Wellbeing action plans are an evidence-based approach to promoting wellbeing.  They can be used by children or adults and give a clear, simple framework for staying well. This course gives you an overview of the different elements of a wellbeing action plan and some clear pointers for developing an effective plan.  The framework provided can help to clarify your thoughts and actions whether it’s your own wellbeing that you’re looking to promote or if you’re supporting a pupil or colleague.  The process of writing the plan is every bit as important as actually implementing it and this is especially true when it comes to planning ahead for the holidays with more vulnerable pupils. This course is suitable for anyone interested in developing a wellbeing action plan for themselves or in supporting a child or adult to write one. The course has been developed and delivered by Dr Pooky Knightsmith, a mental health expert who has supported hundreds of adults and children to develop wellbeing action plans through workshops and also through her book “The Mentally Health Schools Workbook” which has an entire chapter dedicated to supporting staff to develop wellbeing action plans.

In this course you will learn about the characteristics of Pathological Demand Avoidance - PDA, a profile of the autism spectrum. Children who present as demand avoidant will also have high levels of anxiety, making everyday tasks seem overwhelming to them and result in refusing, withdrawing or shutting down to avoid doing things.  This can be very challenging in a school environment and can often be overlooked or misinterpreted. We will look at all the ways that a child may present with PDA and how to spot the triggers alongside strategies to help support these children. While autism approaches may be helpful for addressing sensory issues we will also look at the flexible and collaborative approaches that are needed for the child who is demand avoidant.  This course will help you to learn new creative strategies and knowledge to support the child in school as well as enabling the child to feel understood and supported through their time in education. This course is for anyone who would like to gain greater knowledge of PDA and be better equipped to support the child in feeling able to engage with their environment and learning.

In these two linked courses, Matt Bromley explores the vital role transition plays in pupils’ academic and pastoral progress in school. He explains why transition matters, shares five broad categories of school life - sometimes referred to as 'bridges' - in which the transition process can be improved and three features by which an effective transition can be measured. Matt also explains how to make best use of transition days and how to support the transition of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND. He argues the importance of collaboration, saying that what is needed is long-term, genuine and sustainable collaboration between schools.  Matt sets out what effective collaboration might look like in practice.  He then turns his attention to the particulars of primary to secondary transition, transitions within KS3, and from KS3 to KS4, and secondary to post-16 transition. As well as being useful for individual CPD for primary and secondary school leaders, this course could form the basis of SLT discussions or whole-school training. The two courses in this mini series are: Plan an Effective Transition for Your Students and Make Transitions Work for Every Student (inclusion)

In these two linked courses, Matt Bromley explores the vital role transition plays in pupils’ academic and pastoral progress in school. He explains why transition matters, shares five broad categories of school life - sometimes referred to as 'bridges' - in which the transition process can be improved and three features by which an effective transition can be measured. Matt also explains how to make best use of transition days and how to support the transition of disadvantaged pupils and pupils with SEND. He argues the importance of collaboration, saying that what is needed is long-term, genuine and sustainable collaboration between schools.  Matt sets out what effective collaboration might look like in practice.  He then turns his attention to the particulars of primary to secondary transition, transitions within KS3, and from KS3 to KS4, and secondary to post-16 transition. As well as being useful for individual CPD for primary and secondary school leaders, this course could form the basis of SLT discussions or whole-school training. The two courses in this mini series are: Plan an Effective Transition for Your Students and Make Transitions Work for Every Student (inclusion)

In this course, which is the first of three courses on the subject of effective differentiation, Matt Bromley explores some possible dangers of traditional approaches to differentiation and advocates ‘teaching to the top’ for all pupils.  He explains what this might look like in practice, including through the adoption of a mastery learning model.    

As well as being useful for individual CPD for teachers, this course could form the basis of in-school departmental training.   

