Drawing on the lessons from one of the world's leading research and development efforts involving teaching assistants (TAs), this book is the authors' most authoritative text yet on how to design a whole school plan to improve TAs' deployment, practice and preparedness, and put it into action. The authors use robust theories and original research to explore an innovative and integrated approach to making the most of TAs, and recognising the valuable contributions they make to the classroom and the school. Structured around a unique and empirically sound conceptual framework, this book provides essential principles, practical tools and workable strategies, developed through collaboration with hundreds of UK schools. It focuses on ensuring TAs can thrive in their role, and presents the tools and techniques needed to do so accessibly, and is illustrated with case studies on school and classroom practices. Essential reading for all primary school leaders and SENCOs responsible for training and managing TAs, this book is also a useful resource for teachers and teaching assistants looking to optimise the TAs' contributions. Used in combination with The Teaching Assistant's Guide to Effective Interaction, Maximising the Impact of Teaching Assistants in Primary Schools is a comprehensive and unrivalled guide to supporting school workforce improvement.

Strategic Planning for School Leaders equips readers with critical knowledge regarding the practices and leadership skillsets needed to establish and lead the strategic planning process within the school setting. Readers learn how to cultivate and channel visionary, curriculum, managerial, cultural, ethical, and political leadership to create effective school improvements and support academic achievement. The opening chapter defines strategic planning and illuminates how the strategic planning process applies within the school setting. Additional chapters cover the Every Student Succeeds Act; conducting needs assessments and analyzing the resulting data; developing and prioritizing goals and objectives; and the importance of consistently building the instructional abilities of those who are working with and teaching students. Closing chapters demonstrate how to effectively monitor, assess, and evaluate strategic plans with emphasis on the cyclical nature of the strategic planning process and the need for ongoing, continuous improvements. Featuring practical illustrations of the strategic planning process, vignettes based on the authors' experiences, and ample reflection opportunities, Strategic Planning for School Leaders is a valuable resource for courses and programs in educational leadership and school administration.

First published in 1991. This work is about training and special education needs in the international arena. The book was commissioned as a result of the 1990 International Special Education Conference in Cardiff. The contributors, from the USA, Canada, Africa and the United Kingdom, have focused on innovative approaches to staff training. The identification of a contribution as innovatory has been done on the basis of either the description of an alternative method of planning or delivery, a focus of a frequently ignored client group or in relation to the existence of specific problems which affect the provision of training.

Aimed at teaching assistants who work closely with children with special educational needs, The Effective Teaching Assistant: A Practical Guide to Supporting Achievement for Pupils with SEND is a practical and accessible resource tailored precisely for teaching assistants' specific needs, which explores both the opportunities and limitations presented by their role. Each chapter provides both training activities and teaching resources designed to assist TAs/HLTAs in reflecting on their own experience while enhancing current practice. The chapters address key topics including SEND and inclusive teaching Multi-sensory teaching Supporting differentiation or adaptive teaching. Supplemented with checklists and useful diagrams, this text is essential reading for teaching assistants, students and practitioners. It is particularly relevant for students working in undergraduate, post graduate and professional development programmes.

Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools is an accessible, user-friendly handbook designed to provide practical guidance and ideas to support Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs). It covers the knowledge and skills needed by HLTAs to work effectively with pupils, teachers, parents and other professionals concerned with the well-being of children. The book relates directly to the standards for HLTAs but also provides a deeper grounding in pedagogy and the role of the teacher and the HLTA in creating productive learning environments. The text is illuminated with examples of existing good practice, and a range of tried-and-tested strategies to help HLTAs develop in all aspects of their work. It provides essential background knowledge, together with a range of activities designed to support learning, examining: the roles of the HLTA and teacher respectively, and interactively classroom management and interactions with pupils pupil differences the place of the HLTA within the school community professional development. The book can be used alongside the popular Routledge Learning to Teach in the Secondary School series, which gives detailed examples of theory and practice about teaching and learning for trainee teachers. It is an invaluable resource for current and prospective HLTAs working across a wide range of subjects

