity Teacher (MTPT) Project. Together, they explore Sheppard's journey in founding the project, starting with her own experiences of motherhood and her passion for maintaining her professional identity as a teacher. The conversation dives into the challenges working parents face in balancing
The Daycare Myth: Dr. Dan Wuori on Early Years Education and Policy, Mind the Gap, Ep.86 (S5,E2)
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Emma Turner and Jon Hutchinson welcome Dr. Dan Wuori, a renowned expert in early childhood education. Together, they discuss the vital role of early years development, highlighting Dan's work in policy advocacy and his social media presence, where he blends adorable videos of children with deep analysis of early development principles. Dan shares insights from his
How It All Starts: What the Research Tells Us about Early Years Education with Dr Julian Grenier, Mind the Gap, Ep.85 (S5,E1)
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Julian Grenier, a leading expert in early years education. Together, they discuss the foundations of early childhood learning, focusing on the crucial role of relationships and the development of coherent, supportive environments for young learners. Julian emphasizes the need for consistency in early years curricula, say
Thriving in Teaching: Mentorship and Inclusion with Yamina Bibi, Mind the Gap, Ep.84 (S4,E21)
In this special season finale of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Yamina Bibi, a dynamic deputy head teacher and author of Thriving in Your First Years of Teaching. Yamina shares her journey from a shy, introverted new teacher to an influential leader in education, driven by her passion for teaching, learning, and mentoring. The conversation highlights her dedication to
Cognitive Connections: Elaboration and Learning with Dr. Megan Sumeracki, Mind the Gap, Ep.83 (S4,E20)
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Dr. Megan Sumeracki, co-founder of The Learning Scientists. Megan shares her journey from being an educational psychology professor to co-creating The Learning Scientists, highlighting the motivation and challenges behind making cognitive science research accessible. The discussion delves into the concept of elaboration
Scaling Impactful PD with Steplab’s Founder Josh Goodrich, Mind the Gap, Ep.82 (S4,E19)
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Josh Goodrich, founder of Steplab. Josh shares his journey from being an English teacher and deputy principal to creating Steplab, an organization focused on improving professional development through instructional coaching. The discussion covers the core elements of Josh’s book, Responsive Coaching including awareness,
Educational Wisdom from The Learning Spy with David Didau, Mind the Gap, Ep.81 (S4, E18)
On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by David Didau, known in the education blogosphere as The Learning Spy. David shares his journey in education, discussing his transition from teaching to becoming a prominent voice in education and research, and then back to teaching. The conversation explores key topics such as the role of cognitive science in teaching, t
Opening Worlds: Curriculum Design with Christine Counsell, Mind the Gap, Ep.80 (S4, E17)
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 r
Oracy with Nikki Sullivan and Rachel Higginson, Mind the Gap, Ep.79 (S4,E16)
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 s
Bonus: Responsive Teaching with Bron Ryrie Jones, Mind the Gap, Ep.78 (S4, E15)
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
Desirable Difficulties with Jade Pearce and Isaac Moore, Mind the Gap, Ep.77 (S4, E14)
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 Ric
Head to Head with Tom and Emma: Curriculum, Oracy, Observations, and Expertise, Mind the Gap, Ep. 76 (S4, E13)
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 ne
The Five Steps of Formative Action with René Kneyber and Valentina Devid, Mind the Gap, Ep.75 (S4, E12)
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
The Seminal Albums of Educational Research - and how they apply in the classroom with Carl Hendrick, Mind the Gap, Ep.74 (S4,E11)
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
Coherent Curriculum and Community with Jon Hutchinson, Mind the Gap, Ep.73 (S4,E10)
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 la
Confidence, Authenticity, and Empowerment: Inspiring Aspiring Black School Leaders with Amanda Wilson, Mind the Gap, Ep.72 (S4,E9)
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, a
What the Research Actually Says with Rob Coe, Mind the Gap, Ep.71 (S4,E8)
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 belief
Readying Students for Rigo(u)r: Culturally Responsive Teaching with Zaretta Hammond, Mind the Gap, Ep.70 (S4,E7)
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
Making Classrooms More Inclusive with Dr Pippa and Bradley Busch, Mind the Gap, Ep.69 (S4,E6)
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
The Culture Heptagon: How Leaders Cultivate Strong School Cultures with Lekha Sharma, Mind the Gap, Ep.68 (S4,E5)
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 te
The Impact of Guests: Reflecting on the Lessons Learned and Inspiration Shared, Mind the Gap, Ep. 67 (S4,E4)
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
Breaking Barriers: Embracing Individual Differences in Education, Mind the Gap, Ep. 66 (S4,E3)
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 o
Mind the Gap Presents Mr Barton Maths Podcast: Tools and Tips for Teachers with Ollie Lovell, Emma Turner and Tom Sherrington
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.c
Teacher Training, Coaching, and the Challenges of Implementation, Mind the Gap, Ep. 65 (S4,E2)
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 defendin
The Power of Teaching: Making a Positive Impact with Alom Shaha, Mind the Gap, Ep. 64 (S4,E1)
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, s
Cultivating Excellence and Empowering Teachers with Caroline Derbyshire, Mind the Gap, Ep. 63 (S3,E19)
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
Creating an Engaging Classroom: Imagination & Storytelling with Hywel Roberts, Mind the Gap, Ep. 62 (S3,E18)
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, a
Reflecting on Teaching Curriculum and School Leadership, Mind the Gap, Ep. 61 (S3,E17)
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 encou
Bold School Leadership with Vic Goddard, Mind the Gap, Ep. 60 (S3E16)
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
Professional Learning Skills for Teachers with Jim Knight
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 Cyc
Meticulous Community Engagement with Sufian Sadiq, Mind the Gap, Ep. 58 (S3E14)
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.
Why Representation Matters with Aisha Thomas, Mind the Gap, Ep. 57 (S3E13)
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 s
The Jigsaw Puzzle of Learning with Sarah Cottingham, Mind the Gap, Ep. 56 (S3E12)
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 studen
Designing Teaching & Understanding Learners with Dylan Wiliam, Mind the Gap, Ep. 55 (S3E11)
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 val
Useful Learning with Efrat Furst, Mind the Gap, Ep. 54 (S3E10)
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
