Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Patrick Cozier, long-serving headteacher of Highgate Wood School in Haringey, London and author of the forthcoming book Calm Leadership. Patrick shares insights from nearly two decades in headship, and the conversation explores the tension between personal identity and professional responsibility, the evolving role of school leaders in their communities, and why representation matters. Patrick introduces the “CALM” framework - Confront, Adapt, Lead, Mature - designed to help leaders develop perspective, build resilience, and lead with confidence and humanity. He discusses how embracing vulnerability, seeking support, and accepting complexity have shaped his approach to leadership over time. “You can be confident about the things that you're good at,” Patrick says, “but you have to always know that you're still learning.”Patrick Cozier is a successful and experienced secondary school leader. He has been a Headteacher of a large comprehensive school for 19 years. He is also the chair of the Haringey Secondary Heads Forum. Patrick sits on the Racial Equity Steering Committee as part of Haringey Education Partnership and leads the HEP Racial Equity Conferences. In addition to being a Co-Vice Chair of trustees at Show Racism the Red Card, he also serves as a trustee of Horizons, which is the charitable arm of the Haringey Education Partnership. As a member of the black community he is passionate about seeking equality, justice and fair outcomes for people of colour. His upcoming book Calm Leadership will be released in October 2025. You can find more about Patrick on https://uk.linkedin.com/in/patrickcozier-calmleadershipTom 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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teacherhead⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emma 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.This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Bruce Robertson, Scottish school leader and author of The Teaching Delusion series. Bruce shares his path from chemistry teacher to system leader, and what led him to write a trilogy of books on improving teaching in schools. Together, they explore the gulf between intention and implementation in school improvement, the dangers of gimmick-led practice, and the STAR framework. Bruce argues that genuine school improvement comes from a culture of deliberate, collective, and well-informed effort. The conversation covers everything from professional learning and teacher confidence to behaviour, consistency, and the power of a shared language around teaching.Bruce Robertson is the director of Next Level Educational, which focuses on high-quality professional development for teachers and school leaders. His best-selling and acclaimed books include The Teaching Delusion trilogy, Power Up Your Pedagogy, and Power Up Your Questioning. Bruce led Berwickshire High School as Headteacher from 2020 to 2024. Find out more about Bruce and his work at https://www.nextleveleducational.com/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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teacherhead⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Emma 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.This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Bronwyn Ryrie Jones, teacher educator, instructional coach, and creator of The Playbook Project. Bronwyn shares her journey from music teacher to one of Australia’s leading voices on instructional practice, reflecting on what it really takes to support effective teaching in context. Together, they explore the power and pitfalls of codifying teaching techniques—what works, when, and why—and why it’s not about rigid scripts but thoughtful adaptation. Bronwyn explains how her Playbook Project helps schools articulate the “big ideas” behind their practice, turning them into clear, shared routines that make sense for their settings. The conversation ranges from mini whiteboards and modelling to the emotional realities of coaching and the hard truth about participation: it doesn’t just happen—it has to be engineered.Bron Ryrie Jones supports teachers and instructional leaders to develop their expertise. She has worked with over 20,000 teachers and leaders around Australia and abroad, and is a sought-after designer of professional improvement programs. Bron is a published author on teacher learning and has has designed and delivered large-scale bespoke professional development programs for varied organisations throughout Australia. Follow Bron on X ⁠@BronRyrieJones and find her website at https://bronwynryriejones.com/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.This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson is joined by journalist and author Jenny Anderson to discuss her acclaimed new book The Disengaged Teen—a powerful exploration of why so many young people are tuning out of school and what we can do about it. Drawing on extensive research, real-world stories, and her own experience as both a parent and reporter, Jenny introduces her framework of four learner modes—passenger, achiever, resistor, and explorer—and explains how these shifting states shape young people's engagement. Together, Jon and Jenny delve into the mental health crisis, the limitations of hyper-achievement, and why motivation and agency matter more than ever in the age of AI. Jenny argues that school systems must evolve to reflect the world students are entering, without sacrificing depth or rigour. “How you feel about learning,” she says, “is inseparable from how well you learn.” This conversation is both a wake-up call and a hopeful invitation—for educators, parents, and policymakers alike—to reimagine what it means to truly engage today’s children and young people.Jenny Anderson is an author and an award-winning journalist who spent over a decade at The New York Times before pioneering coverage on the science of learning at Quartz. She contributes to TIME, The New York Times and The Atlantic, among other publications. Most recently, she has written The Disengaged Teen, which you can find at https://www.thedisengagedteen.com/. You can find Jenny on LinkedIn here.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/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Emma Turner is joined by Shareen Wilkinson, Executive Director of Education at LEO Academy Trust, and author of books for both children and teachers. Shareen shares insights from her new book, Disciplinary Literacy in Primary Schools, offering a fresh, practical lens on reading, writing, and speaking across the curriculum. Together, they explore what it really means for primary pupils to “write like historians” or “speak like scientists,” and why disciplinary literacy isn’t just a secondary school concern. Shareen explains how rich talk, purposeful writing, and deep subject knowledge can—and should—start in Early Years, and reflects on how flexible working and thoughtful use of edtech can empower teachers and support inclusion. From phonics to AI, this episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and practical strategies for educators leading literacy across the curriculum.Shareen is Executive Director of Education and leads on curriculum, teaching and learning and assessment across the LEO academy schools, as well as overseeing the central education team. Shareen has been in education for over 20 years and has fulfilled a wide range of senior leadership roles, including being an LA Lead Primary Adviser, English adviser and is still an education consultant to several organisations. Her subject specialisms are English, assessment, teaching and learning, and leadership. Shareen is an established educational author, writer and editor and has written educational resources and books for Hodder Education, DK children’s books, Oxford University Press, Letts, Harper Collins and Teach Primary magazine. Follow her on X @ShareenAdviceEmma 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.

