Teacher Standards

Supporting Pupils’ Executive Function Development in the Primary Classroom

Are you looking to better support your pupils' executive function development in the primary classroom? Learn evidence-informed and practical strategies to understand and implement executive function support, enhancing planning, organisation and emotional regulation in your pupils. Discover how to identify common classroom challenges and tailor support for pupils with SEND, EAL and social, emotional and behavioural needs. Improve pupil outcomes through effective executive function strategies.
Write your awesome label here.

Adam Barrett, Ruth Wallwork & Carly Watkins

2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

develop a clear understanding of executive functions and their role in learning and behaviour, including the key components and how they can affect pupils' ability to plan, organise, initiate tasks, manage emotions and monitor their own progress; 
learn to recognise common classroom challenges linked to underdeveloped executive function skills and how these may vary by age, context or additional needs;
investigate practical, evidence-informed strategies to support the development of executive function, such as explicit modelling, visual scaffolding, routines, structured reflection and metacognitive feedback;
understand how consistent structure, clear expectations and predictable transitions can help pupils manage tasks and attention and that creating classroom routines and structures strengthen executive function;
identify how to tailor executive function support for pupils with SEND, EAL or social, emotional and behavioural needs.

Course Lessons

Written by:
Adam Barrett

Empty space, drag to resize
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.

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 an 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.