Resources for trainee teachers

This section provides practical resources and information for trainee teachers working in all phases to support the development of expertise.

It contains a series of links and downloadable documents from organisations such as the Department for Education and from inside our Initial Teacher Education Partnership.

Resources are in the following key priority areas:

Partnership Office

Room A308 Checkland Building Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PH

General enquiries:

educationplacements@brighton.ac.uk

+44 (0)1273 643411

+44 (0)1273 642932

Partnership coordinator, deputy head of school (partnership and engagement) – Sarah Fitzjohn-Scott:

s.fitzjohn-scott@brighton.ac.uk

Safeguarding

Overview 

Safeguarding relates to the action taken to promote the welfare of children and learners and protect them from harm and is the responsibility of everyone who works with children and learners.

Safeguarding is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children (Gov.uk, 2018) as:

  • protecting children and learners from maltreatment
  • preventing impairment of children’s and learners’ health and development
  • ensuring that children and learners grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
  • taking action to enable all children and learners have the best outcomes.

Keeping Children Safe in Education (Department for Education, 2018) identifies the following safeguarding issues for those working in schools and other educational settings to be aware of:

Key contacts 

The University of Brighton ITE Partnership is committed to ensuring trainees are aware and able to act upon their safeguarding duties as members of school and setting communities. All staff have a responsibility to report their concerns if they believe a learner may be at risk. Within a school or setting this will normally be the safeguarding lead. In other instances the following key contacts can be used:

  • The University of Brighton ITT Partnership designated safeguarding lead is  Sarah Fitzjohn-Scott. Sarah can be contacted for matters related to University of Brighton trainees.
  • Local Authority Designated Officers (LADOs). LADOs have overall responsibility for the management of allegations of abuse against adults who work with children. Each local authority area has a designated lead whose contact details can be found through the Internet. For those in schools within the standard placement area the links are as follows:

Resources

Starting points

DfE – Keeping Child Safe in Education – this is statutory guidance from the Department of Education for schools and settings duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This guidance covers in early years, primary, secondary and further education schools and settings.

University of Brighton Online Safety Blog – a University of Brighton, School of Education online safety blog that provides practical resources and guidance to help keep children safe online. The blog offers a wide range of videos and activities to support primary and secondary teachers in this important area of safeguarding.

Channel – General Awareness Training – this is a free online training unit providing information on Channel and the Prevent Strategy and the duties and responsibilities of those who work in educational settings.

Home Office FGM Awareness Training – this is a free online training unit for professionals designed to provide an overview of female genital mutilation (FGM) awareness and their responsibilities in FGM cases. 

DfE – The Prevent Duty – this departmental advice from the Department for Education. This advice is non-statutory, and has been produced to help recipients understand the implications of the Prevent duty. 

DfE – Keeping children safe in education – statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children.

DfE – Promoting Fundamental British Values through SMSC – departmental advice on promoting basic important British values as part of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

DfE – Teaching approaches that help to build resilience to extremism among young people – this research report present finings into teaching methods that help to build resilience to extremism.

HM Government – PREVENT Duty Guidance for England and Wales – the PREVENT strategy forms part of the UK’s overall counter-terrorism strategy. The aim of this strategy is to reduce the threat to the UK from terrorism working at the pre-criminal stage by using early intervention to encourage individuals and communities to challenge extremist and terrorist ideology and behaviour. 

Pan Sussex Child Sexual Exploitation Campaign – Sussex Police in partnership with the Local Safeguarding Children's Boards, preventing and disrupting Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness (CSE) in Sussex.

UK Safer Internet Centre – E-Safety advice for teachers and professionals: This page provides advice on the role educators, social workers and other professionals working with children and young people play in supporting children to learn about how to stay safe online.

Developing expertise

HM Government – Educate against hate – this website gives  parents,  teachers and school leaders practical advice on protecting children from extremism and radicalisation.

DfE – Tackling extremism in the UK – report from the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Tackling Radicalisation and Extremism.

DfE – Working together to safeguard children – statutory advice on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

HM Government – Female Genital Mutilation Resource Pack – this resource has been developed to outline safeguarding responsibilities with the latest information on the mandatory reporting duty for professionals.

Kidsmart – Guidance for teachers – this page provides teachers of children between the ages of 3 and 11 with practical online safety advice, resources and lesson plans.