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson is joined by educator, researcher, and author Neil Gilbride to explore the powerful concept of self-efficacy—and why it matters now more than ever in schools. Drawing from his new book, Neil delves into the psychological foundations of self-efficacy, its relationship to agency, and the practical ways it can transform classroom practice. He shares insights from his own diverse career, from play schemes to academia, and explains how educators can help pupils—and themselves—navigate complexity, build resilience, and believe in their capacity to succeed. Together, Jon and Neil discuss Bandura’s legacy, the critical importance of managing failure, and why effective modelling is about more than just showing how—it’s about lending belief. “If we’re not proactively thinking hard about using our capacity to share knowledge and ways of being and working,” Neil says, “then we're not using one of the most powerful weapons in our arsenal.” This episode offers a compelling and deeply human lens on what it means to teach, lead, and learn in today’s education landscape.Dr Neil Gilbride CPSychol is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at University of Worcester and Associate Dean at Ambition Institute, one of the largest professional development providers in England. He has amassed 20 years of experience working across education as an academic, practitioner and knowledge mobiliser. Neil’s research interweaves adult developmental psychology and complexity theory to better understand educational leadership and practitioner development. His most recent book is Bandura's Self-Efficacy Theory in Action. Follow him on Bluesky @neilgilbride.bsky.socialJon 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/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Saeed Atcha MBE, social entrepreneur, charity leader, and former Social Mobility Commissioner. Saeed shares his remarkable journey from growing up in care to founding Youth Leads UK at just 15 years old, creating a platform to amplify young voices and drive social change. Together, they explore the power of purpose, the role of schools as community hubs, and how educators can foster social action and entrepreneurship in students. Saeed reflects on the impact of mentors, the importance of resilience, and why schools must provide stability, happiness, and opportunity for all children. He challenges educators to think beyond academic success and equip students with the life skills that AI can’t replace. “Everyone craves a purpose,” Saeed says. “If we give young people that, we change everything.” The conversation also delves into the shifting landscape of higher education, the rise of apprenticeships, and what schools can do to prepare students for an evolving world of work.Saeed Atcha MBE is the founding chief executive of Youth Leads UK, a charity he established aged 15 and has supported more than 7,000 disadvantaged young Greater Mancunians access volunteering opportunities and skills development programmes. He was made a recipient of an MBE in Her Majesty the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List, 2019, the youngest recipient that year. Saeed is a trustee of both youth employment charity Generation: You Employed, UK, and social mobility charity Migrant Leaders, a Non-Executive Director at social housing group Bolton at Home, an Associate Non-Executive Director at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, an Advisory Council Member to the Care Tech Foundation and Vice-Chair of Governors at his former secondary school, Ladybridge High School in Bolton. Saeed also serves as Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester. Follow him on X @saeedatchaEmma 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/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Zach Groshell, educator, consultant, and author of Just Tell Them: Explicit Teaching and the Science of Learning. Zach shares insights from his book, which challenges traditional assumptions about instruction and advocates for a structured, interactive approach to teaching. Together, they explore the misconceptions surrounding explicit instruction, the balance between guidance and independence, and the pitfalls of ineffective professional development. Zach argues that too often, schools fail to provide teachers with concrete, actionable strategies, leaving educators to "figure it out" on their own. He emphasizes the need for clarity in teaching, saying, “The most empathetic, kind thing a teacher can do is to be crystal clear with their students.” The conversation touches on the importance of formative assessment, engagement techniques, and how primary and secondary educators can apply explicit teaching principles in age-appropriate ways.Zach Groshell, PhD is a highly distinguished teacher, instructional coach, and education consultant. Zach is based in Seattle, Washington, USA, and works with schools nationwide and internationally to develop high quality instruction based on the science of how kids learn. Zach hosts the podcast, Progressively Incorrect, and his blog can be found at educationrickshaw.com. Follow him on X or Bluesky at @mrzachgEmma 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/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Chris Such, primary educator and author ofThe Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading and his newest book,Primary Reading Simplified. Chris returns to discuss his latest book, which moves beyond research principles to offer a concrete model for reading instruction. Together, they explore the challenges of teaching reading beyond phonics, the importance of fluency practice, and the pitfalls of small-group guided reading. Chris challenges the assumption that comprehension can be taught through isolated question types, emphasizing instead the role of fluency and language knowledge in understanding text. He says, "The idea that we can shortcut reading development by drilling comprehension questions is a fundamental misconception." Reflecting on reading pedagogy, Chris highlights the power of whole texts over extracts and the importance of meaningful discussions in developing young readers. The discussion concludes with a call to rethink primary reading instruction: prioritizing fluency, rich classroom talk, and a love of literature.Christopher Such is a primary school teacher, school leader, teacher educator and consultant who has worked in schools since 2006. As part of Ambition Institute's learning design team, he co-designed their National Professional Qualification in Leading Literacy (NPQLL). He has contributed to the initial teacher training programmes for Teach East, Torch SCITT and Ambition Institute, focusing on reading instruction and mathematics pedagogy. In his work as an education consultant, he has worked with schools, multi-academy trusts, English hubs and wider organisations to develop teachers' understanding of reading and implement approaches to evidence-informed classroom teaching that prioritise meaningful experiences with texts. His first book, The Art and Science of Teaching Primary Reading, is required reading on many initial teacher training programmes and higher education courses. He is the author of the education blogPrimary Colour, and he can be found on social media platforms@Suchmo83.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/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Emma and Jon reflect on a year of transformation in education and discuss the insights gained from their fascinating guests. This annual roundup dives into critical topics such as the growing recognition of Early Years education, flexible working in leadership, and the evolving challenges in recruitment and retention across the profession.Emma shares her delight at seeing Early Years gaining prominence, with voices like Julian Grenier, Dan Wuori, and Liz Pemberton championing the importance of play, lived experiences, and robust early education practices. Jon brings his perspective on the flexible working debate, emphasizing the need for bespoke approaches that prioritize sustainable career models for educators. Together, they discuss Emma Sheppard’s contributions on balancing parenthood and teaching, the nuanced challenges facing leaders in the education sector, and how these align with new government initiatives.The episode also revisits pivotal moments, like Leora Cruddas’s vision of schools as civic anchors and Aziza Ajak’s call for context-driven leadership development. As they look ahead, Emma and Jon encourage a collaborative and evidence-informed approach to shaping the next generation of educational leaders and addressing the complexities of modern schooling. 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/

