TEACHER STANDARDS

Encouraging Independence Through Metacognition: TA Approaches

Do you want to improve your practice and unlock greater pupil independence?

This course is designed to transform your support from simply ‘helping’ to ‘effectively supporting’ pupil thinking. Based on high-impact, evidence-based strategies, this course will guide you through the theory and practical application of metacognition to foster genuine learner autonomy. This essential training helps TAs reduce over-reliance on adult support and builds crucial skills in problem-solving and resilience in pupils.
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Adam Barrett, Fiona Roberts & Carly Watkins

2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

understand what metacognition is and how it supports independence;
recognise the stages of metacognition (planning, monitoring, evaluating) in pupil learning;
model simple metacognitive prompts and ‘thinking aloud’ to make strategies visible;
encourage pupils to plan tasks, set goals and activate prior knowledge;
guide pupils to evaluate outcomes and reflect on strategies used.

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 an MA in English literature.

Presented by: Fiona Roberts

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Fiona Roberts is a video content creator for the Twinkl CPD team. She has over 10 years experience as a primary school teacher and private tutor. Before completing her PGDE, Fiona also achieved an MA(Hons) in Film and Television Studies. She has previously supported the development of her school’s English curriculum and is particularly passionate about this subject. Fiona has also thoroughly enjoyed acting as a mentor to trainee teachers and early career teachers during her time in the classroom.

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 an 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.