This practical teaching resource has been designed to give children aged 9-12 the basic tools required to challenge some of the conflicting information which they may encounter in everyday life. With increasing exposure to modern information technology and social media, amongst other things, children are increasingly exposed to misleading information that can seriously influence their worldview and self-esteem. The sooner they are helped to approach some of this material with a critical eye, the better they will be able to make independent judgements and resist undue persuasion. Key features of this book include: * Short texts designed to give opportunities for critical examination, created to be points of discussion with individuals, groups or whole classes * Topics covering seven areas of critical thought, ordered in level of difficulty, including finding contradictions, and detecting bias and fake news * Supporting teacher prompts and questions, as well as photocopiable resources without prompts The ability to question and evaluate information is an essential life skill, as well as a key skill for academic learning, yet it remains one of the most challenging aspects of comprehension to teach. This is a vital text for teachers, teaching assistants and other professionals looking to develop critical thinking skills in their students.

Behaviour Management and the Role of the Teaching Assistant draws on the latest research as well as teaching assistants' own views to enable readers to reconsider TA deployment and to maximise the benefits TAs have to offer in supporting children's behaviour. It considers the difficulties facing TAs, summarises the key stages in the evolution of their role in the classroom and highlights the significant challenges of TAs' role definition. Using current research findings, this book provides guidance and practical activities to support schools in empowering TAs to work with children whose behaviour challenges. Each chapter considers a range of strategies for working with TAs, as well as the strengths and limitations of these approaches. There are also a range of self-/school-auditing and self-evaluation tasks with key points to consider and practical in-school suggestions at the end of each chapter. This is essential reading for professionals at all levels working in schools wanting to understand how teaching assistants can best be supported to successfully manage behaviour in schools.

This essential and ground-breaking resource for all practising and aspiring teaching assistants brings together all the crucial information necessary to support the full diversity of learners, from Early Years to Key Stage 4 in one comprehensive volume. Based on the revised National Occupational Standards for teaching assistants, this book effectively supports the personalised learning and Every Child Matters (ECM) well being of children and young people in schools.

Coverage includes:

• an overview of the Every Child Matters change for children programme and how this informs the role of the teaching assistant working in multi-disciplinary school personalised learning and well being teams
• applying existing practical strategies to develop children and young people s skills as confident, collaborative and independent learners who experience positive ECM outcomes
• monitoring and evaluating the impact of teaching assistant support in improving the ECM outcomes
• how teaching assistants can meet the requirements of the OFSTED inspection process.

This accessible, user-friendly book provides a wealth of practical resources, including photocopiable materials, templates, and positive solution-focused advice to support busy teaching assistants.

Every Child Matters: A Practical Guide for Teaching Assistants provides a clear description of what the ECM agenda means for TAs and how it will impact on their role. It is also a valuable resource for all those line managing and supporting the continuing professional development of teaching assistants, from local authorities, FE and HE organisations.

Study Skills for Foundation Degrees offers a step-by-step guide to the skills needed to successfully complete a Foundation Degree. Filled with activities and useful tips, it will help students to move from nervous novice to confident expert and provide them with the necessary tools to accomplish this. By reading this book, students will be able to learn new skills and enhance existing ones. This third edition has been fully updated and features new chapters on e-learning and dissertations as well as expanded sections on ethics, feedback and referencing. Each chapter includes practical guidance as well as student perspectives that will help students through their course of study. It includes advice on how to support learning, boost motivation and enhance time management, and covers all the essential skills required for successful study, including: Effective reading and note-taking strategies Developing oral skills in a wide range of presentation settings, including what makes a good presentation and how each stage of the process can be prepared for Carrying out well-planned, methodologically sound and well-written research Preparing for examinations and other forms of assessment Producing a professional development portfolio or winning CV Highly accessible, this new edition is an essential resource for all Foundation Degree students who want to get the most out of their course, mature students or anyone with limited or no experience of academic study.

Originally published in 1986. Those involved in management in schools are being urged to develop their management skills and many courses are developed for this purpose. At the same time many new issues have arisen which require attention from managers in schools. These include: staff appraisal, curriculum evaluation and action research. This book examines major topics of present concern in the management of secondary schools. It presents much new thinking on these major problems and reports on particular initiatives. The aim is to help improve practice, both by helping trainers focus their courses correctly and by encouraging those involved in school management to approach their work more purposefully. School management is treated from the perspective of the industrial trainer, the Local Education Authority, higher education and the school practitioner.

