S1E19: Tom Sherrington on Rosenshine, behaviour and why we should stop grading schools
May 31, 2021
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Tom Sherrington, a seasoned educator with over 30 years of teaching experience, dives deep into effective instructional strategies and behavior management. He passionately critiques the practice of grading schools, arguing for systemic change to support educators and enhance student outcomes. The conversation also highlights Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction, emphasizing their crucial role in fostering effective teaching. Tom shares insights from his journey, revealing the transformative power of a supportive learning environment in education.
The podcast critiques the detrimental impact of labeling schools as 'inadequate,' advocating for more positive and constructive language in education.
Tom Sherrington's influential work emphasizes practical strategies for classroom improvement and encourages reflective practices among educators.
Technology, particularly social media, is highlighted for its role in fostering collaboration and the sharing of innovative teaching methods among educators.
Effective behavior management systems are essential for creating a positive classroom culture, where respect and learning can thrive collectively.
The podcast advocates for a national baccalaureate that embraces diverse educational pathways, promoting inclusivity and holistic student development.
Deep dives
The Importance of Educational Language
The podcast emphasizes the paramount importance of language surrounding education, specifically criticizing the labeling of schools or educators as 'inadequate.' Such terminology is deemed counterproductive and damaging, contributing to a negative culture in which educators feel undervalued and demoralized. The speaker argues that instead of using derogatory terms, a more constructive approach should be adopted that fosters improvement and recognizes the efforts of educators in challenging environments. This shift in language could lead to a more supportive educational system that encourages growth and development.
Tom Sherrington's Educational Impact
The podcast highlights Tom Sherrington's profound influence and popularity in the educational community through his various publications and training initiatives. With over 30 years of experience in teaching and school leadership, he has authored impactful works, including 'The Learning Rainforest' and 'Rosenshine's Principles in Action.' His writing emphasizes bridging theoretical knowledge with practical classroom strategies, gaining significant traction and a dedicated following among educators. Sherrington's work embodies an optimistic view of education, urging teachers to reflect on and enhance their practices.
The Role of Technology in Teaching
Discussion in the podcast reveals the potential of technology in transforming teaching paradigms. Specifically, how the use of social media and online platforms has enabled educators to share insights and collaborate on innovative teaching methods. This growing community of practice has led to an increased engagement among educators with evidence-based strategies, improving teaching standards. Embracing technology has created opportunities for real-time professional development and communication, fostering a more connected and informed teaching profession.
Behavior Management and Classroom Culture
The podcast reveals the ongoing struggles many teachers face with behavior management and creating a positive classroom culture. Experiences shared highlight both the frustration at encountering challenging behaviors and the vital need for consistent systems that promote respect and learning. A focus on establishing clear behavior expectations is presented as essential to facilitating a productive learning environment where all students can thrive. The speaker emphasizes that the responsibility for maintaining classroom discipline should not fall solely on individual teachers but should be supported by robust school-wide policies.
Defining an Inclusive Curriculum
The conversation addresses the pressing need for a well-defined national baccalaureate that embraces inclusivity and values diverse educational pathways for students. The voices of educators and learners should shape a curriculum that allows everyone to succeed while recognizing different strengths. By moving away from a narrow focus on traditional subjects, the curriculum could encompass a broader range of skills that promote creativity, critical thinking, and personal development. Such a shift would allow students to have a more holistic educational experience that prepares them for life beyond school.
Accountability and Professional Development
The podcast critiques current accountability systems in education, indicating that they often foster fear rather than encourage genuine improvement. The need for supportive and constructive accountability frameworks that contribute to teacher professional growth is emphasized. By fostering a culture of collaboration and ongoing development, educators can be empowered to refine their practices without the threat of punitive measures. The conversation suggests that successful accountability should focus on constructive feedback rather than labeling schools as 'inadequate' or 'outstanding.'
The Future of Educational Policy
Discussion turns to the urgent necessity for rethinking educational policy to support teachers and schools effectively. The speaker envisions a system where expertise from experienced educators shapes policy decisions, leading to sustainable change. By focusing on effective structures, such as a national baccalaureate, educational leaders can develop a more coherent, accessible framework that emphasizes student outcomes and teacher support. This approach seeks to break away from short-term political agendas and prioritize long-term benefits for the educational landscape.
Rethinking Assessment Practices
The podcast underscores the need to critically evaluate current assessment practices, highlighting the challenges posed by existing frameworks that prioritize exam results over holistic student development. Suggestions for utilizing continuous assessment methods and personal evaluation over high-stakes exams aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of student progress. The potential for an evolved assessment system that balances academic performance with soft skills and personal growth is discussed. This shift would enable a more equitable approach to evaluating student success and better reflect the complexities of education.
Celebrating Teacher Resilience
Throughout the conversation, the resilience and commitment of educators facing diverse challenges are greatly acknowledged. The shared experiences highlight the emotional toll of teaching, especially when confronted with systemic pressures and high-stakes evaluations. Yet, the podcast reaffirms the enthusiasm many teachers exhibit for their profession and the positive impact they can have on their students and communities. There's a call for the broader recognition of educators' dedication, emphasizing that their well-being must be prioritized for effective teaching and learning to flourish.
The Call for an Integrated Framework
The podcast calls for an integrated approach to educational frameworks that encompasses both academic and personal development components. The speaker advocates for achieving a balance between core subjects and the inclusion of arts, sports, and life skills to create well-rounded students. This integration supports an environment where students not only excel academically but also develop essential social skills and emotional intelligence. By valuing all aspects of student growth, schools can nurture capable individuals who are better prepared for the complexities of adulthood.
Tom Sherrington is one of those guests who probably needs no introduction, but in case his prolific output has somehow passed you by these last few years, here’s a quick one. A former teacher and school leader for over 30 years, more recently Tom has become a hugely popular blogger, author and training provider. His blog (teacherhead.com) has had approaching 7 million hits, and his recent books Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and the Teaching Walkthru series, co-authored with Oliver Caviglioli, are pretty much permanent fixtures at the top of the educational book charts. Tom also previous authored ‘The Learning Rainforest’, in which he set out his philosophy and vision for education.
In the first part of the conversation, you may notice that there were a few minor glitches due to faltering bandwidth. I’ve done my best to edit these out but some of them I’ve kept in, a) because you can tell what is being said, and b) it was interesting stuff. Anyway, whenever it happens, it’s a short lived problem, so please do not adjust your set.
I really enjoyed this wide-ranging and at times quite emotive conversation with Tom in which, among other things, we discussed Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction, the importance of effective behaviour management systems and why we need to stop grading schools.
LINKS:
Edugive https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edugiveuk-curriculum-conference-tickets-154120832559
National baccalaureate consultation: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A6JELAzzkTAdihmrVS2I5GEp_pEF92tX3oDp-RGb9mw/edit
The Learning Rainforest: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Learning-Rainforest-Great-Teaching-Classrooms/dp/1911382357
Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosenshines-Principles-Action-Tom-Sherrington/dp/1912906201
Teaching Walkthru Vol. 1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Teaching-WalkThrus-Five-step-instructional-coaching/dp/1912906767
Teaching Walkthru Vol. 2: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Teaching-WalkThrus-Five-step-instructional-coaching/dp/1913622479
The Rethinking Education podcast is hosted and produced by Dr James Mannion. You can contact him at rethinking-ed.org/contact, or via @RethinkingJames on Twitter.
You can join the Rethinking Education Mighty Network here: https://rethinking-education.mn.co
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