CTSA Professional Development Courses
Details of our current Professional Development courses can be found below. Click on the course title for further information and a link to book your place(s). Alternatively, contact Lisa Weatherhead adminctsa@newlandsspring.essex.sch.uk
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Joint Maths & English Subject Leader Updates 2024 - 2025 Academic Year
Aims of the Sessions:
- To develop the skills of the subject leader.
- To increase leaders’ subject knowledge of maths and English.
- To update subject leaders on current developments in maths and English.
Course Content:
This programme of termly updates aims to give subject leaders a chance to meet together, build up their knowledge and leadership skills, and remain abreast of developments in primary English.
Sessions will include the sharing of local, national and international research, materials and resources supporting our developing understanding of English and mathematics mastery practice. Sessions will also cover, when appropriate, any developments from the DfE, the EEF and OFSTED.
Key principles of teaching will also be explored and exemplified in both maths and English.
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Stand Alone English Subject Leader Updates 2024 - 2025 Academic yearAims of the Sessions:
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To develop the skills of the subject leader.
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To increase leaders’ subject knowledge of English.
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To update subject leaders on current developments in English.
Course Content:This programme of termly updates aims to give subject leaders a chance to meet together, build up their knowledge and leadership skills, and remain abreast of developments in primary English.Sessions will include the sharing of local, national and international research, materials and resources supporting our developing understanding of English. Sessions will also cover, when appropriate, any developments from the DfE, EEF and Ofsted.This single subject session offers discussion and in depth exploration of the topics covered as well as some additional content. -
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Stand Alone Maths Subject Leader Updates 2024 - 2025 Academic yearAims of the session:
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To develop the skills of the subject leader.
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To increase leaders’ subject knowledge of maths.
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To update subject leaders on current developments in maths.
Course ContentThis programme of termly updates aims to give subject leaders a chance to meet together, build up their knowledge and leadership skills, and remain abreast of local and national news, materials and resources.Sessions will include the sharing of local and national materials and resources supporting our developing understanding of mathematics mastery practice. Sessions will also cover, when appropriate, any developments in KS1 & 2 testing, assessment and Ofsted.Discussion and in depth exploration of the topics covered as well as some additional content. -
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Early Years Leader Updates 2024 - 2025 Academic yearAims of the sessions:This programme is designed to develop the skills and knowledge of EYFS practitioners. They will have the opportunity to work with other schools and practitioners and learn about curriculum development, assessment & recommended resources and practice from the respective settings. Delegates will also consider the use of evaluation and other data to plan improved provision.Course Content:At each session delegates will be provided with:
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Up-to-date information on current EYFS developments and national & local issues.
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Opportunities for discussion & the sharing of practice and strategies.
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A focus on one core CPD theme (see below).
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Opportunities to explore practice & practical activities and resources to support teaching of the specific core theme in both indoor and outdoor environments.
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Discussion around the use of tools to audit the effectiveness of practice & provision and share research and further reading.
Core CPD ThemesSession 1Curricular goals: a ‘survival’ curriculum.Session 2Pedagogy to support problem solvingSession 3Using teachable moments for consolidation and extension. -
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Science Subject Leader Updates 2024 - 2025 Academic yearAims of the sessions:During the sessions you will be exploring many things, including how to:
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Increase progress in children’s scientific knowledge and understanding and their skills of working scientifically.
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Create practical science lessons that excite and engage children and are easy to resource.
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Use different types of scientific enquiry to answer questions, including those generated by the children.
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Identify the science in real-life contexts.
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Teach the tricky science concepts including activities linked to climate change.
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Deepen children's learning in science so they can demonstrate mastery.
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Use problem solving to enable children to apply their scientific knowledge and understanding.
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Know what Ofsted expect of primary school science, including during inspections and leading deep dives.
Each session explores activities and aspects of science requested by subject leaders. Plus, it’s a great way to find out what your colleagues are doing in their schools – there is always someone who can give you an idea or two. -
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Computing Subject Leader Updates 2024 - 2025 Academic yearAims of the sessions:The sessions will include strategies to identify and implement improvement to teaching and learning of computing, online safety and the implementation of education technology. Subject Leaders will be provided with the latest news and developments, both locally and nationally.There will be time for discussion, training and review of resources to ensure computing & online safety subject leaders have a toolkit of resources to meet the needs of the curriculum and responsibilities under Keeping Children Safe in Education.Programme Objectives:
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to develop the skills and knowledge of the computing & online safety subject leader.