On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts. Leora shares her journey from teaching in apartheid-era South Africa to becoming a leading voice in educational policy and academy trust leadership. Together, they explore the evolution of academy trusts, the importance of stable leadership, and the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention. Leora highlights the role of trusts as civic anchors, emphasizing their capacity to foster collaboration and serve as pillars of community well-being. She says, "The point at which we start making decisions on behalf of our children from the vested interests of adults is the point that our education system will start to fail." Reflecting on her role, Leora underscores the need for educational leaders to balance stability with innovation, as well as the need for trust leaders to tell adopt a narrative around trusts that focuses on the moral purpose of education. The discussion concludes with a compelling vision for the future of education: building systems that prioritize public trust, equity, and human flourishing. Leora Cruddas is the founding Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts – the national organisation and sector body for school trusts in England. She has advised successive governments and sits on several Department for Education advisory bodies. She was recently the vice chair of the Head Teacher Standards Review Group, a member of the external advisory group for the Schools White Paper, SEND National Implementation Board and the Regulatory and Commissioning Review. Prior to founding CST, she was Director of Policy and Public Relations for the Association of School and College Leaders. Leora has six years of experience as a director of education in two London local authorities. She is a visiting professor at UCL Institute of Education, and was made a CBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours. Follow her on X @LeoraCruddas. 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/

