A Practical Revolution in Classroom Practice
What if improving teaching wasn’t about grand theories or complex frameworks, but about breaking down excellent practice into simple, actionable steps? That’s precisely what Tom Sherrington has achieved with his groundbreaking Walkthrus series — a practical guide that has transformed professional development in schools across the globe.
What Are Walkthrus?
Walkthrus are concise, visual guides that distil effective teaching strategies into five clear steps. Each ‘walkthru’ presents a specific pedagogical technique on a single page, combining research-informed practice with practical classroom application. Think of them as recipes for great teaching — precise, replicable, and designed for immediate use.
The Five-Step Structure
Every Walkthru follows a consistent format:
| 1. The Big Idea |
| A concise explanation of the strategy and its purpose |
| 2–5. Five Clear Steps |
| Specific, actionable guidance for implementing the technique in the classroom |
Why Walkthrus Work
The genius of Walkthrus lies in their simplicity and accessibility:
- Research-Informed Practice: Each technique is grounded in educational research, from cognitive science to evidence-based pedagogy
- Practical Application: No jargon, no complexity — just clear steps that any teacher can follow immediately
- Visual Design: The single-page format with diagrams and icons makes strategies memorable and easy to reference
- Common Language: Walkthrus create a shared vocabulary for discussing teaching across a school community
The Walkthrus Impact Cycle
| Learn Study the Walkthru | Try Implement in lesson | Refine Reflect & adapt |
The Walkthrus Library
Sherrington has developed three comprehensive volumes covering different aspects of teaching:
- Walkthrus One — Core techniques including questioning, explanation, practice, and feedback
- Walkthrus Two — Advanced strategies covering curriculum design, differentiation, and independent learning
- Walkthrus Three — Leadership and professional development approaches for building teaching excellence across schools
“Great teaching isn’t mysterious — it’s a set of deliberate actions that can be learned, practised, and refined.”
Transforming Professional Development
Walkthrus have revolutionised how schools approach CPD. Rather than one-off training sessions that quickly fade, schools are building sustained improvement through Walkthru study groups, coaching partnerships, and gradual implementation cycles. Teachers appreciate the clarity and immediate applicability — there’s no translation gap between theory and practice.
The approach aligns beautifully with the principles of deliberate practice: focus on specific techniques, get regular feedback, and gradually build expertise. It’s professional learning that respects teachers’ intelligence whilst giving them concrete tools for improvement.
The Bottom Line
Tom Sherrington’s Walkthrus represent a paradigm shift in educational professional development. By making excellent teaching visible, accessible, and actionable, they’ve empowered thousands of teachers to refine their craft systematically. In an education landscape often dominated by complexity and jargon, Walkthrus offer something refreshingly practical: clear guidance that works.
Whether you’re a new teacher seeking foundational techniques or an experienced educator looking to sharpen specific skills, there’s a Walkthru for you. Start with one technique, master it, then add another. That’s how teaching excellence is built — one deliberate step at a time.
Explore more at teachertoolkit.co.uk and walkthrus.co.uk