New TA CPD Pathway - fully-funded and remotely accessible!

Teaching assistants (TAs) comprise over a quarter of the workforce in mainstream schools in England. The growth in the numbers of teaching assistants has also been driven by greater inclusion of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools, with teaching assistants often providing the key means by which inclusion is facilitated.   

Teaching assistants play a vital role in helping teachers create inclusive and effective learning environments for children and young people, addressing the shared Norfolk priorities:  

1. Supporting high quality teaching and learning to improve attainment  
2. Improving SEND and inclusion provision  
3. Identification and responding to social, emotional and mental health needs  
4. Increasing confidence to effectively address behaviours that challenge.  
5. Improving attendance  

The TA CPD pathway provides a recommended approach for teaching assistants that aim to enhance their skills and knowledge in various aspects of their role. These courses are designed to complement the existing induction and mentoring programs that schools and trusts may offer to their teaching assistants to develop their professional practice and career progression and meet the needs of their school community so that all children and young people in Norfolk can Flourish.   

Wherever possible, the TA CPD pathway content is fully funded and remotely accessible, enabling flexible approaches to accessing so you can support with independent and group CPD approaches in way that meets your bespoke school or setting needs. This may include:  

• Independent self-directed CPD time including assemblies, tutor time etc.  
• Whole team CPD as part of an inset session/ day  

We recommend that where CPD is accessed independently, provision is made within the school to reflect upon and embed the learning. This may include:   

• Teaching assistant collaboration on approaches to putting the learning into practice  
• Supervision sessions   
• Department planning      

You can access the TA CPD Pathway and further guidance on how to contextualise and use this effectively here.