Originally published in 1991. This edited work consists of contributions from practitioners in the field of school improvement, development and advisory work. It is to help advisory and support personnel understand the process of school improvement and to explore the management and development of this work in the context of changes brought about by legislation. The book is for those who are concerned with developing the educational experiences for all children through improving schools. This includes teachers and all those with advisory roles: inspectors, advisers, advisory teachers, educational psychologists, curriculum development officers and external consultants.

How to Be a Brilliant Teaching Assistant draws on knowledge from very experienced teaching assistants and Susan Bentham's own extensive research to explore the common denominators that unite all brilliant teaching assistants. The book explores becoming a brilliant teaching assistant as a journey and not an end point, and provides support that will help you along the way, whether you're just starting out in your career or you've been an experienced teaching assistant for years. This accessible book covers all aspects of the teaching assistant role, such as: Key roles and responsibilities Meta-cognition and understanding children's learning Delivering high quality lessons alongside teachers Developing useful subject knowledge Undertaking research and professional development Illustrated with activities, discussion points and anecdotes, this book is a source of support, guidance and inspiration for every teaching assistant engaged in the ongoing process of becoming an outstanding professional.

This practical A4 pack contains activities and ideas for teachers and students to learn more about learning. Learning about Learning is a practical way of teaching important and neglected theories of learning. The idea is that if teachers and students learn about what learning is and how it happens they understand a greater range of learning possibilities and approaches and improve their learning and teaching skills.

Packed full of practical suggestions, tips, advice and up-to-date factual information, this book provides a trouble-shooting guide to help teaching assistants deal with a wide variety of classroom situations. Issues and dilemmas confronted in the book include: who's who in the school self esteem how to use individual learning styles to support students and those with special needs dealing with unacceptable behaviour coping with the job and personal development. Whether read from cover to cover or used as a quick reference tool for looking up specific concerns, this is an essential book for all teaching assistants in primary, secondary and special needs schools, those starting out, and teaching assistants enrolled on training programmes such as NVQ 2, NVQ 3 and the higher level teaching assistant's award.

This is a practical guide to the role, management, and deployment of teaching assistants. It offers comprehensive and informed support, underpinned by illustrative case studies throughout. Information and practical guidance is given on: the role and competencies of teaching assistants how to audit the existing teaching assistant provision in the school the teaching assistant's role in planning, delivery and feedback how to appoint, induct, mentor and appraise teaching assistants the effective management of teaching assistants by teachers and managers, and the need for a whole school approach opportunities for continual professional development for teaching assistants. This book is based on extensive observation of teaching assistants working in schools, and will have practical significance and implications for headteachers, senior management staff, teachers, LEA advisors, trainers and consultants.

Achieving Outstanding Classroom Support in Your Secondary School shows how secondary school teachers and other school staff can work with Teaching Assistants to ensure that classroom support is maximised and an optimum working relationship is developed. Based on research taken directly from the classroom, all recommendations and guidelines explored in this book are based on the findings of those who have consulted Teaching Assistants about their work, in order to better understand the dynamics of classrooms where at least one of the adults present is supporting the other, directly or indirectly. Topics studied include: Understanding the roles and responsibilities of the Teaching Assistant What the research tells us about Teaching Assistants How to plan before the lesson How to involve the Teaching Assistant in the lesson How to provide feedback and advocacy for the Teaching Assistant after the lesson This accessible text provides a highly supportive framework to prompt teachers to be proactive and plan ahead for effective use of their Teaching Assistants in the classroom and will be of interest to all secondary teachers, SENCOs, heads of departments and school managers.

Teaching assistants are an integral part of classroom life, yet pioneering research by the authors has shown schools are not making the most of this valued resource. Evidence shows the more support pupils receive from TAs, the less academic progress they made. Yet the reason for this has little to do with TAs. It is decisions made about them by school leaders and teachers that best explain this provocative finding. The fully updated second edition of this book draws on the experiences of schools that have put this guidance into action via the Maximising the Impact of Teaching Assistants programme. Revised to reflect the latest research evidence and changes within education, including the 2014 SEND Code of Practice, this book will help school leaders and teachers in primary and secondary settings to rethink the role, purpose and contribution of TAs, and add real value to what can be achieved in classrooms. Setting out a field-tested process, structured around a coherent and empirically sound conceptual framework, this book: helps school leaders review, reform and reenergise their TA workforce provides practical strategies to implement in the classroom illustrates key points with new case studies provides photocopiable templates and resources to support decision-making and action. Maximising the Impact of Teaching Assistants provides much-needed and evidence-informed guidance on how to unleash the huge potential of TAs, and is essential reading for all school leaders.

