Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe

This episode is the season two premiere of Mind the Gap, and we’re pleased to welcome Nimish Lad as this season’s first guest. Nimish is Curriculum and Research Lead at the Creative Education Trust, a Vice Principal, and author of the new book, Shimamura’s MARGE Model of Learning in Action published by John Catt. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Nimish discusses the MARGE (Motivate, Attend, Relate, Generate and Evaluate) Model, which he writes about in detail in his new book. The model is a whole-brain learning approach for teachers and students that links neuroscience and cognitive science. One of the ideas that impressed Nimish the most is the way MARGE can provide a framework to refine the quality of learning aids that educators use. Tom, Emma, and Nimish also describe why teachers are like museum curators in the way they need to carefully and strategically select the artifacts that will illustrate the necessary story; the things teachers should we wary of when implementing new ideas; the power of the use of “non-examples” (“it is this, but it isn’t that…”); and much more. About the participants: Nimish Lad is Curriculum and Research Lead at the Creative Education Trust, and Vice Principal at Wrenn School in Wellingborough. As a teacher of science, he has always been drawn to evidence-informed practice and contextualising research to use within the classroom. You can find Nimish on twitter at @nlad84 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

Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner welcome best-selling author, award-winning blogger, and international speaker Tom Bennett to the show. Bennett is founder of researchED and author of several books, including Running the Room: The Teacher’s Guide to Behaviour. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. The episode begins with a conversation about what’s next for researchED. With in-person events returning, the organisation is seeing increased demand for its content and conferences. Bennett explains what he’s seeing, and why educators are so eager to convene and discuss education research. Other topics of discussion include early childhood education and, in particular, what educators should know about classroom culture and behaviour in these early years; Bennett’s observations about trends in behaviour and classroom management; how the culture and positive momentum in schools can be self-sustaining; 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). Tom Bennett is the founder of researchED, a grass-roots organisation that raises research literacy in education and campaigns for better evidence awareness worldwide. In 2015 he became the UK government’s school ‘Behaviour Czar,’ advising on behavior policy, as well as chairing the Mental Health in Schools panel. Tom’s latest books are Running the Room: The Teacher’s Guide to Behaviour and The Running the Room Companion. Follow him on Twitter @tombennett71. Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma 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

On this episode, Tom and Emma celebrate one year of Mind the Gap. The hosts reflect on some of the guests they’ve had the opportunity to interview over the course of the year. Everyone involved with the show sends a special thank you to our listeners for helping us grow! Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Next (1:55), the hosts have an extended discussion about feedback. Specifically, the instances when it isn’t helpful or useful. They dive deep into a number of perspectives to figure out the differences between written and verbal feedback, and what educators should consider about each type. Tom and Emma then reflect on their most recent interview with Abby Bayford (20:45), as well as Episode 20 with John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley. This leads into a discussion on the dynamism of the teaching community (28:00), as Tom remarks on how he’s been blown away by some of the amazing educators he’s encountered who maintain their enthusiasm despite the challenges of the past year and more. He and Emma take time to chat about the gathering of momentum around professional learning, the passion present across the profession, and more. In the final part of the discussion (36:25), the hosts discuss their latest project, in which Emma matched up the Teaching WalkThrus books with the eight standards in the Early Career Framework. Tune in to learn 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). 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

In this Mind the Gap episode, Tom and Emma speak with Abby Bayford, editor and contributor to Letter to My NQT Self. Written by the Academy Transformation Trust family and friends, the book is a collection of retrospective letters by various teachers to themselves as newly qualified teachers (NQT). Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Tom, Emma, and Abby dive into the details and importance of the book, whose proceeds are going to the charitable efforts of Education Support. Abby describes how it started as a roundtable discussion on induction experiences and guidelines for early career teachers and eventually grew into a John Catt book raising money to provide educators with mental health and wellness services. Abby wanted the book to be “a heated blanket” of support for teachers to take in on their own time, reading the letters and absorbing useful, helpful experiences. When organizing the writers for the book, Abby made deliberate requests for concrete strategies to be woven into the letter experiences. The discussion moves along with takeaways from the letters reflecting on teacher experience from authenticity to colleague collaboration, generosity, and community spirit. Mentorship and instructional coaching are examined as a more elaborate and necessary element compared to early education models. As Tom suggests, there is no reason that Letters to My NQT Self shouldn’t be available for all early educators in every school. To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/ 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 at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International). Abby Bayford is the editor of Letter to My NQT Self. Follow her on Twitter @ATT_Institute Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow Tom on Twitter @teacherhead Emma 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

