This keynote offers a personal perspective on some of the key drivers for excellent teaching in ways that can lead to productive student learning. Arguing that outstanding teaching can be fostered rather than being an innate skill, it presents some of the features that scholarship suggests characterise teaching excellence, which can then lead to focussed, engaged and sustainable student learning. Moving away from a transmissive model of content delivery, it will be suggested that authentic, meaningful and long-lasting learning relies on an active partnership between teachers and the taught and that assessment plays a key role in making this happen.