About the Book
Foreword by Professor Rob CoeThrough a set of in-depth case studies, This Much I Know About Truly Great Secondary Teachers (and what we can learn from them) by John Tomsett brings to life how eleven outstanding secondary teachers cultivate great learning in their classrooms.Covering a range of school types, social contexts, pupil ages and subjects, each detailed vignette is based on observing the teachers teach, and discussions with them, their colleagues and pupils. The conversations that form the heart of this book provide a picture of not just what these teachers do, but why they do it: the choices and adaptations they make, and the pedagogic and philosophical principles that guide them.Each teacher is unique in the way they teach and in how they talk about teaching, but they also have some common behaviours and attitudes that make them truly great. John draws together these characteristics, summarising what we can all learn from their utter dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to preparing the next generation for a bright future.Essential reading for all secondary school teachers, school leaders, teacher trainers and education researchers.
About the Author :
John Tomsett has been a teacher since 1988 and a head teacher since 2003. He is head teacher at Huntington School, York. Tomsett writes a blog called 'This much I know ...' and is a regular contributor to the TES. He co-founded The Headteachers' Roundtable think tank and is a popular speaker on school leadership. He is determined to remain a classroom teacher, despite the demands of headship, and believes that developing truly great teaching is the main responsibility of all head teachers.
Review :
The power of story to help us to understand how the world works is well-documented. The power of story to draw us in to new and unfamiliar territories is an underestimated element of professional learning. What we find in these wonderful accounts of stunning practitioners are insights, strands of gold and subtle nuances that invite us to reflect on our own practice. Truly Great Secondary Teachers is such a joy to read, to reflect on and to marvel at. Wherever we are in our professional lives, we will take some inspiration from these incredible colleagues, who have managed to get to the heart of the matter, bring their students with them, get great results and continue to be fascinated by the craft of teaching. Truly transformational.Mary Myatt
Truly Great Secondary Teachers is full of insights into what makes a truly great teacher. With a deep respect for the teachers profiled in this book, John Tomsett does a fantastic job of highlighting the key features of effective teaching. The lesson visits, student feedback and testimonials offer a powerful sense of the impact that a great teacher can have on young lives. The author's reflections on his own experience of great teachers are particularly compelling. The key elements are identified: high expectations, meticulous planning, good behaviour management, relentlessness and consistency. But, above all else, a deep commitment to young people is the key attribute that every outstanding teacher shares. This book is an inspiring and informative read for anyone interested in becoming a great teacher.Brenda Landers
There are few things more valuable to those of us in the world of education than hearing first-hand about the nuances, complexities and contradictions of truly excellent teaching. In Truly Great Secondary Teachers, John Tomsett has done us all a hugely valuable service - he's found 10 expert practitioners who can tell us what makes a great teacher - not in the simplistic language of data and outcomes, but in the delicate and subtle language of real classroom experience.Sammy Wright
This is exactly what I needed to read before embarking on any further school improvement work. As always, John weaves together theory, research and practice to focus on what really matters: getting teaching and learning right in the classroom. We've worked with John for several years now. He has supported us in school improvement with pragmatic wisdom and wit! He never loses sight of what matters: the children and the quality of their learning through expert teaching. As with John's previous books, Truly Great Secondary Teachers combines a genial warmth with astute observations. The warmth radiates off the pages: both John's warmth towards the teachers he profiles and the teachers' warmth towards their charges which permeates each case study. Most importantly, his portraits of teachers at the top of their game provide incredibly important learning for all of us interested in schools.Samantha McMonagle
We can all name a teacher that stands out. Getting excellent results for the young people will always be one of the reasons why they are memorable, but Truly Great Secondary Teachers clearly shows that results are only part of the picture. John Tomsett's book shows why the Ofsted approach to quantifying teaching will never truly work. How do we measure how well a teacher connects with their students in the classroom? How do we put a number on a teacher's ability to see a group of learners struggling with a concept and know instantly what they need to do to get over that learning barrier? It is quite simple ... we can't! I loved reading about every teacher in this book and every one of them made me want to go and teach my next lesson a little better, with a bit more conviction and in a way that makes it memorable. Read Truly Great Secondary Teachers, be inspired and find your own way of doing the same.Vic Goddard
A brilliant book to inspire teachers, parents, pupils and the wider public at a time when we urgently need more people to enter - and stay in - the teaching profession. Being a 'truly great teacher' is about so much more than the mechanical delivery of results and ticking boxes. It requires a complex range of skills, joy and, above all, belief and interest in young people and how they learn. Truly Great Secondary Teachers reminds us that if we want to have a really equitable and excellent education system, attracting and developing the very best people, into what should be a life-enhancing career, must be a priority.Fiona Millar
John Tomsett's latest work is an extraordinary celebration of teaching, exploring what truly defines greatness in the classroom. Through captivating case studies of 11 diverse and deeply inspiring educators, Tomsett dismantles the notion of a one-size-fits-all metric for teaching excellence. Instead, he invites us to see teaching as an art form, powered by individuality, passion and humanity. The featured teachers are vibrant personalities whose enthusiasm, love for teaching and commitment to their students leap off the page. Tomsett's analysis is astute, identifying nine common traits that these educators share - from clarity and high expectations to the ability to build positive relationships. These characteristics form a practical yet profound guide for anyone in the profession. Truly Great Secondary Teachers is a must-read for teachers and leaders alike, reminding us that great teaching is as varied and rich as the students it serves. It's inspiring, thoughtful and deeply affirming.Patrick Cozier
I have always believed our great profession is packed full of expert teachers. Indeed, as John Tomsett says in the introduction to Truly Great Secondary Teachers, there are 'thousands of them' in our classrooms up and down the country. In this book, the author has brilliantly embodied that expertise through a series of detailed teacher profiles; each one contains a strong balance of theory and practical ideas to use in the classroom, whilst being packed full of personal connections and anecdotes. The tips and reflections from serving practitioners are profound, and the evidence base behind the claim that these colleagues are 'truly great' is extensive. The author also recognises all of the truly great teachers who could have been included if there were enough pages. I am already looking forward to This Much I Know About Truly Great Secondary Teachers 2!Nigel Whittle
