For this episode, Tom and Emma switch up the format of the podcast. Using a volley approach, they go back and forth asking questions and providing insight on issues in education today. Tom and Emma are both extremely involved in the teacher community, primarily through their daily work as educators, attendance at conferences, and EDU Twitter. In this episode, they take a moment to call upon the struggles of that community and discuss a few intriguing challenges across primary and secondary education. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. On the primary side, the list includes of topics include: proscribed language modules, student engagement, parents helping their students with homework and school projects, curriculum vs topic-based learning, and on the secondary side, the topics include: short and long lunch periods, group/collaborative learning, and GCSEs. Tom and Emma also discuss general issues around education including the publishing and curriculum industries. Overall the conversation shows the variety of problems and solutions educators are grappling with. As the summer recess begins, it is a perfect time to discuss your ideas with your fellow teachers, administrators, and scholars. Join the conversation and tell us your favorite teacher topic on Twitter with #MindTheGap, your question might end up on the next Q&A! 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

For this episode, Tom and Emma chat all things data, community, and policy with educator, leader, and entrepreneur Laura McInerney. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. To start they discuss Laura’s journey from early Teach First pioneer, to her position as editor for Schools Week, to her current position as co-founder of Teacher Tapp, an application that polls teachers on their thoughts concerning discourse in education. In each of her positions, Laura has had a solitary mission: to collect information and put it in the hands of those who need it most.  A major topic in this discussion concerned the demographics of educators using Teacher Tapp and how Laura and her team use their intimate knowledge of the education sector to best represent the data they collect. To learn more about Teacher Tapp and its mission here: https://teachertapp.co.uk/ About the participants: Laura McInerney is an educator, journalist, public speaker, and co-founder of Teacher Tapp.  A lifelong educator and advocate, you can find her numerous articles, interviews, and speaking events on her website: https://lauramcinerney.com/ Follow Laura on Twitter @miss_mcinerney 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

For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with Kieran Mackle, an author, podcast host, and primary school maths leader. The conversation begins with a discussion on mathematics strategy for teachers. Kieran’s most recent book, Thinking Deeply About Primary Mathematics, discusses hundreds of strategies for teachers with researched and practiced methodologies. One major topic that Tom, Emma, and Kieran discuss is the structural discourse around maths education and foundational learning, particularly pedagogical differences concerning mental maths and formal algorithm. Kieran puts forth a system of using consistency as a goal for a national curriculum that focuses on skill generation and mathematical fluency rather than content coverage. Kieran’s philosophy largely stems from mathematical maturation, a concept from Mark McCourt’s book Teaching For Mastery, a seminal work on the subject. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Later in the discussion, the group focuses on scheme implementation in primary mathematics. Kieran focuses primarily on the power of time when it comes to introducing pedagogical schemes into primary learning. Taking time to decide on a scheme and evaluate its potency is essential. About the participants: Kieran Mackle is a 15+ year primary mathematics educator and leader. He is also the author of several books and articles including Tackling Misconceptions in Primary Mathematics and Thinking Deeply About Primary Mathematics. In addition, Kieran hosts the Thinking Deeply About Primary Education [TDAPE] podcast, inviting educators to discuss strategies, problems, and solutions facing primary education today. Follow Kieran on Twitter @Kieran_M_Ed 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. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma Turner joined Discovery Schools Academy Trust as the Research and CPD lead after 20 years in primary teaching. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

For this episode, Tom and Emma chat about several recent accomplishments, a special anniversary for Tom, and a new program Baccalaureate that Tom is interested in. To start, Emma’s new book Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum & Effective Subject Leadership is available for purchase and has already reached Amazon's bestseller levels of success. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Next on the list for exciting celebrations is the 10-year anniversary of Tom’s Teacherhead blog. What began as a way for Tom to share ideas with fellow educators has become a site with over 7.5 million views and hundreds of articles that have been read in nearly every corner of the world (except, as Tom points out, the West Sahara). Tom's following in the education community includes a number of experts, educators, and researchers. Tom then discusses his and other English educators' work on creating a framework for a National Baccalaureate program. Based on the International Baccalaureate (IB) system, the program Tom is supporting would increase access to a more well-rounded and student-driven curriculum than anything currently available to students in England. A major focus for Tom is how disparate he feels the education system can be due to socioeconomic limitations. Tom hopes a more well-rounded Baccalaureate initiative could address that gap. 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

For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with Christopher Such, an #author and primary teacher from Peterborough. In the first part of their conversation, the group discusses Christopher’s focus on literacy and teaching reading in primary school. Christopher’s book on teaching reading (The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading) has recently been buzzing through the UK #education world. The book's strength comes from Christopher's experience teaching primary reading, particularly his ability to connect with the learner and the dynamics of what makes a great reader. Rather than provide a step-by-step approach to teaching reading, Christopher’s book offers a #framework for education that contextualizes teaching reading in their own experience and lesson plans. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. In the second part of the discussion, Tom, Emma, and Christopher discuss the science of teaching reading. Christopher's scientific approach is revolutionary and combines concepts from other researchers in education in a workable and well-thought-out model. Christopher has a background in science, having received a bachelor's and master's in chemistry, and his book came from a want for more scientific exploration of reading. He expertly combines the experimental with the practical applications of reading theory. Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy-to-use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). About the participants: Christopher Such is a key stage one primary teacher and curriculum leader from Peterborough. He has worked in education for thirteen years, including spells in every key stage from foundation to A-Level, teaching primarily in upper key stage 2. He is also the author of The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading and articles on various topics in education. Follow Christopher on Twitter @Suchmo83 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 and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

