Tom Sherrington is an experienced former Headteacher and educator with 30 years of classroom experience. Through his consultancy, Teacherhead Consulting, he collaborates with teachers and school leaders globally to implement contemporary educational ideas and deliver well-rounded learning for young people. An active speaker at national and local conferences, Tom is also the author of popular educational books—including Teach Now! Science and The Learning Rainforest—and the co-founder of WalkThrus.

Suitable for all teaching staff.

Focus:

Grounded in proven Teaching WalkThrus, this practical session explores how to harness classroom oracy to re-engage vulnerable learners—particularly those returning after periods of absence and how to support these learners in overcoming barriers and set every returning student up for lasting success.

Content

• Self-Regulation & Metacognition: Empowering vulnerable learners to manage their own thinking and learning behaviors.
• Building Learner Confidence: Strategies to rebuild self-belief and classroom engagement, particularly for students returning after absence.
• Developing Positive Self-Talk: Helping students evaluate their own progress, celebrate relative successes, and identify learning barriers.
• Checking for (Mis)understanding: Utilising process checks, probing questions, and metacognitive dialogue to diagnose and correct learning gaps
• The Discerning Practitioner: Selecting, adapting, and applying the relevant tools effectively for maximum impact

Session Outcomes:

• Boost Confidence in Supporting Vulnerable Learners: Gain practical strategies to build trust, empower vulnerable students, and help them recognise their own learning successes—especially during crucial return-to-school transitions after absences
• Rapid Diagnosis & Targeted Support:  Equipping educators to quickly identify learning gaps, apply immediate, actionable support techniques to get struggling students back on track fast, empower students to contribute in class, and improve overall attendance.
  Oracy in Action Tom Sherrington 11 November 2026
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