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to consider how teachers’ subject knowledge and skills are audited and developed.
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to discuss current developments in computing & online safety.
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to address intent in curriculum policies and the mapping of progression.
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to improve subject knowledge and approaches to auditing and development of skills.
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to provide up-to-date information on local and national issues.
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to offer opportunities for schools to work together and learn from each other on curriculum development, assessment and resources.
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to give an overview of new and emerging technologies in computing and for use across the curriculum.
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to consider ways in which education technology can enhance teaching and learning within and beyond the school setting.
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to support leadership roles in monitoring and evaluation.
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Paediatric First Aid Training 2024 - 2025 Academic yearCourse Content:This course is designed to teach those working with children, lifesaving procedures in First Aid, including how to handle emergencies. Topics covered include responding appropriately to choking, shock, anaphylactic shock, suspected fractures and bleeding. Resuscitation techniques will also be covered, and recognising and responding to the emergency needs of children with chronic medical conditions including epilepsy, asthma and diabetes. A full syllabus is detailed below. Upon reaching a competent standard in all units (assessment will be ongoing throughout the training) each student will receive a certificate of attainment. The certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of completion of the course. There will be practical activities so comfortable clothes should be worn.Syllabus:Administration of medications, Shock, Body check for injuries, Resuscitation - adult, child & baby, Asthma, Concussion, Epilepsy, Meningitis, Hygiene, Common Ailments, First Aid Kits, Poisons, Foreign Objects - swallowed, ears, nose & eyes, Burns, Upset Stomach, Anaphylactic shock, Accident Books, Fractures, Playground first aid, Principles of First Aid, Unconsciousness, Strains & Sprains, Choking- adult, child & baby, Fainting, Compression & Diabetes
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School Assessment Leader Updates 2024 - 2025 Academic year (CTSA MEMBERS ONLY)Aims of the sessions:School Assessment Leaders (SALs) Update Meetings are focused on both the assessment of learning and assessment for learning.The first focus ensures that SALs are as up-to-date as possible in their knowledge and understanding of statutory assessment requirements. As well as disseminating this information, the Course Tutors will provide the names of useful publications and websites to support delegates. Course Tutors also encourage delegates to ask questions and discuss current issues so that they can return to their schools as fully informed as possible.The second focus on assessment for learning will include sharing of latest research, presentation of case studies and often the invitation to course delegates to share and discuss with their colleagues. This last aspect is regarded as particularly valuable as a networking tool that enables delegates to develop their assessment skills in a very supportive environment.
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Core Programme for Teaching Assistants 2024 - 2025 Academic yearAims of the sessions:This three session programme is now available to all TAs and is also suitable for those who may be moving from a specific one to one support role to a more generalist one. It covers a range of core skills that we believe will enhance the role of the teaching assistant across the Trust. The programme consists of three half day face to face training sessions, with school based tasks between aimed at exploring theory in practice. Suggestions will also be given for reading / research that can be used to take the themes explored to a ‘greater depth’.Session 1 – A focus on teaching Questioning / talk for learning / Enabling effective group work Supporting whole class teaching / An introduction to AfL.Session 2 - A focus on learning: Promoting independent learning skills (including SEND) Scaffolding learning / Developing learning skills Metacognition and self regulationSession 3 - Being part of the school team Professional values and practice / Supporting assessment Effective communication / Managing interventions
- Developing Oracy in the Primary School with Jonathan Bond
Session Objectives
- To understand the key pedagogy involved in teaching oracy
- To know how to create an 'oracy classroom'
- To know a range of practical approaches for teaching oracy
There has been a renewed focus from Ofsted, the DfE and political parties on the importance of oracy in the primary classroom. This brand new course is essential for those wishing to make their children better speakers and listeners, without unduly adding to timetable pressures. It runs over three sessions. Participants will begin by exploring how to teach an oracy curriculum and how to establish a classroom where oracy is central to teaching and learning. In following sessions each element of oracy will be explored in turn, from examining the more intimate conversational skills of everyday talk, to discovering the keys to successful public speaking. Participants will leave with a thorough understanding of this important subject and a wealth of practical approaches to use back in school.
