Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe

Afleveringen

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  Why Executive Function Matters for Every Child with Sarah Oberle, Mind the Gap, Ep.127 (S6,E25) 24.07.2026 1u 2min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Dr. Sarah Oberle, primary teacher, cognitive science advocate and co-author of Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom, for a rich and highly practical conversation about what the science of learning means for younger children. Sarah explains why executive functions - especially working memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility - are not just specialist or SEND concerns, but fundamental cognitive processes that shape how all pupils attend, transition, regulate themselves, follow instructions and engage with learning. The discussion explores how teachers can design classrooms, routines and tasks that respect children’s developmental stage, reduce unnecessary interference, and increase automaticity so pupils can focus more of their limited cognitive bandwidth on the learning itself. Through examples such as “Betty and the Bats,” they unpack the hidden demands behind apparently simple classroom tasks, showing how small adjustments to resources, instructions and expectations can make a big difference.Sarah Oberle is an educator, author, speaker, and professional learning designer with 18 years of experience as a primary classroom teacher. Her work centres on helping educators understand how learning happens and how that understanding shapes daily instructional decisions. Sarah designs and facilitates evidence-informed professional learning for teachers and school leaders, both in person and virtually. She works with national and international organizations to ensure professional learning is research-informed, practical, and responsive to the realities of teaching. Her most recent book is Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom. Find out more at https://sarahoberle.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠⁠
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  Making Every Lesson Continue to Count (11 Years Later) with Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby, Mind the Gap, Ep.126 (S6,E24) 10.07.2026 59min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby from Durrington High School to revisit the enduring influence of their landmark book Making Every Lesson Count, 11 years on. Together they reflect on how the book’s six principles - challenge, explanation, modelling, practice, feedback, and questioning - emerged from real classroom and whole-school practice, and why they continue to offer such a powerful, practical language for improving teaching. Shaun and Andy discuss how their thinking has evolved over time, how the principles still shape practice at Durrington, and what it takes to build a culture where getting better never stops. They also consider what ideas and strategies they would include and exclude if the book were written now, given the strides that have been made in the last decade. Listen to find out whether we can expect a Making Every Lesson Count, Volume II.Shaun Allison is the co-Headteacher of Durrington High School. He joined Durrington High School in 2010 as Deputy Headteacher and up until 2022, was also the Director of the Research School there. Throughout his career, he has worked in large, coastal strip comprehensive schools. Shaun's particular areas of interest are evidence informed approaches to curriculum, teaching and assessment and using strong evaluation, professional development and implementation to drive school improvement.Andy Tharby is an English teacher and blogger with over a decade of classroom experience at Durrington High School. He is interested in how teachers can use the evidence from educational research to develop their professional expertise. Andy believes that the way students learn remains unchanged and that great teaching is timeless.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠⁠
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  Comparative Judgement and the Future of Assessment with Daisy Christodoulou Mind the Gap, Ep.125 (S6,E23) 26.06.2026 1u 2min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Daisy Christodoulou, Director of Education at No More Marking, for a fascinating conversation about assessment, comparative judgement, AI and what makes writing better. Daisy explains how comparative judgement offers a more reliable alternative to traditional rubric-based marking, why humans are often better at comparing two pieces of writing than assigning absolute grades, and how AI is now being used to support - not replace - teacher judgement. The discussion explores the promise and limitations of AI in assessing extended writing, the importance of keeping teachers “in the loop,” and how national writing comparisons can help schools understand standards beyond their own context. Along the way, Daisy unpacks what underpins strong writing and challenges the idea that pupils improve simply by writing more. She makes the case for breaking writing down, building component skills over time, and designing assessment systems that give teachers better insight without drowning them in marking.Daisy Christodoulou is the Director of Education at No More Marking, a provider of online Comparative Judgement software for schools. She is also the author of three books about education: Teachers vs Tech, Making Good Progress, and Seven Myths about Education. In November 2024, her first book about football was published: I Can’t Stop Thinking about VAR. Before joining No More Marking, Daisy was Head of Assessment at Ark Schools, and before that, she was a secondary English teacher in London.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠⁠
