The Learning Rainforest

“Just as the rainforest is beautiful, Tom’s book is uniquely visual. Just as the rainforest has its dangers, Tom does not shirk from the difficult educational debates of our day. As much as we need to preserve our amazing rainforests, we should treasure this book and share Tom’s insights about teaching and learning far and wide.”

“A beautiful articulation and drawing together of the concepts, ideas, philosophies and issues that head teachers like myself grapple with in order to achieve the best possible education for their students. It’s like a Bill Bryson “short’ of everything teaching related! Part 2 is a “godsend’; the explanations and ideas within each strand (C, K, P) and the emphasis on mode A teaching is brilliant.”

“I recently re-read Ron Heifetz’ argument that leaders must “get on the balcony above the dance floor … to see what is really happening’ – one of my favourite leadership metaphors. In this great book, Tom takes us all both up to the canopy and down onto the rainforest floor.”

“In the time I have known Tom Sherrington – in person and online – I have learnt so much about pedagogy and classroom practice from his blogs and tweets. Now it’s a treat to have a compendium of his experience, wisdom and insights, all rooted in such an optimistic view about why great teaching matters.

This is likely to be an indispensable book for classroom practitioners at all stages of their career.”

“Packed full of practical wisdom about classroom teaching. The content includes presentation of research-informed pedagogy gained from the world of cognitive science successfully combined with down-to-earth examples of how research theory can achieve powerful impact within the busy classroom. Written in an entertaining style using the extended metaphor of a “managed rainforest’ this book provides a useful and compelling read for anyone interested in education.”

“Teachers have been thrashed by changing tides of policy and ideology for decades. They have been bamboozled and confused by consultants and theories trying to shape them into this fad and that. They are tired and what they need is a light. A sensible, balanced, well informed light. Tom’s book is that light for many teachers – especially for those in the secondary sector. It offers a way through the arguments and debates that sometimes polarise education, and in a clear, intelligent and open way, offers practical and thoughtful solutions.”

“This book is a big leap forward in transcending the sterile debates between traditionalists and progressives. Hacking through the undergrowth of academic research and passing fads, Tom takes his readers on a journey (through the rainforest) to the sunny uplands of classrooms in which powerful learning and rich experiences can flourish. Whether you agree with every word here is not the point – this is a book that will get you thinking, reflecting, changing the way you teach, and questioning the very essence of effective teaching.”

“What is truly astonishing about this book is the amount of distilled wisdom packed into it. It combines a huge amount of significant research with decades of Tom’s own invaluable experience of working at the chalk-face to form a coherent, practical and thought provoking book that will be an indispensable guide for years to come. Simply put, this is the book I wish I had read when I started teaching.”

“The Learning Rainforest is a piece of work underpinned by humility – nothing ever goes quite to plan. Well, that’s a relief, because I thought it was just me. Tom uses the personal to explain the bigger picture and makes the case for humour, compassion and heart being at the centre of our work. Tom has managed to balance the big picture with detail, the theoretical with the practical, and has produced a work which everyone, at whatever stage in their career, will find invaluable.”