Teaching Assistant

Communication That Counts for TAs: Building Positive Relationships Across Roles

How confident do you feel communicating across multiple classrooms, with different teachers and a wide range of pupils each day? This course is designed to support teaching assistants in developing the communication skills needed to work effectively and professionally in dynamic school environments. You will explore how to build trust quickly, adapt to different communication styles and establish yourself as a proactive and reliable partner in the classroom. Through practical strategies and real-life examples, the course will help you learn how to ask clarifying questions with confidence, share observations about pupils sensitively and maintain professionalism during moments of challenge or uncertainty. By embedding small, purposeful communication habits into your daily practice, you will be better equipped to strengthen relationships with colleagues, support pupils more effectively and contribute positively to a collaborative school culture.
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Yiotina Achilleos-Dania,
Saleena Sandhu
 & Carly Watkins

2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

strengthen communication skills for working with multiple teachers, pupils and support staff;
learn how to build trust quickly when moving between classes or phases;
develop strategies for giving and receiving feedback constructively;
understand how to communicate professionally during moments of challenge or uncertainty;
build confidence in asking clarifying questions and sharing observations.

Course Lessons

Course Overview

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 courses 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 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.