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  Reclaiming the Ambitious Years with Mary Myatt, Mind the Gap, Ep.124 (S6,E22) 12.06.2026 1u

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined once again by Mary Myatt, education writer, speaker and author of The Ambitious Years, for a compelling conversation about reclaiming Key Stage 3 as a vital phase of education in its own right. Mary makes the case that Years 7–9 should not be treated merely as preparation for GCSEs, but as a rich, intellectually ambitious period where every pupil deserves access to challenging curriculum content, powerful vocabulary, high-quality texts and resources that spark curiosity. The discussion explores the importance of stronger primary-secondary curriculum understanding and why leadership decisions around time, staffing, and curriculum priorities matter so much. Drawing on the 'Faster Read' research, Mary also explains why reading aloud, beautiful texts, rich narratives and “above pay grade” material can have a transformative impact, especially for pupils with lower starting points. Along the way, they revisit Mary’s signature idea of 'high challenge, low threat', showing how teachers can name difficulty, reduce fear, and create classrooms where pupils are invited into demanding work with confidence.Mary Myatt is an education adviser, writer and speaker. She curates Myatt & Co where she works with colleagues to develop work on curriculum and wider school improvement. She trained as an RE teacher and is a former local authority adviser and inspector. She has worked in small schools, for large trusts, national and international organisations. Mary has written extensively about leadership, school improvement and the curriculum: ‘High Challenge, Low Threat’, ‘Hopeful Schools’ and ‘The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to Coherence’ , ‘Back on Track’. Her most recent book, 'Key Stage 3: The Ambitious Years' is out soon. Her education philosophy is underpinned by several principles: that all children deserve rich demanding work, that high quality talk underpins learning, that human beings are curious and that they find deep work very satisfying. Find out more at https://www.marymyatt.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠⁠
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  Where the Magic Happens: Inside an Exceptional EYFS Classroom with Dixie-Louise Dexter, Mind the Gap, Ep.123 (S6,E21) 29.05.2026 57min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Dixie-Louise Dexter, Assistant Head, EYFS lead and English lead, for a rich and practical exploration of what high-quality early years provision really looks like. Dixie shares how her team creates the “magic” of reception through meticulous attention to detail: a carefully planned induction process, strong relationships with families, home and preschool visits, and a learning environment shaped around each cohort’s needs. The conversation explores why wellbeing, safety and involvement come first, how “going slow” at the start helps children go further later, and how continuous provision can be deliberately designed to build communication, language, independence and curriculum knowledge. They also discuss transition into Key Stage 1, mixed-age Year 1–2 classes, and why the question should not be whether children are “ready” for Year 1, but whether Year 1 is ready for them.With over 15 years teaching experience in EYFS, Dixie-Louise Dexter has been successfully leading the Early Years Foundation Stage at Ashby Hill Top for the past 7 years. During that time, she has developed a highly skilled team and an inspirational learning environment in which children thrive, consistently achieving above national average outcomes. Dixie cultivates a research-based approach in daily practice and has provided support to EYFS practitioners in a range of schools both locally and further afield, guiding them to further develop their practice in curriculum development and continuous provision as well as the role of the adult in the EYFS. As well as this, she worked as an EYFSP moderator for the Local Authority, completed further qualifications in Early Years Speech & Language, and is currently undertaking an NPQH.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠⁠
