Welcome to our mini training module about executive function
Our mini modules are short videos, based on a single idea or concept relating to education. During this video, we explain what executive function is, why it is important to educators, and how to develop pupils’ executive function through a range of strategies.
This training module is suitable for all teaching staff because there will be some pupils in most classes who would benefit from support in developing their executive function. In the video we consider what behaviours you might see in pupils whose executive function is underdeveloped in some areas. We also share strategies teaching staff can use to help pupils improve their executive function skills. There is an associated handout which can download from this page or the resource bank.
The video lasts about 14 minutes and there are two activities you can carry out. Altogether it could take up to 30 minutes to watch the video and complete the tasks.
Executive function
Don’t forget to add this mini training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).
Welcome to our training module about the DfE’s writing framework
The Department for Education’s writing framework sets out clear, research‑informed guidance to help schools teach writing effectively from Reception to Year 6. This training module begins by providing an overview of the framework, then we delve into the key areas that primary school practitioners need to know.
Beginning with an exploration of why writing matters in the early years, we then consider the importance of transcription in EYFS and KS1, and for older children who have not yet secured this vital knowledge. The training module also highlights the importance of sentence building and sentence combining as part of composition. Towards the end of the video we look at the assessment of writing and the leadership of writing across the school.
This 45 minute training module is aimed at teachers and senior leaders in primary schools. Should you carry out all of the activities, the module is likely to increase by 30-40 minutes.
Exploring the DfE’s writing framework
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Welcome to our training module about metacognition
In this training module, you’ll explore your own metacognitive skills before applying the same principles to primary-aged pupils. We’ll unpack why strong subject knowledge underpins effective metacognition and introduce practical, ready‑to‑use classroom strategies that build pupils’ metacognitive and self‑regulation habits.
The session draws on the EEF’s updated 2025 guidance on metacognition and self‑regulated learning. It is designed for teachers, teaching assistants and SENCOs.
The video lasts 40 minutes, but completing all activities extends the session to around 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Metacognition matters
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Welcome to our mini training module about elaboration
Our mini modules are short videos, based on a single idea or concept relating to education. During this video, we explain what elaboration is, why it is important to educators, and how elaboration can clarify concepts for pupils and deepen their understanding.
This training module is suitable for all teaching staff because it explains how to use elaboration to guide pupils to provide more detail in their explanations. The video lasts about nine minutes and there are two activities you can carry out. Altogether it could take up to 20 minutes to watch the video and complete the tasks.
Elaboration
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Welcome to our mini training module about worked examples
Our mini modules are short videos, based on a single idea or concept relating to education. During this video, we explain what worked examples are, why they are important to educators, and how to use worked examples to support pupils in learning new concepts.
This training module is suitable for all teaching staff because it explains how to use worked examples and worked non-examples to help pupils learn by reducing the cognitive load and making the learning process more explicit. The video lasts about 12 minutes and there are two activities you can carry out. Altogether it could take up to 30 minutes to watch the video and complete the tasks.
Worked examples
Don’t forget to add this mini training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).
Welcome to our mini training module about hinge questions
Our mini modules are short videos, based on a single idea or concept relating to education. During this video, we explain what hinge questions are, why they are important to educators, and how to use hinge questions to check pupils’ understanding at a key point in the lesson.
This training module is suitable for all teaching staff because it explains how to use hinge questions, carefully planning the distractors so that the teacher can understand why a pupil is struggling, not just that they’re wrong. The video lasts just under 13 minutes and there are three activities you can carry out. They are best completed with another colleague so you can benefit from the professional dialogue. Altogether it could take up to 40 minutes to watch the video and complete the tasks.
Hinge questions
Please download the document about types of distractors so you can refer to this when creating your own hinge questions during the activities.
Don’t forget to add this mini training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).
Welcome to our training module about using oracy in the classroom
This training module is suitable for school leaders and teaching staff. It is likely to take 60 – 75 minutes to complete, depending upon the time you allocate for the discussions and activities. Please download the associated reflection sheet from this page so you can note down your thoughts as you carry out the reflections and tasks. At the top of this page you will also find some useful checklists for the different types of talk which should support self, peer, and teacher assessment.
Using oracy in the classroom
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Welcome to our mini training module about teacher rehearsal
Our mini modules are short videos, based on a single idea or concept relating to education. During this video, we explain what teacher rehearsal is, why it is important to educators, and how to use teacher rehearsal to make effective changes to your teaching process.
This training module is suitable for all teaching staff because it explains how to use rehearsal and practice to adapt and refine teaching techniques, which should improve the learning experience for pupils. The video lasts about 13 minutes and there are two activities you can carry out. Both are best completed with another colleague so you can benefit from some feedback! Altogether it could take up to 30 minutes to watch the video and complete the tasks.
Teacher rehearsal
Before you watch the video, please download the ‘teacher rehearsal strategies’ document so you can refer to it when engaging with the activities.
Don’t forget to add this mini training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).
Welcome to our mini training module about scaffolding and fading
Our mini modules are short videos, based on a single idea or concept relating to education. During this video, we explain what scaffolding and fading are, why they are important to educators, and how to use them to help pupils grasp new concepts and reduce the support as they become more proficient.
This training module is suitable for all teaching staff because it explains how scaffolding reduces the cognitive load for learners and why the support needs to be reduced – or faded- over time. The video lasts about 13 minutes, and there are two activities you can engage with, one aimed at staff who teach in EYFS/KS1 and the other for KS2. Altogether it could take up to 30 minutes to watch the video and complete the tasks.
Scaffolding and fading
Before you watch the video, please download the ‘fishbowl and anchor chart explanations’ document as it will be useful for activity 2.
Don’t forget to add this mini training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).
Welcome to our mini training module about dual coding
Our mini modules are short videos, based on a single idea or concept relating to education. During this video, we explain what dual coding is, why it is important to educators, and how to use dual modality teaching.
This training module is suitable for all teaching staff as it explores strategies we can use to help pupils learn and retain information.The video lasts about 15 minutes, and there are two activities at the end for you to engage with. These could take up to 30 minutes to complete.
Dual coding
Before you watch the video, please download the document about graphic organisers as it will be useful for activity 2.
Don’t forget to add this mini training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).