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 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.