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  Teaching Through Examples: The Power of Direct Instruction with Tom Needham, Mind the Gap, Ep.122 (S6,E20) 15.05.2026 1u 2min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Tom Needham - teacher, school leader, and author of Engelmann’s Direct Instruction in Action - to explore what direct instruction really means. Marking the final book in the In Action series, the conversation digs into Siegfried Engelmann’s work, from the power of carefully sequenced examples and non-examples to the importance of “sameness,” big ideas, generative content, and tightly designed practice. Tom explains how direct instruction transformed his teaching of English, particularly for pupils who had struggled with writing, spelling and foundational skills, while also showing how its principles apply across subjects from maths and science to history and geography. Along the way, they discuss the philosophical and practical objections to scripted programmes, the role of teacher expertise in curriculum design, and why precise instruction can be a route to greater pupil success, confidence and independence.Tom Needham has been teaching for nearly twenty years. He has previously taught English in International schools in Malaysia and Nigeria; EFL in Bangkok and Harrogate, as well as Sociology, Media Studies and all the Humanities in Croydon. He is author of Explicit English Teaching, and most recently Engelmann's Direct Instruction in Action, which will be available on the 19th of June. Tom is currently an Assistant Headteacher at a school in Charlton.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠⁠
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  Lighting the Fire: Motivation and Meaning in Teaching with Christian Mba, Mind the Gap, Ep.121 (S6,E19) 01.05.2026 57min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Christian Mba, who is a vice principal, speaker, content creator, and now author of the upcoming book, Teach Like Your Heart Is On Fire. The trio engage in an uplifting conversation about purpose, passion and the moral imperative at the heart of teaching. Christian reflects on his journey into education, the teachers and mentors who shaped him, and why he wants to 'talk up' the profession at a time when its challenges can dominate the narrative. The discussion explores the importance of knowing your why, finding your own authentic voice as a teacher, and balancing evidence-informed practice with the character, conviction and humanity that make great teaching come alive. Along the way, Christian shares ideas from the book’s three-part structure - character, capacity, and culture - including the power of big, ambitious goals, the role of education as a leveller, and the responsibility teachers have to open up possibility for every young person in front of them.Christian Mba is a senior school leader working in secondary education in England. Born and raised in London, he taught in the capital for over a decade before moving into senior leadership, with experience spanning a range of complex and high-challenge school contexts. His leadership work has included responsibility for teaching and learning, behaviour, personal development, inclusion, character education, and professional development. Alongside his school-based role, Christian is a Programme Lead for a Middle Leadership development programme within a large Multi-Academy Trust and serves as a School Governor in a local secondary school. His new book, Teach Like Your Heart Is on Fire, is out on 29 May, 2026.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  Context Matters, Especially for Inspections, Mind the Gap, Ep.120 (S6,E18) 17.04.2026 37min

  In this episode Tom and Emma go head-to-head to discuss realities that schools face as they grapple with an ever-expanding variety of social and economic issues while simultaneously attempting to deliver quality education. Emma says, "I think we could probably agree as a profession that there are core things that are common to great classroom teaching, but in terms of school improvement, I think that needs a much more forensic, bespoke look at the genuine context of each school because there aren't shiny, transferable solutions because of the nature of the breadth of school type in our system." Tom envisions an inspection system without judgements that supports schools and attempts to understand their contexts. As he says, "Schools need to be known, not just visited." Overall, they thank teachers for their hard work across the system, and acknowledge that school improvement can be much easier for schools who already have resources and support than for those without.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  What Great Coaching Does and Doesn't Look Like, Mind the Gap, Ep.119 (S6,E17) 03.04.2026 1u 3min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Sarah Cottinghatt and Adam Kohlbeck to explore the craft and complexity of instructional coaching, drawing on their widely shared Coaching Cuts series on Substack. The conversation unpacks how coaching can move beyond surface-level feedback to focus on teacher decision-making and mental models, and why the most powerful coaching conversations centre on surfacing goals, comparing versions of events, and working collaboratively towards better outcomes for pupils. Through concrete examples, they illustrate how shifts in language and mindset can transform the quality of coaching dialogue. Along the way, they tackle bigger questions about scaling coaching across schools, the balance between whole-school professional development and one-to-one work, and the importance of a shared understanding