TAs

Calm Classrooms: Trauma‑Informed Practice for Support Staff

Do you want to improve your understanding of challenging behaviour and create a truly inclusive, safe space for every pupil? ‘Calm Classrooms: Trauma-Informed Practice for Support Staff’ is designed for all teaching assistants (TAs). This training moves beyond traditional behaviour management, equipping you with the vital skills to confidently identify and respond to the signs of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). You will learn to use trauma-informed language, implement safe de-escalation strategies and adapt the classroom environment to reduce triggers. By prioritising safety, dignity and a focus on underlying needs, you can transform pupil outcomes and protect your own professional wellbeing.
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Adam Barrett, Jess Hursit & Carly Watkins

2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

recognise behavioural, emotional and physiological signs of trauma;
respond with safety, dignity and proportionate de‑escalation;
use trauma‑informed language that prioritises understanding over blame;
adapt the environment to reduce triggers and sensory overload;
protect personal wellbeing through supervision and reflective practice.

Course Lessons

Written by: Adam Barrett 

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Adam Barrett is an experienced teacher, academic and SENDCo. He has previously specialised in behaviour management, leading and reforming approaches to behaviour management in primary schools with the aim of creating inclusive environments for all. As well as a PGCE, Adam has an undergraduate degree in history and a MA in English literature.

Presented by: Jess Hursit

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Jess Hursit is an experienced teacher with a strong background in maths education. As a former maths lead, she worked closely with Maths Hubs and supported the development of her school’s maths curriculum. Jess has worked in a leading training school, where her teaching was regularly observed by visiting educators, and she served as a mentor to trainee teachers and early career teachers.

In collaboration with: Carly Watkins

Carly is the Quality of Education Lead at Twinkl PD, overseeing the development of Teachers' Standards courses. She is an experienced primary school teacher and senior leader with a MA in Education Practice and NPQ in Leading Teacher Development. Carly also facilitates the ECF, delivering training for current mentors and ECTs; she is passionate about accessible and actionable professional development for all educators at all levels.