On this episode of Mind The Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner welcome Aziza Ajak, an influential voice in education leadership and curriculum development. Aziza shares her journey from classroom teacher to vice principal, offering insights into her impactful work on curriculum coherence and systemic equity. Together, they explore the challenges and rewards of bridging primary and secondary education, especially in all-through schools, emphasizing the need for unified leadership and consistent curricular goals. Aziza also discusses her initiatives to improve diversity in educational leadership, notably through her involvement with Mission 44 and as co-founder of 100 Black Headteachers. Reflecting on the complexities of representation and structural barriers, Aziza underscores the importance of mentorship and strategic professional development. This conversation provides an in-depth look at how purposeful collaboration and courageous decision-making can shape equitable and inclusive school environments. Aziza Ajak is currently Vice Principal at Future Academies. She was part of the founding leadership team of a new school and has helped to establish the school as one of the best in the borough. Aziza’s recent voluntary experience includes being a trustee on the Teach First Board. Aziza also currently serves as a trustee for Mission 44 and co-founded 100 Black Headteachers. You can find out more about her and her work on her LinkedIn or follow her on X @missaaja 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 Aziza has published three blog posts reflecting on the topics covered in this podcast. You can view them here: https://venturingintoschoolleadership.wordpress.com/2024/10/27/fragile-ambition-part-1/ https://venturingintoschoolleadership.wordpress.com/2024/10/30/fragile-ambition-part-2/ https://venturingintoschoolleadership.wordpress.com/2024/11/03/the-trust-to-school-relationship/ This podcast is produced by Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/

On this episode of Mind The Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Julian Grenier, a leading expert in early years education. Together, they discuss the foundations of early childhood learning, focusing on the crucial role of relationships and the development of coherent, supportive environments for young learners. Julian emphasizes the need for consistency in early years curricula, saying, “If we can get it right from the very beginning, we can set children on a much stronger trajectory.” The trio also explore the challenges faced by educators in the early years and the importance of community engagement in supporting children’s development. Finally, Julian shares insights from his work on the Early Years Foundation Stage and his thoughts on fostering professional development in early education. Julian Grenier joined the EEF as a Senior Content and Engagement Manager (Early Years) in 2024. Before joining the EEF, Julian was the headteacher of Sheringham Nursery School and Children’s Centre in Newham, East London. During this time, he also led East London Research School. Julian has also been Ofsted's Early Education lead, and Senior Early Years Adviser in Tower Hamlets. He is a trustee of the charity Thrive at Five. He has written several best-selling books about early education and care, including Putting the EYFS Curriculum Into Practice. Follow him on X @juliangenier 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/

On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by David Didau, known in the education blogosphere as The Learning Spy. David shares his journey in education, discussing his transition from teaching to becoming a prominent voice in education and research, and then back to teaching. The conversation explores key topics such as the role of cognitive science in teaching, the importance of evidence-based practices, and the challenges of implementing these practices in schools. David offers insights into different perspectives on curriculum, the significance of metacognition, and the impact of school culture on student outcomes. He also delves into the intricacies of curriculum design and the importance of preserving the institutional memory and wisdom of experienced teachers. David Didau is Senior Lead Practitioner for English at Ormiston Academies Trust. His blog, The Learning Spy, has had over a million visitors and won a number of awards. Didau writes about ordinary teachers' constraints and irritations, exploring his own successes and failures from his years of teaching, as well as the latest education research and cognitive psychology. He has also written four books exploring different aspects of teaching and learning through cognitive science. His most recent book is titled: Bringing the English Curriculum to Life: A Field Guide for Making Meaning in English. Follow David on Twitter @DavidDidau 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/

In this head to head episode of Mind the Gap, Tom and Emma discuss educational ideas that have recently captivated them, as well as some of the latest developments in the field. Emma has been thinking about the ways in which even beautifully designed curricula need well thought out task design to keep classes from becoming too formulaic across subjects. Tom, on the other hand, is looking at the newly announced panel on oracy, acknowledging both that people tend to worry about government mandates, but also that we need more pupils speaking with confidence. Later, Emma brings up the idea of expertise, inspired by the book Expert: Understanding the Path to Mastery by Roger Kneebone. Finally, the two discuss the limits on classroom observation and Tom gives his thoughts about the recent conferences he attended across the pond in the United States, including a ResearchEd. Listen to the full episode to hear all about it. 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/