of how learning happens as the foundation for any meaningful improvement.Sarah Cottinghatt is Research Lead at Steplab. She is a former English teacher, teacher educator, and Associate Dean at Ambition Institute. Sarah has an MA in Educational Neuroscience and writes books for teachers and coaches, including Ausubel's Meaningful Learning in Action, as well as co-authoring Coaching Cuts and Coaching for Adaptive Expertise with Adam Kohlbeck. Find her on Substack @https://substack.com/@cognitivecoachAdam Kohlbeck is the Director of Teacher Quality at Chiltern Learning Trust. He has been teaching and leading in schools for 17 years and has an undimmed love for teaching. Adam was a finalist in the 2025 National Teaching Awards and is the author of three education books, including co-authoring Coaching for Adaptive expertise. He also holds Chartered teacher status and is a qualified executive and instructional coach.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  Inside the EEF: Evidence, Impact, and Implementation with Becky Francis, Mind the Gap, Ep.118 (S6,E16) 20.03.2026 56min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Professor Becky Francis, CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation, for a rich and wide-ranging discussion about the role of evidence in improving education - and the complexities that come with it. Becky unpacks how the EEF has evolved from a research-focused organisation into a trusted, sector-facing resource used by the vast majority of schools. The conversation explores the power - and limits - of randomised controlled trials, the importance of meta-analysis and implementation, and why teaching can be considered a “best bets” profession shaped by context and professional judgement. Along the way, they tackle big questions around social justice, student grouping and attainment, the risks of initiative overload, and how teachers can engage meaningfully with evidence without oversimplifying it. Looking ahead, Becky highlights key frontiers for research: AI, SEND, and school improvement at scale - making this an insightful and thought-provoking episode for anyone interested in how evidence can genuinely inform practice without losing sight of the realities of the classroom.Professor Becky Francis CBE is currently CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation, and was previously Director of the UCL Institute of Education (IOE), which is ranked #1 in the world for education in the international QS rankings. Her prior roles include Professor of Education and Social Justice at King’s College London, Director of Education at the RSA and Standing Advisor to the Parliamentary Education Select Committee. Throughout her career, Becky has sought to maximise the impact of academic research by working closely with teachers and policy-makers. She has spearheaded high-profile research programmes assessing the impact of major reforms in the English school system on educational inequalities, and is sought out internationally as an advisor to Governments on education policy. Becky was the inaugural Charles Yidan Global Fellow at Harvard University. Her academic expertise and extensive publications centre on social identities and inequalities in educational contexts. She is best known for her body of research on social identities and educational attainment, including gender, race and social class.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  Inside Craig Barton’s 16-Book Teaching Project, Mind the Gap, Ep.117 (S6,E15) 06.03.2026 58min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Craig Barton - maths teacher, podcaster, and co-founder of Eedi - to discuss his ambitious new project: a series of 16 short books, each exploring a single, highly specific element of classroom practice. Drawing on three to four years spent visiting schools and observing hundreds of lessons, Craig explains the thinking behind the project and the principle that every idea included had to be seen working successfully in multiple classrooms. The conversation dives deep into practical teaching techniques, from mini whiteboards and checking for understanding to do-nows and the importance of gathering reliable data about what pupils actually know. Along the way, Craig shares the small but crucial routines that make these strategies effective in practice and reflects on why seemingly simple classroom tools often require careful thought, structure, and purpose to work well. Towards the end of the episode, Craig also delves into the research project his company Eedi did with Google and AI, and its implications for that technology in teaching and learning.Craig Barton has been teaching maths since 2004, and in 2009, he became the Secondary Mathematics adviser for the Times Educational Supplement (TES). He is the creator of the popular mrbartonmaths.com website and blog, which provides free resources to teachers and students all around the world. Craig also hosts the Mr Barton Maths Podcast. He is the co-creator of Diagnostic Questions, a formative assessment website hosting the world's largest collection of high-quality maths diagnostic multiple choice questions, which aims to help students and teachers from all around the world to identify, understand and resolve