Research School Network: Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants Portsmouth Schools Only. Autumn Term – Dates to be confirmed

Overview
The recruitment of teaching assistants is becoming increasingly more difficult. It is therefore
vital that schools make the most effective use of the valuable resource that they do have.
This partnership training programme between HISP Research School and Portsmouth
Inclusion Outreach Service aims to:
• Enable schools to review and reform the deployment and preparation of teaching
assistants, based on the most recent research evidence
• Support schools in the opportunity to re-think/consider and address securing the best
value from Teaching Assistants helping make sure they can make a meaningful contribution
to teaching and learning
• Support schools to plan and deliver high quality training for teachers and TAs
• Model how the use of evidence can have a positive impact on leading change and school
improvement through a process of effective implementation executed in stages

Structure
• A six half-day modular training programme designed by the EEF and Research Schools
Network followed up by support from Portsmouth Inclusion Outreach Service through the
SENCO network
• A mix of online and face to face training
• Aiming to start in the second half of the Autumn Term 2022/23

Who should take part in this programme?
• Senior leaders and SENCos in primary, secondary and special schools. Attendees will need a
deep understanding of their organisation and the authority to afford change within it.
• Delegates need to fully commit to the programme. It is vital that delegates are allocated
with the necessary time, space and technology to attend all sessions (either remotely or face
to face), complete gap tasks and engage in programme evaluation.

Cost
• Depending on the numbers of schools involved it is likely that the maximum cost will be
£150 per school