Initium: Cognitive science and research-informed primary practice

The beginnings of all things are small, but the possibilities for our primary pupils are infinite.

Many books explore the wonders of science and education research but few are rooted in the reality of the primary classroom, what it is really like to run a primary classroom, and to spend each day in the fascinating company of our youngest learners. Initium looks with care and specific attention at the needs of our youngest learners, the development of age and stage appropriate practice and pedagogy, alongside the joys and realities of working within the primary phase.

Primary is a unique stage of a child's development and requires a specific and distinctive approach to how we structure teaching and learning. What works at age 16 or 14 won't necessarily work with a classroom of 6-year-olds. Informed by science and rooted in over 25 years of primary expertise, Initium is research-informed practice for the primary specialist.

Emma Turner has served in primary education for 25 years. She has been a class teacher, assistant headteacher, deputy headteacher and one half of one of the UK's first and youngest all female co-headships. She has been a consultant for the national strategies, trust research and CPD lead across 15 Leicestershire primary schools, and currently works part time as deputy director of education for a West Midlands trust across 18 primary schools.

She has previously written four books on education: Simplicitus: The Interconnected Primary Curriculum and Effective Subject Leadership, Be More Toddler, Let's Talk About Flex, and The Extended Mind In Action. She co-hosts the podcast Mind the Gap with Tom Sherrington and regularly speaks at national and international events about leadership and curriculum design.

Emma has trained thousands of colleagues in effective subject leadership and curriculum design and provides school improvement support both locally, nationally and internationally. She regularly guest lectures within ITE and ECF and has a special interest in the development of early career teachers.
Emma is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching and Advisory board member for the Global Equality Collective. You can find her on Twitter as @Emma_Turner75.