key misconceptions. More recently he has created the websites variationtheory.com, ssddproblems.com, and mathsvenns.com, with millions of teachers from across the globe sharing high-quality resources based on ideas from Craig's books. Those books include the recently released Tips for Teachers guides, which you can find at https://tipsforteachers.co.uk/books/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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  Scaffolding Effectively with Alex Fairlamb and Rachel Ball, Mind the Gap, Ep.116 (S6,E14) 20.02.2026 55min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Alex Fairlamb and Rachel Ball, co-authors of The Scaffolding Effect, to explore what scaffolding really is (and isn’t) and why it has become such a pivotal idea in the move from “differentiation” to adaptive teaching. They discuss the research roots of the term, the practical reality of “knowing–doing,” and the central challenge that scaffolds must be temporary - designed to be removed through gradual release and guided by sharp checks for understanding. The conversation digs into common pitfalls (from “impermeable skins” of apparent progress to students becoming dependent on writing frames), debates the role of formulaic writing structures, and shows how scaffolding looks different across subjects and phases, including strategies involving reading, writing, retrieval practice, explanations, practical subjects, even homework. Packed with concrete examples and implementation-minded advice, this is a highly usable episode for teachers and leaders who want to support pupils towards real independence.Alex Fairlamb is a Trust T&L Network Lead and Senior Leader in charge of Teaching and Learning and CPD, based in the North East. She is a Chartered Teacher of History, a Specialist Leader in Education and an Evidence Lead in Education. Alex is a proud member of the Historical Association Secondary Committee and the Schools North East Steering Board. Alex is a History teacher and former Lead Practitioner of History and Teaching and Learning, with a strong commitment to ensuring that curriculums are diverse. She is an author and textbook writer, and recently completed her PhD focusing on Equality and Equity within education. Check out her website at https://alexfairlamb.com/Rachel Ball is Professional Development Specialist at Steplab. She is a former Assistant Principal in charge of teaching and learning and CPD, and passionate history teacher with 22 years experience. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teachers and an international speaker at schools and conferences including ResearchEd National Conference. Rachel is co-editor of What is History Teaching, Now? (2023) and co-author of The Scaffolding Effect (2025). Find Rachel's blog at theeducationalimposters.wordpress.comTom 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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  The Power of Teams in Schools with Sam Crome, Mind the Gap, Ep.115 (S6,E13) 06.02.2026 1u 3min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Sam Crome, teacher, leader and author of The Power of Teams, to explore what it really takes to build teams that thrive in schools. Sam reflects on why so much leadership development is still overly individualistic, and shares the practical principles behind strong teams - belonging, alignment, purposeful operations, healthy dynamics, and deliberate development - alongside the habits that make meetings genuinely productive rather than performative. The conversation also draws on Sam’s recent move from secondary leadership into an interim primary headship, teasing out what changes (and what doesn’t) when a “team” becomes a small, agile staff group who can try, refine, and embed improvements at pace. Along the way they discuss cross-phase transition and why primary pupils’ appetite for responsibility and leadership is often underused in Key Stage 3, the “tyranny of the first response” in group discussions, and how simple structures (like paired talk) can surface quieter expertise and build trust for honest, high-challenge conversations.Sam Crome is currently Interim Headteacher at a primary school in Surrey. He also serves as Director of Education, Mission and People for Xavier Catholic Education Trust, providing both strategic vision and planning, alongside day-to-day school support, so that all children and staff can flourish. Sam is convinced that teams are the way to improve our workload, productivity, professional learning, performance, and the joy we can experience at work. His interest in teams led him to write the book The Power of Teams. Find Sam at https://samcrome.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  Instructional Design and Educational Research with Carl Hendrick, Mind the Gap, Ep.114 (S6,E12) 23.01.2026 1u

