Course

  • 5 Modules

    Improve the Quality of Teaching & Learning through Lesson Observation – 1 – What & Why?

    This course will explain and explore the importance of lesson observations as part of continuing professional development for a range of teachers it will look at the practicalities some of the theories behind effective observations and the range of areas that need to be explored the whole course will be seen within the context of the new Ofsted framework

    This course has been developed by Kevin Piper who has worked in a range of institutions from primary to secondary as well as colleges adult education and in universities. He has worked for many years in school improvement nationally and internationally and use lesson observations in a range of contexts

  • 7 Modules

    Make a Success of Remote Teaching

    In this course, Matt Bromley shares three starting principles for effective remote learning and walks you through his top five tips for effective remote teaching. This course is a practical exploration of the features of virtual pedagogy and will help you ensure that the work you set pupils to complete at home is both manageable and meaningful. As well as being useful for individual CPD, this course could also form the basis of group discussions or training and is likely to be of especial interest to schools and colleges dealing with partial school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. This course has been developed by Matt Bromley who has over twenty years’ experience in teaching and leadership including as headteacher, and is now a school improvement advisor, teacher-trainer and public speaker. He regularly speaks at national and international conferences on the subject of effective pedagogy and practice, and he is a regular contributor to a number of education magazines including TES and SecEd. He has experience designing and delivering webinars and other forms of remote learning. He is the author of a number of books on education including How to Learn and School & College Curriculum Design.
  • 11 Modules

    Create a Truly Inclusive Environment Where Children with Special Needs Can Thrive

    During this course we walk through a simple framework for promoting a truly inclusive environment that feels safe and nurturing for all children and especially those with special educational needs or social, emotional or mental health issues. Inspired by the 4S framework developed by Daniel J Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson for parents, we consider our role as adults working with, caring for or supporting young people with special needs and the small but meaningful changes we might make to the physical, social, emotional and cognitive environment to enable them to thrive both now – and in the future as every positive experience helps to create and strengthen neural pathways; laying the foundation for future positive experiences. This course was developed for SENDCos (special needs leads in UK schools) and so the course will be of especial interest to anyone supporting a child or children with special needs or emotional wellbeing issues.  However, there is much of interest here for anyone who works with or cares for a child. The ideas are widely applicable and highly adaptable and you’ll be able to readily apply them to your work and life. This course was developed and delivered by Dr Pooky Knightsmith who has a PhD in child and adolescent mental health and has spent many years as a governor at a range of special schools and who has led many training events for staff and parents supporting children with SEND. A version of this course was originally part of an online SENDCo training event commissioned by the Girls Day School Trust in the UK.
  • 13 Modules

    Gain Instant Feedback to Diagnose and Challenge Learning

    This course is about being able to use assessment for learning as an ongoing tool to gain insight into the pupils’ understanding. It’s comprised of 10 different techniques that can be easily slotted into any lesson for any year group to make learning collaborative, engaging and most importantly visible. It uses very simple structures to support instant diagnosis where misconceptions or lack of experience means the learning is not pitched accurately and lesson time is lost. For children who are demonstrating a deep understanding these structures enable the teacher to instantly challenge the learning further. No more lesson observation criticising progress of pupils or lack of challenge again!
  • 12 Modules

    Inspire Pupils to Write Poetry

    Many pupils and teachers alike are fearful of writing poetry which is a shame as it can be such a fun and powerful tool and a brilliant gateway into wider writing, thinking and performing.  In this course, you’ll explore a range of ideas for making poetry seem less scary and more accessible giving you the inspiration, ideas and confidence you need to get your pupils writing. This course has been developed by Dr Pooky Knightsmith, author of “Using Poetry to Promote Talking and Healing” which includes an anthology of her own poems and dozens of poetry writing prompts.  Pooky wrote a poem every day for over three years, just to see if she could get any good at it.  The jury is out on that, but she found the process of writing and sharing her poetry powerful indeed and has run many workshops which have inspired other aspiring writers.