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 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.