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner welcome back Dr Carl Hendrick - writer, researcher and relentless “research distiller” - for a wide-ranging conversation about what the educational research can (and can’t) tell us, and how ideas mutate as they travel through schools. Starting with Carl’s monthly research round-ups and emerging areas like pre-questions (“pre-trieval”), they dig into a lively debate about the replication of the original scaffolding study and what that means for teachers: why learning science is probabilistic, why single studies shouldn’t become dogma, and how “evidence-based” can be misapplied in crude tick-box ways. From there, Carl makes the case for thinking less about “teaching” as an all-purpose term and more about instructional design - the alignment of curriculum, instruction and assessment - and introduces Herbert Simon’s idea of instructional invariants: the conditions that must hold for learning to happen (working memory limits, attention, cumulative knowledge and prerequisites). Along the way they tackle the “lethal mutations” of retrieval practice, the expertise required to design coherent curricula (and why most teachers shouldn’t be expected to do it all), and the implications of AI for homework, assessment and the future of curriculum design.Carl Hendrick is an internationally recognised expert in the science of learning and instructional design. He is a professor at Academica University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam and leads research projects that bridge cognitive science, educational psychology, and classroom practice. Carl’s work focuses on helping teachers and school leaders apply robust, evidence-based strategies - such as retrieval practice, spacing, and explicit instruction - to improve student learning. He has co-authored several influential books, including How Learning Happens and Instructional Illusions, and regularly advises schools and organisations on implementing research-informed approaches.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  Strategic Subtraction, Teaching Sprints, and Pruning: How Schools Create Space to Improve with Simon Breakspear, Mind the Gap, Ep.113 (S6,E11) 09.01.2026 1u 7min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington is joined by Dr Simon Breakspear - educational researcher, author, and system leader based in Australia - for a wide-ranging conversation about how improvement actually happens at scale. Together they explore Simon’s distinctive role working across classrooms, schools, networks, and entire systems, and why sustainable change depends less on policy mandates and more on relationships, trust, and practical tools that respect teachers’ limited bandwidth. The discussion digs into two of Simon’s best-known ideas: pruning - a disciplined approach to strategic subtraction that tackles overload and “additivitis” - and Teaching Sprints, a short-cycle, evidence-informed model for collective professional learning that prioritises deliberate practice over sprawling initiatives. Moving fluidly between the macro view of systems and the micro detail of meetings, habits, and classroom routines, this episode offers a clear-eyed account of how leaders can reduce noise, focus effort, and create the conditions for meaningful, long-term improvement.Dr Simon Breakspear is a researcher, advisor and speaker on educational leadership, policy and change. Simon develops frameworks and tools that make evidence-based ideas actionable and easy to understand. Over the last decade his capability building work has given him the opportunity to work with over 100,000 educators across more than 10 countries. Simon is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at UNSW. He serves as an advisor to the NSW Department of Education and sits on an expert steering committee for the Australia Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). Simon received his BPsych (Hons) from UNSW, his MSc in Comparative and International Education from the University of Oxford and his PhD in Education from the University of Cambridge. Simon began his work in education as a high school teacher.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 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@teacherhead⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  The Hidden Lives of Learners, Revisited with Bennie Kara, Mind the Gap, Ep.112 (S6,E10) 19.12.2025 57min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Bennie Kara - former teacher, consultant, and author of Nuthall’s Hidden Lives of Learners in Action - to explore what learning really looks like beneath the surface of the classroom. Drawing on Graham Nuthall’s seminal research, Bennie unpacks the idea of the three worlds of the classroom (the public, social, and private worlds of learning) and explains why observation alone can never tell us what pupils have actually learned. The conversation ranges across deep listening, talk and oracy, prior knowledge and experience, misconceptions, and the limits of short lesson drop-ins, with practical reflections on how teachers can better surface pupils’ thinking without being overwhelmed by workload. Bennie also connects Nuthall’s insights to contemporary debates around curriculum design, inclusion, equity, and long-term memory, arguing that learning is shaped as much by peer interaction and prior experience as by what teachers plan and deliver. It’s a thoughtful, challenging episode that invites leaders and teachers alike to rethink what counts as evidence of learning - and where to look for it. Bennie Kara started her career as an English teacher in the inaugural cohort of Teach First in 2003. After 