Edufuturists

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Edufuturists #301 This Much I Know About with John Tomsett

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Jul 21, 2025

Guest

John Tomsett

John Tomsett, experienced educator and author who led schools for decades and now writes and consults. He talks about checking for understanding, trimming curriculum to need-to-know content, the traits of truly great teachers, teaching beautiful subject knowledge before exam technique, and creating loving classroom cultures that boost engagement and wellbeing.

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insights

INSIGHT

Teaching Principles Transfer Globally

Teaching fundamentals translate across countries; what works in one classroom largely works in others.
John Tomsett says deep attention to pedagogic detail improved his understanding more than systems leadership did.

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ADVICE

Make Checking For Understanding Routine

Check for understanding deliberately in every lesson and use situational assessment to spot who is lost.
If pupils haven't learned it, plan flex time to reteach instead of ploughing on.

insights

INSIGHT

Cull Curriculum To Create Flex

Curriculum must separate 'need to know' from 'nice to know' to create genuine flex for reteaching.
Overpacked content forces teachers to rush and leaves many pupils incrementally behind and disengaged.

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John Tomsett's career and retirement reasons

02:26 • 2min

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Gaining a broader perspective by visiting schools

04:55 • 4min

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Checking for understanding as core practice

08:52 • 3min

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Too much curriculum content and need-to-know

12:10 • 4min

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Simplifying primary maths and basics in English

16:38 • 5min

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How the 'This Much I Know' books began

21:45 • 6min

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Ten common traits of truly great teachers

27:16 • 7min

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Grades as a byproduct of great teaching

34:10 • 1min

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Teaching beautiful curriculum before exam technique

35:15 • 6min

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Primary versus secondary: joy and exploration

41:09 • 4min

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Teaching's role in mental health and success

45:37 • 6min

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Creating cultures of love over fear

51:12 • 2min

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Quickfire: accountability, myths, and why school matters

Mind Over Matter: Improving Mental Health in Our Schools

John Tomsett

In this book John Tomsett examines the relationship between school practices and pupil mental health, arguing that teaching quality has significant protective effects. He challenges common interventions (like indiscriminate mindfulness programmes) and promotes evidence-informed approaches tailored to schools. Tomsett draws on interviews with experts and research to highlight what genuinely supports students, including creating successful learning experiences. He emphasises the importance of success, relationships and the school environment in fostering wellbeing. The book offers practical guidance for leaders and teachers seeking to improve mental health through educational practice.

#80943

Love Over Fear: Creating a Culture of Truly Great Teaching

John Tomsett

John Tomsett argues that school culture built on positive relationships, trust and care produces better teaching and student outcomes than fear-driven approaches. He explores leadership practices, teacher support and practical strategies to cultivate belonging and professional growth. Drawing on his headship experience, he highlights how compassionate leadership enables risk-taking and innovation in classrooms. The book includes examples and reflections showing how love-based cultures improve staff morale and pupil engagement. It offers leaders a roadmap to transform school climates toward dignity and mutual respect.

• Mentioned in 687 episodes

Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl

The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.

#92407

This Much I Know About Truly Great Primary Teachers

What We Can Learn From Them

John Tomsett

John Tomsett visits and documents the practice of truly great primary teachers, combining classroom observation with research to identify common behaviours and attitudes. He presents vivid, present-tense profiles that show how these teachers engage pupils, check for understanding and build positive relationships. The book draws on established educational research (including Rosenshine and others) to explain why these practices work. Tomsett synthesises findings into clear principles that school leaders and teachers can apply. It celebrates joyful, effective teaching while offering practical insights to improve classroom pedagogy.

#35557

This Much I Know About Truly Great Secondary Teachers

What We Can Learn From Them

John Tomsett

John Tomsett travelled to observe and interview truly great secondary teachers, producing detailed, present-tense profiles that capture classroom practice and teacher perspectives. He links these observations to established research (such as Rosenshine's principles) and identifies ten common behaviours and attitudes associated with pupil success. The book balances qualitative narrative with quantitative evidence where available, arguing that enthusiasm, clarity, checking for understanding, high expectations and strong relationships underpin exceptional teaching. Tomsett also reflects on curriculum design, assessment pressures and the importance of making learning irresistible. The work is both celebratory and practical, aimed at helping teachers and leaders improve pedagogy and school culture.

In this episode of the podcast, we welcome John Tomsett, an experienced educator and author. John shares his journey from head teacher to educational consultant, emphasising the importance of understanding teaching through a global lens.

The conversation delves into the significance of checking for understanding in the classroom, the challenges of a content-heavy curriculum, and the role of expectations in education. John discusses his latest books, which highlight the traits of truly great teachers and the importance of relationships in fostering student engagement and well-being. The episode concludes with a quickfire round of insightful questions, reflecting on the holistic view of education and the joy of teaching.

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Milestones and Future Plans

02:25 John Tomsett: A Journey Through Education

05:54 Gaining Perspective: From Headteacher to Education Consultant

11:45 The Importance of Checking for Understanding

17:33 Curriculum Content - Need to Know vs. Neat to Know

20:23 Exploring Great Teaching

34:27 The Joy of Learning vs. Grades

35:15 Rethinking Curriculum and Assessment

36:22 Engagement Over Rhetoric in Teaching

39:22 The Importance of Philosophy in Education

40:49 Success and Self-Concept in Education