This course has been developed by Matt Bromley who has over twenty years’ experience in teaching and leadership including as headteacher, principal and MAT director of education.  He is an experienced teacher of English and successful former head of department.  He is now a school improvement advisor, teacher-trainer and public speaker.  He regularly speaks at national and international conferences, and he is a regular contributor to a number of education magazines including TES and SecEd.  He is the author of a number of books on education including How to Learn and School & College Curriculum Design.  

In this course, Matt Bromley shares his tips for managing your classroom. He explores ways of creating a classroom environment that’s conducive to learning, shares top tips for managing behaviour, including how to deal with five common forms of misbehaviour, and explores the role that rewards and sanctions play in classroom management. As well as being useful for individual CPD for new teachers, this course could form the basis of coaching and mentoring activity in schools.

In this course, Matt Bromley shares his tips for making a success of your NQT year. He will explore ways to ensure you pass your induction year, how to take your first steps as an NQT in a new school, and exhort the importance of taking it one term at a time. He will also share advice on how to develop your presence in the classroom. As well as being useful for individual CPD for new teachers, this course could form the basis of coaching and mentoring activity in schools.

When a friend, colleague or member of your community is bereaved, it can be difficult to know what to say or do.  In this course, I walk through some simple ideas to give you confidence in providing the right kind and amount of support to an adult who is grieving.

In this course, which is the second of three courses on the subject of securing a SLT position, Matt Bromley talks about the recruitment process.  He offers advice on writing the covering letter and application, and on preparing for and performing well in panel interviews and during the presentation. As well as being useful for individual CPD, this course could form the basis of in-school 121 coaching for prospective members of SLT.

In this course, which is the third of three courses on the subject of securing a SLT position, Matt Bromley concludes his exploration of the recruitment process by looking at simulations such as team meetings, at written tasks such as the in-tray exercise, and at the final interview.  He then explores what great senior leaders do once appointed. 

As well as being useful for individual CPD, this course could form the basis of in-school 121 coaching for prospective members of SLT. 

In this course, which is the third of three courses on the subject of behaviour management, Matt Bromley shares ten top tips for managing behaviour, shares three principles to guide your behaviour management approaches, and articulates the importance of developing a presence in the classroom to exude authority and control. As well as being useful for individual CPD for teachers, this course could form the basis of whole-school training or 121 coaching.

In this course, which is the second of three courses on the subject of effective differentiation, Matt Bromley explores the importance of lowering the threat level in our classrooms so that all pupils can accept the challenge of hard work and achieve.  He shares five strategies for engendering the growth mindset in our classrooms and explains the importance of high expectations.  He shares two practical strategies for identifying pupils’ ‘struggle zones’ so that work is pitched appropriately, and he analyses some of the most common methods of in-class differentiation. As well as being useful for individual CPD for teachers, this course could form the basis of in-school departmental training.

In this course, Matt Bromley explores three waves of differentiation and support: quality first teaching; in-class differentiation; and additional interventions.  He also examines the role of the teaching assistant in providing differentiated support to lower-performing pupils and those with SEND. As well as being useful for individual CPD for teachers, this course could form the basis of in-school departmental training.

In this course, which is the second of three courses on the subject of curriculum development, Matt Bromley explains how to write a curriculum vision, how to plan ambitious curriculum ‘end points’, and how to plan and sequence the curriculum. He also offers practical advice on how to ensure equal access to the curriculum for all students, irrespective of their starting points and backgrounds, and how to pitch learning in students’ struggle zones so that it is hard but achievable. As well as being useful for individual CPD for school leaders, this course could form the basis of SLT or middle leadership discussions or training

This course is based upon 4 ‘P’ principles which enable children (and teachers) to find fulfilment in their working day. Born out of personal experience, it builds a framework for classroom learning in which children and teachers are able to explore their potential in a mutually supportive and positive environment. Developed within primary schools (although with the potential for secondary application), these principles can change the atmosphere of learning for everyone.

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In this course, which is the second of three courses on the subject of behaviour management, Matt Bromley talks about the importance of motivation and engagement as a means of preventing poor behaviour. As well as being useful for individual CPD for teachers, this course could form the basis of whole-school training or one to one coaching.