Session 1 - Creating an oracy classroom
Session 2 - Developing everyday talk and group talk
Session 3 - Developing public speaking and drama
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Emergency First Aid at Work 2024 - 2025 Academic yearCourse Content:This course is designed to teach those working with children, lifesaving procedures in First Aid, including how to handle emergencies Topics covered include responding appropriately to choking, shock, anaphylactic shock, suspected fractures and bleeding. Resuscitation techniques will also be covered, and recognising and responding to the emergency needs of children with chronic medical conditions including epilepsy, asthma and diabetes. A full syllabus is detailed below.Upon reaching a competent standard in all units (and whilst there is no formal examination), the candidates will be assessed during the course and an attendance certificate will be issued.The certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of completion of the course.There will be practical activities so comfortable clothes should be worn. Females should wear trousers.The facilitator for this training is GeesTraining Services.Syllabus:Principles and practice of First Aid, including:Asthma / Concussion / Epilepsy / Use of cold compress / Anaphylactic Shock / Fractures / Playground First Aid / Choking (Adult & Child) / Bleeding / Strains & Sprains / Shock / Burns & ScaldsResuscitation – adult & childContents of First Aid BoxKeeping Records – Accident BookDefibrillationUnconsciousnessCommunications (999)
- Using Debating in KS2 with Jonathan Bond
Session Objectives
- To understand how debating works
- To know how to run debates in the classroom
- To know how to teach the skills and strategies involved in debate
This brand new half day course explores how to use debating successfully across the curriculum in the primary school. Participants will learn how debating works, different types of debate and what it looks like in the classroom. They will examine how to aid children in planning their talk, making arguments, delivering expressively, and responding to others. Delegates will leave fully prepared to build oracy and critical thinking in their pupils by trying out this exciting technique back in school.
- Using Mentoring to Improve Pupil Wellbeing and Achievement
Following the pandemic, schools have witnessed an increase in wellbeing and attendance issues which are adversely affecting children’s learning. This is being reflected in pupil standards across the country. For many years, learning mentoring has been the most successful strategy for dealing with such difficulties. There has never been a time when it has been needed more.
Those who act as learning mentors to pupils provide a complementary service to teachers and other staff, addressing the needs of children who require assistance in overcoming barriers to learning and support for their positive mental health and wellbeing in order to achieve their full potential. They provide support, advice and challenge in order for the children to learn appropriate skills and behaviours to enable them to engage effectively in learning.
The approach is particularly useful for stressed and anxious children. Mentors have to be patient, good listeners. They also have to constantly problem solve. Confidentiality is key to learning mentoring and those who act as mentors must also be familiar with child protection guidelines.
This course will enable participants to develop the key skills of learning mentoring over two days of training. They will then be asked to mentor a child and attend two half day progress meetings. These meetings will continue to develop their skills and give them a chance to discuss their pupils’ progress.
The training is suitable for schools who wish staff (often LSAs) to develop the skills of mentoring as a core part of their professional development. It is also suitable for schools who wish to train dedicated staff to carry out the specific role of learning mentor.
Programme Objectives:- To be able to identify barriers to learning and know how to overcome these
- To develop the skills of learner mentoring
- To apply and reflect on these in practice
- A Mathematics spotlight for teaching assistants
Using the right manipulative at the right time to reveal the mathematical structure and secure deep understanding.
Session Content
This practical and fun maths professional development for teaching assistants will deepen their understanding of how manipulatives can expose the mathematical structures.
Throughout the training we will model how to use the manipulatives correctly alongside the appropriate mathematical vocabulary. This will develop their subject knowledge and their role in supporting deep conceptual learning in the classroom.
Session Outcomes
The teaching assistants will understand how manipulatives can:
- Build or deepen the understanding of mathematical concepts.
- Support pupils moving from concrete to abstract thinking.
- Increase engagement and motivation.
We will also explore the importance of supporting the learning rather than the completion of the task.
Course Cancellation Policy:
If for any reason you need to cancel your booking unfortunately a refund will only be issued if we are able to fill your place. Please note, if a delegate does not attend a booked session and has not cancelled in advance, we will send any relevant resources and invoice for 50% of the original course fee. Where a course that is free of charge is cancelled at short notice (less than 48 hours) we reserve the right to make a cancellation charge of £20.