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/

On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Carl Hendrick, author of two books about the science of teaching and learning and a third about bridging the gap between research and practice. Carl said he approached finding the research papers for his books in the same way that he would have compiled an album of seminal classic rock tracks, but with the criterion of having the greatest use for teachers and school leaders. The discussion turned to how education research is conducted and how "a lot of debates in education are people in different stages talking past one another". Carl also says that we now have a good understanding of the science of learning, but the three agree that especially in the early years and early primary education, even research-proven pedagogical practices like interleaving can't take the place of play-based learning, for example. Listen now to hear more on how teachers can really engage with educational research. Carl Hendrick works at the Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam where his focus is on bridging the gap between research and practice. Carl was a secondary English teacher for 18 years in a range of different contexts and completed his PhD in education at King’s College London. He is the co-author of How Learning Happens, How Teaching Happens, and What Does this Look Like in the Classroom. Follow Carl on Twitter ⁠@C_Hendrick⁠ 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/

On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Jon Hutchinson. The three of them talk about Jon's role at Reach which aims to weave five important threads into their community partners' educational systems: curricular coherence, understanding the principles of great teaching, maintaining relationships, understanding the community, and strong leadership. A large part of the conversation focused on the current curricular incoherence that plagues many schools. Jon says about teachers, "You're just one small part of that kid's journey, and it is incumbent on you and on the broader system to think about that journey in a much more coherent way." Finally, the trio discuss Reach's booklets, the Meno Academy videos Jon makes with his brother, and the effectiveness of instructional coaching. Jon Hutchinson is a former assistant headteacher of Reach Academy Feltham now director of Reach Foundation. He has taught across both KS1 and KS2, and also tutors on Ambition Institute’s Masters in Expert Teaching. Jon has sat on expert panels for the Department for Education, Ofsted and the Standards and Testing Agency. Follow Jon on Twitter @jon_hutchinson_ 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.

On this episode of Mind The Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Amanda Wilson. The three of them talk through Amanda's unorthodox journey to headship, and the traits that she has found most important throughout her educational career: confidence, authenticity, and empowerment. Those three themes shine through in her book, Letters to a Young Generation: Aspiring School Leaders, and Amanda says they are especially important for Black leaders, whose confidence can be mistaken for aggressiveness, and whose authenticity can be difficult to maintain without a strong support network. Amanda believes it is crucial for leaders to keep an eye out for promising candidates and "send the elevator back down" to help bring them up, which is the idea behind her company Crux Leadership Development. Amanda is the headteacher of St Alfege with St Peter’s CofE Primary School and has 25 years’ experience in the education sector. She is a qualified coach with an MA in Coaching and Mentoring from Oxford Brookes University and is an EMCC Senior Practitioner. She has a track record for supporting teachers in securing leadership roles, and in 2023 Amanda published the book Letters to a Young Generation: Aspiring School Leaders which aims to encourage the next generation of Black school leaders. Follow her on Twitter @AmandaWilson910 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.

In this episode, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner delve into the profound insights and powerful moments experienced during their conversations with incredible guests. They highlight the importance of making primary education accessible to all and teachers' duty to leave a lasting legacy through their teaching. Tom and Emma discuss the significance of routines and norms that support teachers in creating successful learning environments. They ponder why some of Tom's ideas receive criticism despite their potential to greatly improve schools. They marvel at the transformative approach of Mark McCourt, whose teaching style creates a connected set of ideas starting from simple concepts. In their interviews, the duo expresses deep appreciation for the expertise shared by Dylan Wiliam, Efrat Furst, and Sarah Cottingham, emphasizing how these sessions serve as professional development opportunities. They also explore the value of cognitive science research in primary practice and its relevance for secondary teachers. Throughout the episode, Tom and Emma spotlight inspiring individuals such as John Thompson, Johnny Utley, Caroline Derbyshire, Vic Goddard, and the enigmatic storyteller Sufian Sadiq. They acknowledge the influence these guests have had on their thinking and the impact they have made within the education community. As hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner reflect on the impact of their guests, it becomes evident that Mind The Gap is more than just a series of interviews. The platform introduces listeners to various voices, ideas, and strategies that can transform the educational landscape. From influential academic figures to inspiring stories of resilience, each episode adds to the collective knowledge and drive for positive change. As listeners, we are encouraged to take these lessons and inspirations into our professional journeys, creating a brighter future for education. 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: 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 ⁠⁠@teacherhead⁠⁠Emma 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.