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 around professional development. Tom shares what struck him on visits to schools around the world, and why he believes the UK remains a world leader in research-informed practice. The conversation zooms in and out, from cold calling and classroom talk routines to reimagining school leadership and restoring teacher autonomy. Emma and Jon also explore the growing tension between digital delivery and what Emma calls “analogue teaching”—real-time modelling, physical resources, and authentic interactions. “Modelling is the bridge,” Emma says, “between great curriculum content and what we know about how we learn.” In a rich and wide-ranging discussion, the trio call for a renewed focus on professionalism, collaboration, and the power of collective learning—reminding us all why great teaching still matters.

Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specialising in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. 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 X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teacherhead⁠⁠⁠

Emma Turner FCCT is a school improvement advisor, education consultant, trainer and author. She has almost three decades of primary teaching, headship and leadership experience across the sector, working and leading in both MATs and LAs. She works nationally and internationally on school improvement including at single school level and at scale. She has a particular interest in research informed practice in the primary phase, early career development, and CPD design. Follow Emma on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emma_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Jon Hutchinson is a former assistant headteacher of Reach Academy Feltham and is now a Director at the Reach Foundation. He has taught across primary and secondary and HE. In his spare time, Jon runs ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.meno.acacdemy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a platform with free videos to support primary teachers to build their subject knowledge. Follow Jon on X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jon_hutchinson_⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or Bluesky ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jonhutchinson.bksy.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/