For this episode, special guest Sufian Sadiq joins hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner to discuss CPD, community engagement, and leadership in education. The conversation focuses on the interplay between meticulous planning and passionate engagement. It is clear throughout the conversation that Sufian has mastered the ability to engage and plan to make schools, communities, and learning thrive.  

In part one of this episode, the group discusses Sufian’s role at the Chiltern Teaching School, primarily the CPD they provide and the community stewardship they take on in the communities they serve. 

In the second part of the episode, the trio discusses the true definition of community engagement, particularly understanding the community you serve. As Sufian explores, DEI is a significant part of his work. Often overlooked factors in those conversations include discussions of class and background. 

The episode closes by discussing the difference between knowledge acquisition and aspirational curriculum. Sufian explores that when given the right tools and resources, you can create learning environments for students to thrive. However, if you engage students and understand their backgrounds, you can begin to inspire them to broader long-term success. 

As Emma points out, adding an interpersonal approach to learning adds a sustainable element to every lesson. There may be days when a lesson doesn’t particularly engage every student; however, when thinking and teaching aspirationally, you can connect with every student. 

About the participants: 

Sufian Sadiq is the Director of the Teaching School at Chiltern Learning Trust, responsible for overseeing two regional Hub areas in the South East of England. Chiltern Teaching Schools are one of the largest providers of CPD to the sector nationally. He is a passionate activist within the educational landscape around race, equity, and inclusion. Sufian is a Fellow and Board Member of the Chartered College of Teaching and a Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors Fellow. He plays an active role in numerous charitable organizations as a Trustee and holds key governance roles within educational organizations. Follow Sufian on Twitter @unleashing_me

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.