Mind the Gap, Episode 9 – Tom & Emma Discuss School Criticism, CPD Systems & More

https://youtu.be/mApQ9mmg_eE

In episode 9 of Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe, hosts Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner explore a new, deeper discussion format where they dive into timely topics without a guest. 

First (1:26), they share takeaways from the previous episode of Mind the Gap, which featured an interview with Mark McCourt, renowned expert on teaching for mastery. They describe not only what viewers and listeners should look out for in the interview, but also what resonates most about Mark’s work overall. 

Next (10:25), Tom and Emma highlight some other books they’ve been reading, including Back on Track by Mary Myatt, It Takes 5 Years to Become a Teacher, and Tom Bennett’s Running the Room. 

Following this, the discussion moves into the three main topics:

1. The problems with school criticism (19:26) – The hosts discuss the criticisms of schools and school systems, including from those who don’t work in education. What criticisms are fair or unfair, and what toll do they take?

2. Do we have our CPD systems right? (29:29) – The discussion centers on top-heavy systems of continuous professional development (CPD), whether or not they’re working, and how to streamline them. 

3. The Early Career Framework rollout (42:48) – The final topic is the UK’s rollout of the framework for teachers in the early stages of their career.

To find all video episodes, featuring additional segments from Tom and Emma, subscribe to Mind the Gap with Tom & Emma on YouTube.

To listen to the audio version, subscribe here on your preferred podcast app: Mind the Gap Podcast

About the hosts:

Tom Sherrington has worked in schools as a teacher and leader for 30 years and is now a consultant specializing in teacher development and curriculum & assessment planning. Through his consultancy – teacherhead consulting – he is interested in working with educators to explore and implement contemporary educational ideas that deliver an excellent all-round education for young people. His books include Teaching WalkThrus, Rosenshine’s Principles in Action and The Learning Rainforest Fieldbook.  Tom is a regular contributor to ResearchEd events and other conferences for teachers and policymakers. 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 spent 20 years as a primary teacher before joining Discovery Schools Academy Trust, where she is currently the Research and CPD lead, devising and writing training for staff at all career stages, but specializing in continuous professional development (CPD) for early career teachers. She is the founder of ‘NewEd – Joyful CPD for early career teachers’, a not-for-profit approach to CPD to encourage positivity amongst the profession and help to retain teachers in post. Turner is author of Be More Toddler: A Leadership Education From Our Little Learners. She is an advocate of balance in leadership and family life and regularly speaks at events across the UK on how part-time leadership and flexible working can be a hugely successful model in organizations. Follow Emma on Twitter @emma_turner75