Teaching assistants are an integral part of classroom life, yet pioneering research by the authors has shown schools are not making the most of this valued resource. Evidence shows the more support pupils receive from TAs, the less academic progress they made. Yet the reason for this has little to do with TAs. It is decisions made about them by school leaders and teachers that best explain this provocative finding. The fully updated second edition of this book draws on the experiences of schools that have put this guidance into action via the Maximising the Impact of Teaching Assistants programme. Revised to reflect the latest research evidence and changes within education, including the 2014 SEND Code of Practice, this book will help school leaders and teachers in primary and secondary settings to rethink the role, purpose and contribution of TAs, and add real value to what can be achieved in classrooms. Setting out a field-tested process, structured around a coherent and empirically sound conceptual framework, this book: helps school leaders review, reform and reenergise their TA workforce provides practical strategies to implement in the classroom illustrates key points with new case studies provides photocopiable templates and resources to support decision-making and action. Maximising the Impact of Teaching Assistants provides much-needed and evidence-informed guidance on how to unleash the huge potential of TAs, and is essential reading for all school leaders.

The SENCO Survival Guide, Third Edition is an informative, accessible resource containing practical advice to help SENCOs manage their responsibilities and lead their school effectively towards a common goal. The book sets out a whole school approach to inclusion and supports SENCOs in mainstream or special schools at every key stage. This fully revised new edition features: a focus on high quality teaching, with ideas for classroom practice to include and engage all children and young people an introduction to SEN support and education, health and care plans, based on the Code of Practice graduated response strategies to break the cycle of SEND low achievement and guidance on how to create a SEND-friendly environment advice on the role of the modern SENCO, including assessment, provision mapping, preparing for OFSTED, disability discrimination and equality advice on training, managing and deploying teaching assistants effectively strategies to improve 'pupil voice' and independence ways in which the enhanced role of parents can be harnessed in order to achieve maximum success for learners with SEND conclusions from the author's new 'field research' in mainstream, special and Post-16 settings This resource gives SENCOs the confidence, skills and knowledge to promote maximum achievement for learners with SEND and will help them develop and shape their schools' policies and practices. It will also be of use to other members of staff looking for practical strategies to raise the attainment of pupils with SEN and disabilities.

Written to meet the needs of teaching assistants and learning support assistants, this book provides a practical toolkit for supporting students on the autistic spectrum in mainstream secondary schools.

The book offers a clear, jargon free explanation of autism spectrum conditions and examines the difficulties arising from these conditions and how they can impact on students learning. Addressing issues which arise on a daily basis, it is full of practical advice and strategies for supporting students socially and academically across all areas of the curriculum.

Features include:

Packed with photocopiable resources that can be adapted to suit individual students needs, this book is essential reading for teaching assistants that want to help their students on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential. "

The college years can be some of the most vibrant and transformative in an individual's life, but they are also fraught with uncertainty. The resident advisor or assistant (RA) not only confronts these decisions for him or herself but must also help his or her residents navigate the world of important decisions which the undergraduate experience presents. Lessons Learned is the definitive volume for training RAs to become comfortable with their roles as student leaders. Over four dozen common RA mistakes are discussed, chapter-by-chapter, in the form of individual letters written by experienced RAs to new staff members. Each chapter includes thought-provoking discussion questions, a list of internet and media resources, and additional tips related to each situation. Now in its second edition, this updated volume provides a new overview of student developmental theory and covers a host of new topics, including evolving thought on 21st century predicaments such as social media, texting and the Internet. This is an important text for beginning and experienced RAs, as well as for the university staff who train these crucial pillars of the university community.

