Teaching Assistant

From Support to Scaffold: Developing Independent Learners

Do you want to empower your pupils to become resilient, independent learners? This essential course provides teaching assistants with the practical strategies and deep understanding needed to foster autonomy in your pupils. The course will guide you through the theory and practical approaches behind self-regulated learning, metacognition and fading support to overcome the risks of over-scaffolding. It also offers strategies to tailor support for pupils with SEND and EAL learners.
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Adam Barrett, Ruth Wallwork & Carly Watkins

2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

recognise the risks of over‑scaffolding and learnt helplessness in high‑support contexts;
promote pupil agency by using graduated prompts and fading support;
model metacognitive language to make thinking visible;
teach explicit self‑regulation strategies (planning, monitoring, reflection);
encourage resilience through growth‑mindset feedback and manageable challenge.

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: Ruth Wallwork

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Ruth is a Video Content Creator on the CPD team at Twinkl. She is an experienced primary teacher, having taught across both Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. Ruth has worked as part of a music partnership, delivering high quality music lessons in a range of educational settings, including SEND and secondary schools. Ruth has also held leadership roles, including Head of Primary Music. She holds a degree in Music and Musical Theatre, a PGCE in Primary Education, and is currently working towards a qualification in Primary Music Leadership.

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.