Tom and Emma discuss the lack of shock within the profession regarding the amount of stress people feel and how it potentially can lead to such tragedies is surprising. We must look at the high-stress system to make it more supportive and encourage leaders to improve. Our guests, emphasized the importance of finding the right match for a school, leading with passion, worth, and a deep sense of achievement.

This episode also touched on the concept of multi novice status, recognizing that children arrive at secondary school with more proficiency in certain subjects, while still developing in others. It can be challenging to teach standalone subjects in primary school, especially with children still novice in multiple areas simultaneously. Thus, the primary curriculum should be taught in interconnected ways rather than as isolated subjects.

Overall, this episode offers critiques, reflections, and insights into the education profession while providing resources for teachers and school leaders to improve their practice.

About the participants:

Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action, and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleges across the UK and around the world. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead

Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early-career teachers,’ a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is the author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners, Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education, and Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership.

Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75.