20 years' experience in education as a teacher and former deputy headteacher specialising in teaching, learning and the curriculum, she now works as a leadership coach in schools as a speaker and trainer on topics such as DEI, teaching and learning, and effective curriculum construction. She is the author of three books focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion in education. Graham Nuthall's work and research, as recorded in The Hidden Lives of Learners, sits in the intersection of her interests. She is particularly interested in the way he explores the social construct of the classroom, as well as the ways in which identity, experience and interest play into long term learning and memory. She strongly believes that effective pedagogy is rooted in the needs of students and is informed by research. You can order here new book here: https://www.hachettelearning.com/teaching-strategies/nuthall-s-hidden-lives-of-learners-in-actionTom 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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  Continuous Provision Done Right with Jude Arkwright, Mind the Gap, Ep.111 (S6,E9) 12.12.2025 56min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Jude Arkwright, headteacher of St Michael’s CE, Aldbourne, to explore how a strong culture of professional trust, research-informed practice, and professional development can transform teaching and learning. Jude shares how long-term staff stability and coaching triplets have created a school where teachers openly examine the smallest instructional details in real time, and where feedback is immediate, supportive and precise. The conversation then turns to St Michael’s much-admired approach to continuous provision through to the end of Year 2, unpacking what high-quality, well-planned play looks like in practice, how it builds knowledge and self-regulation, and why it is anything but low-rigour. Packed with concrete examples - from tutor tables and small-group teaching to deliberately designed environments and routines - this episode offers a compelling picture of how alignment between curriculum, pedagogy and culture can create calm, purposeful classrooms where children and adults thrive.Jude Arkwright is Headteacher of St Michael's CE Aldbourne. She leads the school's successful Year One and Year Two continuous provision. Here is the way it is described: Research and our school experience tells us that young children learn best through play and exploration, this is why we have built on the excellent practice found in Reception. We have found our approach gives the children time to think and explore, in a culture, which supports both the adults and the children. We have seen close relationships build, a strong sense of well-being as well as greater levels of enthusiasm for learning by adults and children alike. The curriculum is exciting, creative and dynamic enabling skills and knowledge to be applied so that children can purposefully build on what has already been learnt as well as identifying what the children need to learn next to ensure they are all successful learners. Find out more about St Michael's at https://www.stmichaelsaldbourne.co.uk/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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/⁠
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  Leading With Courage: Ann Palmer on Diversity, Inclusion, and AI, Mind the Gap, Ep.110 (S6,E8) 28.11.2025 57min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Ann Palmer - educator, leadership coach, and founder of Figtree International - for a rich conversation spanning diversity, leadership, and the future of AI in education. Drawing on over 35 years of experience as a headteacher, Ofsted inspector, and international trainer, Ann shares how her work now centres on helping leaders grow into their roles, embedding sustainable approaches to diversity and inclusion through initiatives like the RACE Charter Mark, and exploring how technology can empower rather than replace teachers. Together they discuss why diversity work must move beyond tokenism, what great coaching looks like for school leaders, and how AI can enhance strategic thinking without eroding it. It’s a conversation about courage, consciousness, and change - rooted in Ann’s belief that education leadership should always be personal, purposeful, and impactful.Ann Palmer FCCT has over 35 years of experience working in education, and has partnered with schools across the UK and internationally. She is the founder of the RACE Charter Mark which is an award recognising effective race equality strategies. She’s a qualified Executive Coach and Team Coach, and is often described as “a leader who leads with flair and vision” and is described as “inspirational”. Ann is a MAT Trustee, School Governor, Charity Trustee and Business Advisor, and she is the founder and CEO of Fig Tree International. She is also a published author, a podcaster and was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2010 and given royal recognition in 2022.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
