The Primary Maths Podcast24 Juni 2025

What Makes Great Teaching? – Lessons from John Tomsett

In this episode of The Primary Maths Podcast, Jon and Becky are joined by John Tomsett, renowned education consultant, former headteacher of Huntington School, and author of influential books such as "This Much I Know About Great Teaching".

John brings decades of educational leadership and classroom experience to an insightful conversation about the true essence of great teaching and learning. He shares his "10 principles of great teaching," drawing from extensive observations and research across primary and secondary classrooms.

Key Topics Covered:

The core principles that define truly exceptional teaching.
How to balance rigorous frameworks with teacher autonomy and creativity.
Building strong, meaningful relationships with pupils.
Insights into misconceptions in maths education and how teachers can effectively address them.
Real-life stories illustrating the profound impact great teachers can have.

Key Questions Explored:

What makes lessons genuinely engaging for pupils?
How can teachers balance consistency with creativity and enthusiasm?
What critical skills and practices define outstanding teaching?

Resources Mentioned:

The Hidden Lives of Learners by Graham Nuthall
WalkThrus by Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli
John Tomsett's books, including forthcoming titles on primary and secondary teaching

Connect with John Tomsett:

John Tomsett’s Blog
Twitter: @johntomsett

Listen & Subscribe:

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