Teaching Assistant

AfL in Action: Practical Assessment for Learning for TAs

How can small moments in everyday classroom practice lead to meaningful improvements in pupil learning? 'AfL in Action: Practical Assessment for Learning for TAs' shows how teaching assistants can turn quick observations, thoughtful questioning and simple formative checks into powerful insights that shape next steps. Through clear explanations, practical examples and realistic classroom strategies, the course builds confidence in using ‘Assessment for Learning’ to notice how pupils think, respond to misconceptions and communicate evidence effectively. Designed for busy school settings, it empowers TAs to make AfL purposeful, manageable and impactful without adding unnecessary workload.
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Yiotina Achilleos-Dania, Saleena Sandhu & Carly Watkins

2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

understand the purpose and principles of Assessment for Learning (AfL) and how it shapes instruction, supports responsive teaching and improves pupil outcomes;
gather meaningful evidence of learning by observing pupils, using targeted questioning and implementing quick formative checks that reveal understanding and misconceptions;
analyse evidence to inform action, identifying individual or small-group needs and planning immediate next steps for the teacher or TA that feed directly into lesson planning;
communicate and model learning effectively, sharing AfL findings clearly with teachers and pupils, using simple language and metacognitive prompts to support self-assessment and goal-setting;
adapt and refine AfL practice, tailoring approaches for pupils with SEND and EAL learners, and reflecting weekly on impact to continually improve formative checks.

Course Lessons

Course Lessons

Written by: Yiotina Achilleos-Dania 

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Yiotina has spent over a decade immersed in the world of primary education. Most of her teaching career, she juggled the roles of Science and Maths subject leader, while working across key stage 1 and 2 (mainly based in years 2 and 6). Armed with degrees in Marketing Communications, Business Analysis and Primary Education (plus a National Qualification of Middle Leadership), she’s been at the forefront of introducing new initiatives, reshaping curricula and championing practical, hands-on learning to ensure every pupil thrives.

From training staff to supporting long-term skill progression, Yiotina has always been passionate about helping both pupils and teachers grow. Now, as a Twinkl CPD Content Writer and Editor, she’s swapped the classroom for the creative space of professional development, using her expertise to craft engaging, impactful resources that continue to support educators and learners.

Presented by: Saleena Sandhu 

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Saleena is a Video Content Creator on the CPD team at Twinkl. She has over 10 years of experience as a primary school teacher, having taught across the full primary range from EYFS to Year 6. Saleena has also supported and mentored trainee and early career teachers.

In collaboration with: Carly Watkins 

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Carly Watkins has over twenty years of experience as a primary school teacher, including several years as an assistant headteacher, with responsibility for whole-school curriculum development and overseeing pupil progress and attainment. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Education Practice and a NPQ in Leading Teacher Development.

Carly has been a mentor for both student and Early Career Teachers and currently facilitates the Early Career Framework for ECTs and their mentors, delivering training at conferences and via online seminars. At Twinkl PD, Carly heads up pedagogical professional development, a role which means she can support educators to develop their personal practice and pedagogy, something she is passionate about, on a national scale.