Reclaiming the Ambitious Years with Mary Myatt, Mind the Gap, Ep.124 (S6,E22)

<p>On this episode of <em>Mind the Gap</em>, Tom Sherrington and Emma Turner are joined once again by Mary Myatt, education writer, speaker and author of <em>The Ambitious Years</em>, for a compelling conversation about reclaiming Key Stage 3 as a vital phase of education in its own right. Mary makes the case that Years 7–9 should not be treated merely as preparation for GCSEs, but as a rich, intellectually ambitious period where every pupil deserves access to challenging curriculum content, powerful vocabulary, high-quality texts and resources that spark curiosity. The discussion explores the importance of stronger primary-secondary curriculum understanding and why leadership decisions around time, staffing, and curriculum priorities matter so much. Drawing on the &#39;Faster Read&#39; research, Mary also explains why reading aloud, beautiful texts, rich narratives and “above pay grade” material can have a transformative impact, especially for pupils with lower starting points. Along the way, they revisit Mary’s signature idea of &#39;high challenge, low threat&#39;, showing how teachers can name difficulty, reduce fear, and create classrooms where pupils are invited into demanding work with confidence.</p><p><br></p><p>Mary Myatt is an education adviser, writer and speaker. She curates Myatt &amp; Co where she works with colleagues to develop work on curriculum and wider school improvement. She trained as an RE teacher and is a former local authority adviser and inspector. She has worked in small schools, for large trusts, national and international organisations. Mary has written extensively about leadership, school improvement and the curriculum: ‘High Challenge, Low Threat’, ‘Hopeful Schools’ and ‘The Curriculum: Gallimaufry to Coherence’ , ‘Back on Track’. Her most recent book, &#39;Key Stage 3: The Ambitious Years&#39; is out soon. Her education philosophy is underpinned by several principles: that all children deserve rich demanding work, that high quality talk underpins learning, that human beings are curious and that they find deep work very satisfying. Find out more at <a href="https://www.marymyatt.com/">https://www.marymyatt.com/</a></p><p><br></p><p>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 &amp; assessment planning. He regularly contributes to conferences and CPD sessions locally and nationally and is busy working in schools and colleg