In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with Bennie Kara, author of A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools. Kara initially explored education diversity through her lens of teaching English but soon found a world of interest across multi-disciplines emerging from the popularity of her book. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Kara expresses her desire to address the intersection of identity, inclusion, and equitable treatment. It’s not about highlighting individuals as victims but instead bringing to the surface the diverse circumstances that need attention. According to Kara, there is still a fundamental misunderstanding of structural boundaries and negotiating in the space. She describes how a failure to understand the structural issues creates tension and argument and remains incendiary until adequately addressed. Tom, Emma and Bennie also discuss the acceleration of diversity and equity in education, with the pace of change in primary school as a promising example. Kara’s book is described as a tool kit of sorts that allows people to feel comfortable, providing a safe place to start for those who want to make changes but are sometimes uncomfortable coming forward. To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/ 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). Bennie Kara is a deputy headteacher in the East Midlands, specialising in curriculum, teaching and learning. She is the co-founder of Diverse Educators and author of the book, A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools. Follow Bennie on Twitter @benniekara Tom Sherrington's books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook. Follow him on Twitter @teacherhead Emma 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

In this episode, Emma turns the tables by interviewing Tom and his co-author Oliver Caviglioli on their recent book, Teaching WalkThrus Volume 2, a follow-up to their popular Teaching WalkThrus: Visual Step-by-Step Guides to Essential Teaching Techniques. The new volume offers an additional 50 essential teaching techniques, each with five clear and concise illustrations and explanations. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Tom and Oliver discuss the origins of the books, the writing process, what they’ve learned since publishing the first Teaching WalkThrus book, and much more. Listen to Tom and Emma’s previous interviews and more on your preferred podcast app or on YouTube. To find full video episodes, subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MindtheGapwithTomEmma/ 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 hosts: 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

In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley, co-authors of Putting Staff First: A Blueprint for Revitalising Our Schools, published by John Catt Educational. The book outlines the creation of a school environment that results in a happy, healthy, motivated, well-trained, expert staff—all to give students the best teaching possible. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Uttley starts by describing his working relationship with Tomsett. He reminisces about Tomsett as an early mentor and partner in improving a school’s culture and solidifying their mutual goals. (2:45) Uttley describes his present position as CEO in schools set up as a charitable trust. Tomsett speaks of his dual position as head teacher and teacher, producing a blend of leadership responsibilities with everyday teaching plans. (5:10) He is involved in lesson changeovers, mask mandates, and a variety of hands-on duties. He is a proponent of Vivian Robinson’s philosophy of the importance of having leaders teach and making the process of teaching easier to manage. The interview continues with discussing leaders embracing the fundamental role of removing teachers’ barriers (8:55). Removal practices are brought up as key components to school improvement and the simplification of ingrained habits. It’s important to start with the assumption of professional trust that eventually leads to evidence-informed desires (29:05). As Tomsett sums up, it comes down to creating a school with high standards that is also a great place to work -— something not too cozy but also not based on fear. Mind the Gap is produced by < a href="https://mindrocketmediagroup.com">Mind Rocket Media Group and 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). Available to watch on edCircuit. Follow the authors on Twitter: @emma_turner75 @teacherhead @JonnyUttley @johntomsett

