Introducing our new Steplab Affiliates 🎉
Highly-skilled existing leaders who have extensive experience of building and leading impactful PD programmes 🚀
We're delighted they're going to be helping our growing community of schools
Read all about it 👉 bit.ly/4j0sw0l
I never realised this was the reason for the flood🤣🤣
This week’s coaching activity focuses on @steplab.bsky.social tag team feature 🤝 for peer coaching drop-ins. We’re co-planning feedback 📝, using lesson evidence 📚 to identify learning challenges, set goals 🎯, choosing action steps ✅, and designing effective rehearsal 👨🏫
A lovely and thoughtful gift left on my desk this morning! A great start to the week!!
👀 Missed our webinar with @elliothahn.bsky.social and @abijoachim.bsky.social on high quality professional development for Teaching Assistants❓
Don't worry! 👇
🎬 Catch-up with the recording here: youtube.com/watch?v=8kJN...
🚀 Ready to give your TAs PD that really works?
👉 steplab.co/book-a-demo
I’m TA Coach, I lead TA training and development through instructional coaching. Each TA gets tailored and bespoke coaching in my school
It certainly adds another dimension to relationship driven cultures and ethos
9/ Final Thought 💡: This report is a solid foundation, but actionable steps are essential to support TAs in providing equitable, impactful education. Consistency, funding, and training will be critical.
8/ Key Insight 🔑: Despite heavy responsibilities, TAs face limited career progression and pay not reflective of their role's breadth. Revising pay scales and career pathways could help retain skilled TAs long-term.
7/ Rethink Needed 🔍: The “velcro model” (TA constantly attached to one pupil) is counterproductive for fostering independence. Adopting a "helicopter approach" aligns with best practices for building student resilience.
6/ Area to Address 📝: Training for TAs is inconsistent—many lack specific skills for SEND support. Increased, accessible professional development would empower TAs to deliver tailored, high-quality support.
5/ Concern 💰: Funding pressures force schools to cover TA costs from limited budgets, impacting recruitment. Enhanced funding, especially for SEND support, is essential to maintain effective TA provision.
4/ Improvement Needed 🛠️: TA deployment still varies widely. Standardising job descriptions & clear guidelines for their roles could ensure consistent, impactful support across schools.
3/ Strength 💬: Leaders and teachers value TAs highly, noting improved class environments and pupil outcomes. The emphasis on adaptive teaching for SEND students shows thoughtful deployment.
2/ Strength ✅: Schools are adapting TAs’ roles to cover tasks like pastoral support thus recognising their versatility & positive impact on teacher workloads.
1/ Strength 📈: The report spotlights TAs' expanded roles, particularly in supporting SEND pupils. Their work is crucial for inclusive education, fostering stronger pupil engagement & reducing behavioral challenges.
🧵THREAD🧵
After the release of the “Use of teaching assistants in schools” in September, I have spent the last few weeks reading, internalising and reflecting on what this research from the DfE essentially tells us (with strengths & developments needed)
✍️✍️NEW BLOG✍️✍️
The importance of questioning in coaching...
elliothahn.edublogs.org/2024/11/09/cul…
Here, I write about my own journey as a coach; using reflective processes to ensure we don't devalue the magic and importance of modelling and rehearsal...
At @MCPAcademy we are a proud @steplab.bsky.social Coaching Hub because we put professional development at the heart of everything we do. When our staff develop, our children thrive…
Come and join us on Tuesday 3rd December for our next hub day!
Book Here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI…
👋 Welcome back - we hope you've had a great break! 🏖️
We can't wait to see you at our webinar on Wednesday! 💻
We'll be joined by @elliothahn.bsky.social and @abijoachim.bsky.social to discuss high-quality PD for Teaching Assistants.
Not secured your place yet⁉️
Book now 👉 bit.ly/3BGoSbN
A fantastic day at @researchedmk.bsky.social It was a pleasure to present at 2 sessions! First with @abijoachim.bsky.social on professional development for TAs and then solo on whole school impactful & sustainable PD!
🚨 This is happening 2 weeks tomorrow! ✈️
Have you got your tickets to see our @academytrust.bsky.social superstars @catrushton.bsky.social @spryke2.bsky.social &
@abijoachim.bsky.social yet? We can't wait!!
Book now your space now! 👇
tinyurl.com/4mpmnkwz
#TransformingPD #TransformingLives #EduSky
Thanks Claire, just reposted! It should be working now👍
***NEW BLOG***
Inclusive & adaptive teaching is the golden thread that ensures every student, regardless of background, can thrive.
elliothahn.edublogs.org/2024/10/06/i...
Had the pleasure of leading another brilliant day at our latest @steplab.bsky.social Instructional Coaching Hub! Full of insightful conversations on how to make coaching and professional development work with an emphasis on culture, leadership, training & design.
Thank you Louise! This really means a lot! Thank you for coming✨
A great day- thank you! The work you are doing to give TAs such excellent PD and coaching is amazing. The day also gave me lots to think about for my own context. 😀
It is that time again!! Ready to welcome school and coaching leads at @MCPAcademy for another @Steplab_co Coaching Hub Day tomorrow! The first set of visitors to this year’s hub events across the year…
Want to know more?: steplab.co/resources/ne...
✅️Big price cuts
✅️Bulk buy discounts
✅️street food menu
✅️merch on the way
😍 over 6 hours of PD from 30+ speakers
Get your tickets 🎟
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/researched...
@tombennett71.bsky.social
A big hello to Manchester Communication Research School! @mancomrs.bsky.social