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 training module, Best Start in Life series: Part 3 -the 4 specific areas of learning

In this video, we explore the third and final part of Ofsted’s research series into what makes an effective early years curriculum, focusing on the specific areas of learning. We think about the important building blocks in English and mathematics that are necessary for future learning. We also explore how the connectivity between understanding the world and expressive arts and design aids early learning. Towards the end of the video we highlight the strategies and share practices that early years staff should put in place to help ensure that every child gets the best start in life. 

This training module is suitable for anyone working in early years, or for subject and senior leaders, because it focuses on what makes a high quality education. It is likely to take 45 minutes to complete. Please download the reflection sheet so you can record your thoughts as you watch the video.

Best Start in Life series: Part 3 – the 4 specific areas of learning

You can use the video chapters document to quickly find specific places within the video.

Remember to add this training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).

Welcome to the session on English – learning from Ofsted’s subject report

This video is a recording of the content delivered during an online event where we take you through Ofsted’s subject report about English. This training module is suitable for anyone working in primary education who teaches or leads English. It is likely to take 35-40 minutes to complete. Please download the reflection sheet so you can record your thoughts as you watch the video.

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).

Welcome to the session on Religious Education – learning from Ofsted’s subject report

This video is a recording of the content delivered during an online event where we take you through Ofsted’s subject report about Religious Education. This training module is suitable for anyone working in primary education who teaches or leads RE. It is likely to take 35-40 minutes to complete. Please download the reflection sheet so you can record your thoughts as you watch the video.

Welcome to our training module, Closing attainment gaps: Part 1
Understanding disadvantage

In part 1 of our ‘closing attainment gaps’ series, we explore the impact of socio-economic disadvantage on children and their learning. Disadvantaged pupils can succeed in school, but it is vital we understand their individual circumstances and intervene as early as possible. This training module examines the importance of building pupils’ self-efficacy to ensure a positive response when learning is difficult.

This training module is suitable for all teaching and pastoral staff, especially those with a specific responsibility for disadvantaged pupils. It is likely to take about an hour to complete, depending upon the time allocated to carrying out the activities and discussions.

We recommend that you download the reflection sheet to record your thoughts and ideas linked to the activities in the video.

Closing attainment gaps: Part 1 Understanding disadvantage

Remember, you can use the video chapters document to quickly find specific places within the video.

Don’t forget to add this training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).

Welcome to our training module, Closing attainment gaps: Part 2
Strategies for English and maths

In part 2 of our ‘closing attainment gaps’ series, we share a range of strategies staff can use to help close the attainment gaps between underachieving pupils and their peers, especially those that are disadvantaged. As oral language development underpins many issues pupils face with English and maths difficulties, we explore the importance of purposeful talk and the need to develop academic language. This is followed by reading, writing, spelling and maths strategies and interventions you could consider.

We would recommend this training module for all teaching staff as well as SENCOs and those responsible for supporting disadvantaged pupils. It is likely to take around an hour to complete, depending upon the time allocated to carrying out the activities and discussions.

Please download the reflection sheet and the associated documents before watching this video, so you can refer to them throughout the training session.

Closing attainment gaps: Part 2 Strategies for English and maths

Remember, you can use the video chapters document to quickly find specific places within the video.

Don’t forget to add this training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).

Welcome to our training module on making feedback manageable and effective

This training module is suitable for teachers, teaching assistants and any other adults who provide pupils with feedback. This module is likely to take 35 – 45 minutes, depending on how long you allocate for the discussions and activities.

For one of the activities you are encouraged to choose a section from a pupil’s book to provide feedback on. Therefore it would be a good idea to have a few pupils’ books available for this purpose before you start the video.

Welcome to our training module, effective parental engagement

This training module focuses on the various ways we can boost parental engagement. We consider the barriers of terminology when working with ‘hard-to-reach’ parents and explore practical strategies to encourage engagement between school and home. Finally we share a school communication plan and what you should include in a school communications policy.

This training module is suitable for all staff who come into contact with parents. We anticipate it will take 45 minutes to complete, depending upon the time you allocate to carry out the activities and discussions.

We recommend that you download the reflection sheet so you can record your thoughts and ideas about effective parental engagement.

Effective parental engagement

Remember, you can use the video chapters document to quickly find specific places within the video.

Don’t forget to add this training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).

Welcome to our training module, Best Start in Life series: Part 2 -the 3 prime areas of learning

This training module is based on Ofsted’s research into best Early Years practice and follows on from part 1. In this video we focus on what it means to make progress in the 3 prime areas of learning and why they are crucial to children’s success in later life. This includes why frequent high quality interactions are central to effective education in the early years. We also touch on the the principles of curriculum design and delivery that ensure all children, including those who are disadvantaged or SEND, learn what they need in order to do well in their education.

This training module is suitable for anyone working in early years, or for subject and senior leaders, because it focuses on what makes a high quality education. It is likely to take 45 minutes to complete. Please download the reflection sheet so you can record your thoughts as you watch the video.

Best Start in Life series: Part 2 – the 3 prime areas of learning

You can use the video chapters document to quickly find specific places within the video.

Remember to add this training module to your professional development portfolio (PDP).