For this episode, Tom and Emma chat about their exciting and upcoming projects, particularly Emma’s soon-to-be-published Simplicitus and Tom’s WalkThrus 3. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. To start, the duo discusses Emma’s upcoming publication, Simplicitus, an extraordinary collection of resources about primary curriculum. A major focus of the book is rooting curriculum in the actualities of primary education, particularly finding interconnected disciplines and creating complementary units. Overall, Emma’s new book focuses on interdependent learning and how it plays out in primary classrooms. Tom also has some exciting projects. He is currently recording the audiobook of The Learning Rain Forest and tells a funny story from the recording booth. Tom and Emma discuss the learning process and how their two strategies from Simplicitus and The Learning Rain Forest connect via curriculum. In other exciting news, the third installation of the WalkThrus series is available now. The collaboration between Tom and education leader Oliver Caviglioli brings together several resources and over 20 experts from across the U.K. Tom and Oliver are also planning a series of trainings for teachers to become walk thru certified, giving more capacity to support schools. It is an exciting time for the Mind The Gap podcast team, with more exciting interviews on the way! To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/. 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 and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with Frances Akinde, a headteacher for the special school in Riverdmeade Inclusive Trust. The conversation begins with a discussion on Francis’ article, The Year Getting Into ‘Good Trouble’ Became Necessary. This led to the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professional education space. Francis explores how there is not enough representation in leadership positions, discussing her time in school and as a teacher. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. In the second part of the discussion, Tom, Emma, and Francis discuss special schools and their importance to the education system. Francis has been a headteacher in a special school for three years and in that time she has garnered a wealth of knowledge and experience. Frances discusses the importance of understanding students individually and how a special school environment stops students from falling through the cracks. A particular point of emphasis for Frances is understanding the nuanced circumstances of her students and ensuring she connects with them individually to address their needs. Frances primarily works with students on the autism spectrum and her work has broadened her understanding of education and training for teachers. About the participants: Frances Akinde is the headteacher of the special school for Rivermeade Inclusive Trust in Kent. Frances started her career as an LEA specialist advisory teacher (SEN/SLCN) and AP Assessment center manager and has been in leadership roles since 2017. Outside of her work as headteacher, Francis is an advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion particularly focused on seeing more representation in education leadership. 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 and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with education “sister act” Tracey Adams and Sonia Thompson. The pair discuss their roles at St. Matthew’s Primary School in Birmingham, Sonia’s publication with John Catt Educational, and their philosophies on research-based education. In addition to being Head and Deputy Headteachers at St. Matthew’s, Tracey and Sonia are sisters and discuss their dynamic in a research school environment. St Matthew’s has garnered a lot of positive attention from the education community in the U.K, even having other educators visit quite often to take some of the techniques Sonia and Tracey use into their own classrooms across Britain. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Using a wealth of knowledge gained in the classroom, Sonia’s recent publication builds off Ron Berger’s seminal work An Ethic of Excellence: Building a Culture of Craftsmanship. Sonia’s book explores how she has used Berger’s work in the classroom to build fundamentals in reading, language, and create educational experiences that shape young students for great achievement in the future. Sonia Thompson is Head Teacher at St. Matthew’s C.E. Primary School and Director of St. Matthew’s Research School. She is an SLE for English and School Improvement and a regular speaker at conferences, such as Research Ed. You can find Sonia on Twitter @son1bun Tracey Adams is the Deputy Head Teacher at St. Matthew’s CE Primary School and Deputy Director of St. Matthew’s Research School. She is also NCETM Professional Development Lead and SLE for Maths and School Improvement. You can find Tracey on Twitter @traceya75 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. 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. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

For this episode, Tom and Emma chat with David Goodwin and Oliver Caviglioli, co-authors of  The Organise Ideas: Thinking By Hand, Extending The Mind, about all things graphic organization. This episode discusses how our memory and organization intertwine to create more comprehensive knowledge and memory in education. Using a wealth of knowledge and Annie Murphy Paul’s The Extended Mind as a primary text, David and Oliver explore “extending the point of access for intellectual thinking” and how deep the roots of mapping things like creativity, comprehension, and knowledge go. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). About the participants: David Goodwin is the head of years 10 and 11 and a geography teacher at a school in Lincolnshire. Follow David on Twitter @MrGoodwin23. Oliver Caviglioli is a former headteacher of a special school. Follow Oliver on Twitter @olicav  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 author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75

For the first episode of 2022, Tom and Emma review some of their personal successes and major education events of the previous year. Importantly, they begin the episode by acknowledging, thanking, and celebrating the educators worldwide whose dedication through the difficult 2021 year was critical to providing students with the meaningful support they deserve. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. As the conversation continues, Emma shares some recent books―Kieran Mackle’s Thinking Deeply About Primary Mathematics and Annie Murphy Paul’s The Extended Mind―that made a significant impression on her; Tom speaks about the recent ResearchED event, which brought UK educators together in-person after a long pandemic-related hiatus; Tom and Emma reflect on their 2021 interview with Doug Lemov and further collaborations the conversation inspired; and much more. Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher that has supported teachers and school leaders with research-based, easy to use professional development publications since 1959. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). 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 author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners and Let’s Talk About Flex: Flipping the flexible working narrative for education. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75