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  What Makes a Great Curriculum with Catherine Priggs & Hugh Richards, Mind the Gap, Ep.109 (S6,E7) 14.11.2025 1u 3min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Catherine Priggs and Hugh Richards, co-authors of Secondary History in Action, to dig into what great history curriculum and leadership look like in practice. They discuss starting with a clear departmental vision, making brave choices about what to include (and exclude), and balancing school context with disciplinary integrity. Along the way they unpack ideas like core and hinterland knowledge, Richard Kennett’s museum curation analogy, and why non-specialist teaching makes a rich hinterland even more vital. Catherine shares insights from international curriculum work, while Hugh reflects on training hundreds of subject leaders and the realities of mandated trust curricula. The conversation also tackles assessment, examining extended writing in history as well as the kinds of tasks to avoid - before showcasing how scholarship-anchored enquiries can make the discipline sing. The book’s design contains QR-linked routes into Historical Association resources, offering a practical portal for teachers who want exemplification, not just principles. It’s an energising, example-rich tour of how to build ambitious, coherent history curricula that pupils remember and love.Catherine Priggs is an education consultant who specialises in history education and whole-school leadership. She has worked as a senior leader in two schools and as director of a teaching school. Catherine has mentored for various ITT providers, led the history programme for a SCITT, and led and supported departments as a subject leader. She has contributed to Teaching History, and authors and edits history textbooks. She presents at conferences, delivers CPD for a range of providers, and works with major UK-based and international exam boards. Catherine is a member of the Historical Association's Secondary Committee.Hugh Richards is head of history at an 11-18 comprehensive secondary school in York. He has a decade of experience in this role, working with a team of specialist teachers on curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. He is an honorary fellow of the Historical Association and has led many workshops, webinars and CPD programmes. He has guest lectured as part of the University of York PGCE programme. He has authored chapters and sections of various books about education and history teaching, as well as textbook chapters. Hugh has worked as a consultant with schools, academy trusts and local authorities across England. Hugh and the other authors are part of the team that established and leads the Historical Association's Subject Leader Development Programme.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
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  Social Mobility Rooted in Pedagogy with Alun Francis, Mind the Gap, Ep.108 (S6,E6) 07.11.2025 58min

  On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Alun Francis OBE - Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College and Chair of the UK Social Mobility Commission - for a wide-ranging conversation about further education (FE), the importance of pedagogy in post-16 education, and what genuine upward mobility looks like in real communities. Alun traces the origins of his FE reform work (including the early “Teaching for Distinction” collaboration with Tom) and explains why knowledge, practice, and assessment must be tightly aligned across vocational programmes - from hair and beauty to motor vehicle and nautical training. He argues that inclusion is achieved first and foremost through everyday instructional design (“who remembers what, and who gets to think?”), and welcomes qualification reforms that prioritise retention and end-point assessment. The trio also unpack Alun’s place-based view of social mobility - valuing skilled work, health, family and belonging, not simply income - and his contextual stance on pastoral care: compassion matters, but the core job is great teaching that changes life chances.Alun Francis OBE is the Chair of the Social Mobility Commission and Principal and Chief Executive of Blackpool and The Fylde College. Blackpool and the Fylde College is an award winning organisation and is one of the largest and highest performing further education colleges in the country. It is pioneering a new approach to Further Education and Higher Education delivery with Blackpool Council, called “Multiversity Blackpool” which sits at the heart of local regeneration plans. Alun has thirteen years of experience in further education, having previously led Oldham College. Prior to this he had a varied career which has included a range of public services, local government, area-based regeneration, youth work and education, including primary, secondary and higher education. He has a strong interest in the economics of what is now referred to as “levelling up” and sees FE colleges as making a strong contribution to addressing this challenge. He received an Order of the Order of the British Empire for service to education in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.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_turner75⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://walkthrus.co.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/