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On this episode of Mind the Gap, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined by Dr. Sarah Oberle, primary teacher, cognitive science advocate and co-author of Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom, for a rich and highly practical conversation about what the science of learning means for younger children. Sarah explains why executive functions - especially working memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility - are not just specialist or SEND concerns, but fundamental cognitive processes that shape how all pupils attend, transition, regulate themselves, follow instructions and engage with learning. The discussion explores how teachers can design classrooms, routines and tasks that respect children’s developmental stage, reduce unnecessary interference, and increase automaticity so pupils can focus more of their limited cognitive bandwidth on the learning itself. Through examples such as “Betty and the Bats,” they unpack the hidden demands behind apparently simple classroom tasks, showing how small adjustments to resources, instructions and expectations can make a big difference.
Sarah Oberle is an educator, author, speaker, and professional learning designer with 18 years of experience as a primary classroom teacher. Her work centres on helping educators understand how learning happens and how that understanding shapes daily instructional decisions. Sarah designs and facilitates evidence-informed professional learning for teachers and school leaders, both in person and virtually. She works with national and international organizations to ensure professional learning is research-informed, practical, and responsive to the realities of teaching. Her most recent book is Executive Functions for Every K–3 Classroom. Find out more at https://sarahoberle.com/
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 @teacherhead
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 @emma_turner75
This podcast is sponsored by Teaching WalkThrus and produced in association with Haringey Education Partnership. Find out more at https://walkthrus.co.uk/ and https://haringeyeducationpartnership.co.uk/