Over the last decade, teaching assistants (TAs) have become an established part of everyday classroom life. TAs are often used by schools to help low-attaining pupils and those with special educational needs. Yet despite the huge rise in the number of TAs working in UK classrooms, very little is known about their impact on pupils. This key and timely text examines the impact of TAs on pupils' learning and behaviour, and on teachers and teaching. The authors present the provocative findings from the ground-breaking and seminal Deployment and Impact of Support Staff (DISS) project. This was the largest, most in-depth study ever to be carried out in this field. It critically examined the effect of TA support on the academic progress of 8,200 pupils, made extensive observations of nearly 700 pupils and over 100 TAs, and collected data from over 17,800 questionnaire responses and interviews with over 470 school staff and pupils. This book reveals the extent to which the pupils in most need are let down by current classroom practice. The authors present a robust challenge to the current widespread practices concerning TA preparation, deployment and practice, structured around a conceptually and empirically strong explanatory framework. The authors go on to show how schools need to change if they are to realise the potential of TAs. With serious implications not just for classroom practice, but also whole-school, local authority and government policy, this will be an indispensable text for primary, secondary and special schools, senior management teams, those involved in teacher training and professional development, policy-makers and academics.

The role of ICT in enhancing both teaching and learning in classrooms continues to develop, no more so than when in the hands of effective practitioners. This easy-to-use book outlines the many ways in which it can be used, both as a subject, and as a tool to support learning across the curriculum.

Now fully updated to take into account innovations in ICT and the revised National Occupational Standards, ICT for Teaching Assistants looks at the impact of these changes and includes:

• Practical examples of how ICT, including web-based tools such as blogs and wikis, can be used;
• Guidance to working competently and safely on the internet;
• Suggestions for activities with ideas for how these can be used in a variety of contexts;
• Advice on gathering evidence to help build assessment plans
• Information on health and safety and legal requirements.

With links throughout to the National Occupational Standards for Teaching Assistants at Levels 2 and 3, this accessible book is essential for teaching assistants who wish to develop their confidence in ICT.

The role of ICT in enhancing both teaching and learning in classrooms continues to develop, no more so than when in the hands of effective practitioners. This easy-to-use book outlines the many ways in which it can be used, both as a subject, and as a tool to support learning across the curriculum.

Now fully updated to take into account innovations in ICT and the revised National Occupational Standards, ICT for Teaching Assistants looks at the impact of these changes and includes:

• Practical examples of how ICT, including web-based tools such as blogs and wikis, can be used;
• Guidance to working competently and safely on the internet;
• Suggestions for activities with ideas for how these can be used in a variety of contexts;
• Advice on gathering evidence to help build assessment plans
• Information on health and safety and legal requirements.

With links throughout to the National Occupational Standards for Teaching Assistants at Levels 2 and 3, this accessible book is essential for teaching assistants who wish to develop their confidence in ICT.

Based on the updated National Occupational Standards for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, this new edition of A Teaching Assistant s Guide to Completing NVQ Level 2 caters directly to the criteria of the course, providing the necessary Knowledge and Understanding required as well as invaluable information regarding evidence collection.

Incorporating the changed guidelines regarding evidence collection this comprehensive guide demonstrates the role of the assessor in observing and questioning the candidate and that of the candidate asking colleagues to provide witness statements.

As well as providing in-depth underpinning knowledge for all mandatory units and a vast array of optional units, this book offers a range of tried-and-tested materials and practical advice for NVQ Level 2 candidates. The authors have included numerous self-assessment activities, case studies and quizzes to enable candidates to check their understanding of key concepts, to make connections from theory to practice and to assist them in their observation and assessment sessions.

Written in an engaging and approachable manner and illustrated with many cartoons, this book aims to give the candidate the knowledge necessary to embark on this qualification with confidence.

A wide range of chapters provides essential advice for NVQ Level 2 candidates, including how to:

• support children s development;
• provide effective support for your colleagues;
• observe and report on pupil performance;
• provide support for learning activities;
• support a child with disabilities or special educational needs.

Highly practical and rooted in everyday classroom practice, this book is specifically aimed at teaching assistants enrolled on, or embarking upon, NVQ courses that support the government s National Occupational Standards. In addition this book will be of benefit to schools and teachers who are supporting teaching assistants taking this course.