On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by René Kneyber and Valentina Devid, co-founders of Toets Revolutie in the Netherlands and co-authors of the upcoming book Formative action: From instrument to design. The four of them talk about the concept of formative action, which is purposefully named to steer clear of the sometimes-problematic term 'assessment'. They walk through the five steps involved in formative action, and highlight how it can be empowering for both teachers - aiding their learning processes - and students - giving them agency and independence. René Kneyber is a former mathematics teacher and currently a consultant and book publisher in the Netherlands. He has written and edited multiple high-profile books on classroom authority and discipline, including the Dutch book Het Alternatief and the Dutch translation of Embedding Formative Assessment by Dylan Wiliam. Follow him on Twitter @rkneyber_EN Valentina Devid is a co-founder and trainer at Toets Revolutie. She is an experienced secondary school teacher, assessment expert, speaker, and education consultant now primarily focussed on formative assessment. Follow her on Twitter @valentinadevid 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 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. Follow Emma on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emma_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/

Carl Hendrick discusses how education research can be compared to compiling classic rock albums for teachers, emphasizing the importance of play-based learning in early education. The discussion explores the challenges of applying research in the classroom and the need for teachers to engage with educational research to enhance their practices.

Jon Hutchinson discusses the importance of curricular coherence in education, emphasizing the journey of each student. The conversation explores Reach's initiatives, instructional coaching, and community engagement to improve educational systems.

Experienced school leader Amanda Wilson discusses the importance of confidence, authenticity, and empowerment in aspiring black school leaders. She highlights the challenges faced by black educators in leadership roles, emphasizes the need for representation in education, and shares insights on her upcoming projects and networking efforts.

Professor Rob Coe joins Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss his work on evidence-based education. They delve into the EEF Toolkit and the Sutton Trust report, challenging educators' beliefs. They also explore the latest craze of instructional coaching and what the research actually says about it.

Zaretta Hammond, education expert, discusses the 'ready for rigor' framework and the importance of culturally responsive teaching. They delve into understanding culture in teaching, instructional decision-making, therapeutic alliance, and building rapport in the classroom.

Educational power couple Dr Pippa and Bradley Busch discuss the effects of COVID on children's development, how to make the school environment more low stakes, and their favorite classroom strategies to help pupils learn better.

Lekha Sharma, School Improvement Lead for the Avanti Schools Trust, joins Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner on Mind The Gap. They explore building a positive school culture, its connection to curriculum, and the role of small interactions. The episode also discusses transforming negative cultures, importance of trust-building, and upcoming world education summit.

Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner reflect on the profound insights and powerful moments shared by their guests. They discuss the importance of accessible primary education and leaving a lasting legacy through teaching. The duo explores the significance of routines and norms for successful learning environments. They appreciate the expertise shared by Dylan Wiliam, Efrat Furst, and Sarah Cottingham. Tom and Emma highlight inspiring individuals who have impacted the education community. Mind The Gap goes beyond interviews, providing a space for meaningful conversations and professional development.

In this episode, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Ben Newmark to discuss breaking barriers and embracing individual differences in education. They challenge conventional thinking on educating clever children and highlight the importance of not categorizing all students under SEND. The podcast emphasizes the need for a more inclusive and personalized approach to education that empowers students of all abilities to reach their full potential.