Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, UK-based and internationally-recognized education authors and consultants, have a lot on their minds. From best practices in classroom teaching to sustaining PD that makes an impact, they’re aware of the techniques that work, those that don’t, and the gaps that exist in education systems, within and across nations. In this podcast, they present proven strategies and interview experts from around the globe to share timely insights on K-12 trends; research-based approaches in need of greater reach; and innovative strategies to close global gaps.
Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe
Claim This Podcastby Tom Sherrington & Emma Turner
4.6(31 reviews)
128 episodes
Updated Weekly
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇬🇧
66
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality61
Social0
YouTube85
Engagement92
Podcast Overview
Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner, UK-based and internationally-recognized education authors and consultants, have a lot on their minds. From best practices in classroom teaching to sustaining PD that makes an impact, they’re aware of the techniques that work, those that don’t, and the gaps that exist in education systems, within and across nations. In this podcast, they present proven strategies and interview experts from around the globe to share timely insights on K-12 trends; research-based approaches in need of greater reach; and innovative strategies to close global gaps.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/2/2020
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66
Podcast Authority
BetaGoodBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality61
Social0
YouTube85
Engagement92
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excellent
Episode Length
55 minutes
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Recent Episodes
July 10, 2026
Making Every Lesson Continue to Count (11 Years Later) with Shaun Allison and Andy Tharby, Mind the Gap, Ep.126 (S6,E24)
<p>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<strong> </strong>- 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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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 <a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead">@teacherhead</a><a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead"></a></p><p><br></p><p>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 <a href="https://twitter.com/Emma_Turner75">@emma_turner75</a></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at <a href="https://walkthrus.co.uk/">https://walkthrus.co.uk/</a> and <a href="https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/">https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/</a></p>
June 26, 2026
Comparative Judgement and the Future of Assessment with Daisy Christodoulou Mind the Gap, Ep.125 (S6,E23)
<p>On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by <strong>Daisy Christodoulou</strong>, Director of Education at <strong>No More Marking</strong>, 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.</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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 <a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead">@teacherhead</a><a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead"></a></p><p><br></p><p>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 <a href="https://twitter.com/Emma_Turner75">@emma_turner75</a></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at <a href="https://walkthrus.co.uk/">https://walkthrus.co.uk/</a> and <a href="https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/">https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/</a></p>
June 12, 2026
Reclaiming the Ambitious Years with Mary Myatt, Mind the Gap, Ep.124 (S6,E22)
<p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>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 <a href="https://www.marymyatt.com/">https://www.marymyatt.com/</a></p><p><br></p><p>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 <a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead">@teacherhead</a><a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/teacherhead"></a></p><p><br></p><p>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 <a href="https://twitter.com/Emma_Turner75">@emma_turner75</a></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at <a href="https://walkthrus.co.uk/">https://walkthrus.co.uk/</a> and <a href="https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/">https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/</a></p>
128 total episodes available
Recent guests on Mind the Gap: Making Education Work Across the Globe
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Patrick Cozier
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Bruce Robertson
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Bronwyn Ryrie Jones
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Jenny Anderson
Guest
Tom Sherrington
Guest
Shareen Wilkinson
Guest
Dr Neil Gilbride CPSychol
Guest
Saaed Atcha MBE
Guest
Zach Groshell PhD
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