Teaching Assistant

Supporting the Room: Practical Approaches for TAs During Whole‑Class Teaching

How can teaching assistants make the biggest difference during whole-class teaching without interrupting learning or reducing pupil independence? This course explores how TAs can purposefully support the room through strategic positioning, thoughtful roving and practical actions that reinforce lesson objectives while easing teacher workload. Grounded in evidence-informed practice and real classroom routines, it helps you understand when to step in, when to step back and how to adapt your support for different phases and pupil needs. Throughout the course, you will reflect on your deployment, avoid common pitfalls and build confidence in providing subtle, flexible support that improves engagement, maintains flow and strengthens learning for all pupils.
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Yiotina Achilleos-Dania,
Ruth Wallwork
& Carly Watkins


2 hours

Online Course

By completing this course, you will:

understand the different roles TAs can play during whole-class delivery and how these support lesson objectives and classroom flow;
use effective, evidence-informed strategies for roving the room to check understanding, maintain engagement and respond flexibly to pupil needs;
apply practical approaches to managing administrative and in-lesson tasks that reduce teacher workload without disrupting learning;
balance visibility, flexibility and impact during whole-class teaching to ensure support is purposeful rather than passive;
reflect on your own deployment and plan next steps to maximise your effectiveness during whole-class instruction.

Course Lessons

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: 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 1 and key stage 2. 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

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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.