To kick off this “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap, Emma Turner discusses what’s been on her mind: Culture (0:45). She refers to a diverse sampling of recent reading on leadership and culture, from John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley’s Putting Staff First, to a Teacher Development Trust working paper on school culture, to Anthony Quinn’s Klopp. Tom and Emma discuss the factors that contribute to a strong culture, the actions that can be taken to build such a culture, as well as some of the “don’ts.” In the next segment (10:45), Tom discusses assessment, a topic that’s been on his mind recently. He refers to recent discourse around the purpose of exams and the proper ways to validate children’s learning. He shares some of the recently proposed assessment alternatives and why they’ve come up short, as well as the many factors we value in children’s well-rounded development, which we can appreciate better without attempting to measure them. Next, we get to Emma’s Reading List (20:45). She recommends Bennie Kara’s A Little Guide for Teachers: Diversity in Schools, and both she and Tom discuss the importance of the subject matter. Kara will be a guest on an upcoming episode of Mind the Gap. On Tom’s Reading List (26:55), he recommends a trio of books from John Catt’s “In Action” series: Generative Learning in Action, Cognitive Apprenticeship in Action, and Cognitive Load Theory in Action. He also recommends the free paper What Should Schools Teach?: Disciplines, subjects and the pursuit of truth, available from University College London. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Mind the Gap is produced by Mind Rocket Media Group and 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). 

In this episode, Tom and Emma speak with Sam Strickland, a U.K. school head known for his “no nonsense” approach and true passion for education leadership. Sam’s latest book is Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream, published by John Catt Educational, which centers around the key idea of “allowing teachers to teach,” and removing the factors that drive teachers from the profession. Sam brings a blend of energy, ideas, and humor to the interview. He discusses key tenets of leadership, how to support a staff, and how to avoid common pitfalls. Sam also dives into curriculum, behavior management, cutting out the “red tape” around teaching, how to avoid falling into the trap of complacency, and much more. Whether you’re already familiar with Sam’s work or this is your first introduction, you’re sure to gain many valuable insights from his experience. 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 (UK and Global).  Sam Strickland is the principal of a large all-through school and has helped to guide its GCSE results from the bottom 20% nationally to the top 20% and A Level outcomes to the top 5% nationally. He is author of Education Exposed: Leading a school in a time of uncertainty and  Education Exposed 2: In pursuit of the halcyon dream. Follow him on Twitter at @Strickomaster Tom Sherrington's 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 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_

This “Tom & Emma” episode of Mind the Gap begins with a recap of their recent interview with Doug Lemov (1:00) featured in Episode 16. The hosts discuss the pieces of the conversation that stood out to them, including the way Doug communicates his key ideas; their enthusiasm looking ahead to “Teach Like a Champion 3.0;” and how Doug’s approach to feedback relates to their observations in the profession. Next, Tom and Emma answer some of the questions they’re frequently asked in their work (7:25). Emma shares her thoughts on early career teachers, and in particular how they’ll be supported once they return to the physical classroom. In Tom’s segment, he discusses teacher development and whether schools should launch new initiatives over the remainder of the academic year. Emma and Tom then share their recent reading lists. Emma has been reading The Feedback Pendulum by Michael Chiles and she describes how the book exceeded her expectations and opened her eyes to what the word “feedback” actually means. Tom then describes the different types of feedback he often receives, and why it’s important to get feedback that’s relevant and which you can actually use. From Tom’s reading list, he references Leverage Leadership by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo and John Tomsett’s Cognitive Apprenticeship in Action. In the next segment, the hosts share advice for teachers (23:30). Emma explains why she recommends primary teachers should integrate more non-screen-based activities all these months into remote learning. Tom then shares why he advocates for “cold calling” in the classroom, and why teachers should understand that it promotes a dynamic of inclusivity. Finally, the hosts wrap up by sharing advice for school leaders (30:40). Emma’s advice centers on leadership well-being and Tom’s is focused on developing agency in all the people involved in the learning process, especially students. Visit edCircuit.com to watch this episode. Mind the Gap is presented by John Catt Educational, a leading independent publisher with research-based, practical titles for teachers and school leaders. Learn more about books from Tom, Emma, and many other world-class authors at us.johncattbookshop.com (US) or johncattbookshop.com (International).  Connect with the hosts: Follow Tom Sherrington on Twitter @teacherhead. Follow Emma Turner @emma_turner75.