Partnership Educational Improvement Bulletins

Partnership Educational Improvement Bulletins 

These bulletins have been created in consultation with partnership senior leaders to prepare you for your NQT year and a career in teaching with up-to-date advice and guidance in key areas of practice.

Fundamental British Values and SMSC

Overview

As part of their duty to support pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development teachers are expected to actively promote fundamental British values. The following resources have been selected to support University of Brighton ITE Partnership trainees during both school-based and university-based training.

Starting points

DfE - Promoting fundamental British values as part of SMSC in schools – guidance for maintained schools regarding the requirements to actively promote British values in schools. 

United Nations - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights – sets out the fundamental human rights the UN seeks to promote and protect worldwide.

TES - Best reviewed British values resources – a collection of the best resources to support teachers in promoting British values in class. 

Developing expertise

Young Citizens - Dealing with controversial issues – guidance for teachers and schools on teaching about controversial issues. 

Go-givers - Lessons and resources – cross-curricular resources to support the teaching of PSHE and Citizenship, SMSC and fundamental British values.

Citizenship Foundation - Talking about values in the classroom – a professional development unit to introduce teachers to a method of working with stories that enables learners to develop skills in thinking and talking about moral issues. 

PACEY - Fundamental British Values in the Early Years – guidance for early years practitioners for the promotion of British values. 

Priorities for educational improvement

Managing behaviour and discipline

Starting points

DfE – Behaviour and Discipline in Schools (2016) – Department for Education advice for headteachers and school staff.

Eastbourne Partnership – Behaviour Key Principles Summary – guidance developed by colleagues at partner schools that presents exemplification of outstanding behaviour management in a mainstream classroom.

Developing expertise

Behaviour2Learn – this excellent website provides practical resources to support the development of positive behaviour in classrooms and schools.

Stonewall – Initial Teacher Training – this guide is designed to help all trainee teachers access information on how to prevent and tackle homophobic bullying.

Additional resources

All Party Parliamentary Group on Body Image – report about the effects of negative body image on boys and girls and the links to bullying in schools.

Bill Rogers – The establishment phase of the year – guidance on course practices and skills in establishing learning communities.

Department for Education (DfE) School Behaviour Advice and Guidance Section – this section contains advice and guidance for governing bodies, headteachers, school staff and parents, on behaviour and discipline in schools.

Stonewall – the School Report report of the findings of their research into homophobic bullying in schools.

English as an additional language (EAL)

Starting points

DfE – Developing Quality Tuition Effective practice in Schools – English as an Additional Language – this resource brings together research findings and effective practice from schools in what makes quality EAL tuition.

NALDIC – The Distinctiveness of EAL Pedagogy – this page summarises principles that underpin good practice for pupils learning EAL.

Eastbourne Partnership – EAL Key Principles Summary – guidance developed by colleagues at partner schools that presents exemplification of good practice in EAL:

Developing expertise

Aiming High: Meeting the Needs of Newly Arrived Learners of English as an Additional Language – materials developed for schools and teachers of newly arrived EAL learners.

DfE – EAL Resources – regarding the department’s strategy for supporting pupils with English as an additional language (EAL), including case studies and useful publications.

NALDIC – EAL Guidance Resources Library – EAL guidance to help with the teaching of EAL and bilingual learners from the National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum.

Additional resources

National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum (NALDIC) – home page of the national subject association for EAL. Provides links, resources and training for all practitioners working with EAL learners.

NALDIC – What does Ofsted define as Good Practice In EAL – advice on how Ofsted are assessing good practice in EAL teaching under the new inspection regime introduced in September 2012.

QCA – A language in common: Assessing English as an Additional Language – QCA document providing advice on assessing progress and attainment in English as an Additional Language.

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Starting points

Department for Education (DfE) Special Educational Needs Section – this section provides a wide range of information, advice and materials for teachers, parents and others caring for or working with disabled children and young people or those with SEN in England.

DfE – SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years – guidance on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0 to 25.

NASEN guide to the SEN Code of Practice for 0 to 25 years – National Association for SEN advice on the new Code of Practice to be implemented from September 2014.

Eastbourne Partnership – SEND Key Principles Summary – guidance developed by colleagues at partner schools that presents exemplification of good practice in SEND and also advice on strategies to support with specific learning needs.

