Book Review: This Much I Know About Truly Great Primary Teachers by John Tomsett

Reviewed by Jonathan Coy

Date: Fri 8th Aug 2025

John Tomsett’s This Much I Know About Truly Great Primary Teachers is not merely a celebration of exceptional teaching practice—it is a deeply insightful, richly humanising tribute to the individuals who make learning magical for children across the UK.

This latest addition to the “This Much I Know” series (following the excellent companion title on secondary teachers) focuses on a series of vivid, sharply observed portraits of real-life primary teachers. Each chapter combines narrative observation with professional dialogue, allowing the voices of both the teacher and the author to sit side-by-side in rich conversation. These are not idealised superheroes, but deeply grounded, intentional practitioners who reflect, adapt, and improve with precision, energy, and compassion.

John visits each school in person, and the result is a uniquely authentic, research-informed ethnography of outstanding teaching. Readers are treated to observational vignettes drawn directly from the classroom, layered with pupil voice, contextual insights, and interspersed interviews that bring each teacher’s philosophy to life.

The Structure

The book is elegantly structured: each chapter profiles one teacher in depth. We meet Maddie Jacques, Josh Pike, Nicola Curran, Faariah Jamil, Dean Salisbury, Helen Digger, and more. There are Early Years experts, SEND specialists, and subject enthusiasts—all deeply reflective about their craft.

In each section, Tomsett engages the teacher in a reflective interview, interspersing their words with commentary from his own observations. This dual voice—observer and practitioner—creates an atmosphere of trust and insight, mirroring the same respect that the featured teachers show their pupils.

Highlights from the Classrooms

Across the chapters, we witness:

• Maddie Jacques’ energetic, visible, and intentional practice, including her use of mini-whiteboards to tailor support and her brilliant phrase, "reciprocal vulnerability," where her own openness fosters student confidence.
• Josh Pike’s data-rich planning and sporting discipline, born from his background in football, enabling precision teaching and high expectations.
• Nicola Curran’s psychologically safe learning environment, where laughter and love permeate the classroom and children talk with clarity about her effective teaching of comprehension.
• Faariah Jamil’s adaptive, situational teaching, which includes thought-provoking discussions about environmental and inherited traits—and a clear commitment to purposeful practical learning.
• Helen Digger’s remarkable early years classroom, where routines, language development, and pupil relationships are nurtured with expert care and joy. Her impact is evident not just in learning outcomes but in the kindness and confidence of her pupils.

Themes That Emerge

From all the profiles, several key themes emerge:

• Deliberate practice: These teachers don't rely on instinct—they plan meticulously, reflect often, and use research-informed strategies.
• Deep relationships: Teachers know every child, their needs, and their strengths. This relational depth is what enables responsive, in-the-moment adaptation.
• Culture of belief: Teachers hold high expectations for all children and work hard to remove barriers to success, whether academic, emotional, or social.
• Joyful rigour: Learning is challenging, but it is also joyful, humorous, and human. There is a warmth that radiates from every classroom described.

Voice of the Children

A standout element of the book is the inclusion of pupil voice. Children speak candidly about why they love their teachers, from “She helps us make friends” to “We don’t talk when she’s reading because it’s THAT good.” Their testimony is a powerful validation of the impact of great teaching.

Final Reflections

John concludes with a sense of both awe and humility. While the teachers often claim they’re “just doing their job,” the evidence speaks otherwise. These are practitioners who embody the very best of the profession—who teach not just with skill, but with heart.

Rob Coe’s foreword contextualises the project within wider educational research, especially the challenge of defining and evaluating teaching effectiveness. This book offers an important counterpoint to abstract frameworks: it shows what excellence looks like, sounds like, and feels like in the lived experience of children and teachers.

Verdict: 10/10 – Essential reading for school leaders, ITT providers, and anyone who cares about the real substance of great teaching.

This Much I Know About Truly Great Primary Teachers is not just a tribute to teachers; it’s a vital resource for anyone seeking to understand, support, and develop what truly matters in the classroom.