This course provides everything that teaching assistants need for supporting learning in English in years 1 and 2.

This course provides everything that teaching assistants need for supporting learning in English in years 1 and 2. You will get an overview of progression in skills for both reading and writing and be provided with a range of effective teaching strategies to support learning. All our training is based on research-based best practice and promotes the application of grammar through meaningful contexts for writing.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Module 1: Reading - Welcome to the course

    • Introduction

    • Resources
  • 2

    Module 1: What to teach and when to teach it

    • Reading in the National Curriculum

    • Pairing the children
  • 3

    Module 1: Phonics

    • An introduction to phonics

    • Precise pronunciation

    • Phases 2-4

    • Phase 5

    • Phonics screening check
  • 4

    Module 1: Comprehension

    • Year 2

    • Varying question types

    • What is a decodable book?
  • 5

    Module 1: Grouped reading

    • A grouped session

    • Follow up activities
  • 6

    Module 1: Conclusion

    • Review and reflect

    • Module 1: Evaluation
  • 7

    Module 2: Writing - Welcome to the course

    • Introduction

    • Reflecting on practice

    • Reflecting on your role
  • 8

    Module 2: Developing memory skills

    • Attention and listening

    • Auditory memory

    • Visual memory
  • 9

    Module 2: A focus on grammar skills

    • Progress in grammar skills

    • Oral rehearsal

    • How to form a sentence

    • Word classes

    • Coordinating conjunctions and compound sentences

    • Subordinating conjunctions

    • Making compound sentences from nursery rhymes
  • 10

    Module 2: Guided writing

  • 11

    Module 2: Other areas for attention

    • Punctuation

    • Adding detail

    • Tense
  • 12

    Module 2: Conclusion

    • Review and evaluate

    • Module 2: Evaluation

What to expect

  • Reading

    Your course instructor will take you through expectations for the reading curriculum for years 1 and 2. There is a brief overview of how phonics should support decoding and a focus on developing pupils’ reading comprehension skills effectively though questioning. There is also clear advice on how to run an effective grouped reading session for pupils.

  • Writing

    Your course instructor will provide practical strategies for supporting pupils in the development of memory strategies, sentence structure and other grammar skills relevant to the curriculum in years 1 and 2. There is also advice on planning for and running a guided writing session and a demonstration of how to carry this out effectively with a group of pupils.

Year 1 Teaching Assistant

“It was great to gain planning ideas and activities for the children.”

Year 1 Class Teacher

“Lots of creative ideas for including the key skills for Y1.”

Sample: Module 2 - Guided Writing

When is a guided write appropriate?

FAQ

  • Does the course cover phonics?

    The course gives a brief overview of how phonics is used for effective word reading but does not cover the teaching of phonics in detail as current recommendations from the DfE are that schools purchase an accredited systematic synthetic phonics programme which provides access to training.

  • What resources are included?

    There is a sample of a blank planning frame for guided reading sessions, suggested question stems suitable for KS1 pupils and resources outlining appropriate activities to support pupils in developing their reading comprehension strategies. All resources can be downloaded for use in the classroom.

  • Do I get a certificate?

    Yes – you will receive a certificate on completion of the training which can be downloaded for your records.

  • How long is the course?

    The running time for the sessions is approximately 2 hours but the course will take longer to complete depending on how long you spend on the activities. We would suggest setting aside at least 2.5 hours to complete the course.

  • Do I have to watch the course all in one go?

    No – the online learning platform will save your progress through the course, so you can split the course into manageable chunks and return to the training as many times as you like at times that suit you best.

  • For how long do I have access to the course?

    You will have access to the course for 100 days so you can revisit the training as many times as you like during that period.