Developing expertise

DfE – Advanced Training Materials – e-learning study units designed for those with a secure basic understanding of SEND to further develop their understanding of autism, dyslexia, speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) and moderate learning difficulties (MLD).

DfE – Training for Teaching SEND Students – training materials to support the continuing professional development of the teachers of learners with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties and disabilities.

Autism resources

Autism in the primary classroom – how to create autism friendly primary classrooms using strategies that help all pupils by David Burns.

Autism in the secondary classroom – how to create autism friendly secondary classrooms using strategies that help all pupils by David Burns.

Autism Education Trust – resources for teachers.

Autism Competency Framework – an autism competency framework for people working with pupils from ages 5-16 from the Autism Education Trust.

Dyslexia

British Dyslexia Association – information for educators on identification and how to support learners with dyslexia.

Teaching for Neurodiversity Webinars – training and information about dyslexia and other SpLDs for teachers and support staff, dyslexic individuals and their families (BDA, Dyspraxia Foundation, Dyslexia Action, Helen Arkell, MMU and PATOSS). British Dyslexia Association YouTube – a series of teaching videos. BDA New Technologies Committee – for information about the use of IT in education.

Mental health

Nip in the Bud – a series of short films and information explaining ADHD, anxiety, conduct disorders, depression, OCD and PTSD in children.

Schools Wellbeing Service Report - a look at health and wellbeing in Brighton and Hove Secondary schools.

EMHWB Evaluation Summary - whole school approach to improving emotional, mental health and wellbeing (EMHWB) in Brighton and Hove Secondary schools.

Behaviour Regulation Policy Guidance - guidance for Brighton and Hove schools 2018.

Speech, language and communication needs

The Communication Trust – initial teacher education resources.

DLD presentation - information about Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)

Additional resources

Gov.uk guide for children with Special Educational Needs – overview of entitlements due for pupils with SEND.

National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) – homepage of Nasen the leading organisation in the UK promoting the education, training, advancement and development of all those with special and additional support needs.

Parliament website section on SEND – provides links on the parliamentary business related to SEND.

DfE/DoH – Draft Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice – statutory guidance for organisations who work with and support children and young people with SEN.

Regional Participation Framework for Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities

Joseph Rowntree Foundation report – exploring the links between special educational needs and disability (SEND) and poverty.

SEND Guide summary - Brighton and Hove Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Guide for Professionals

Supporting underperforming groups of pupils

Starting points

Ofsted – Unseen Children Report This report presents the results of year-long review by Ofsted into current patterns of disadvantage and educational success across England, to learn the lessons of recent policy initiatives.  

DfE – Pupil Premium Raising the achievement of disadvantage children – overview of policy and initiatives to raise achievement of all pupils.

Education Endowment Fund – Teaching and learning Toolkit – designed to support teachers to make their own informed choices and adopt a more ‘evidence based’ approach to tackling educational underachievement.

Developing expertise

DfE – Improving the outcomes for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils – final report: 2010 report focused on issues faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils and what can be done to improve educational outcomes for this group.

Additional resources

The Sutton Trust – The Sutton Trust works to combat educational inequality and this website contains research findings, useful links and resources to support those working in education.

National Education Trust – Independent foundation leading excellent practice and innovation – the National Education Trust aims to close the ‘achievement gap’. This website contains information on policy developments, advice on school improvement and contains advice on good practice.

Challenging bullying

Starting points

DfE – Preventing and tackling bullying – advice for school staff and school leaders on preventing and responding to bullying as part of their overall behaviour policy.

Kidscape – advice for professionals on racist bullying.

Stonewall – Tackling Homophobic Language – a guide for teachers to understand the use of and challenge homophobic language.

Developing expertise

Ofsted – No Place for Bullying – this report from June 2012 focuses on how schools can create a positive culture to prevent and tackle bullying.

NSPCC – resources, training and guidance for teachers and schools to prevent and respond to bullying.

Stonewall Education guides – Stonewall has produced a series of practical guides for primary and secondary schools with good practice case studies and tips on a range of issues.

Teachers Media – Videos Exploring Bullying from the Teachers TV Archive – teachers TV programmes to support your work in challenging bullying.

Making accurate and productive use of assessment

Starting points

DfE – National Curriculum in England: framework for key stages 1 to 4 – the full national curriculum framework for key stages 1 to 4, including programmes of study and attainment targets.

Dylan Wiliam – Website – website of emeritus professor of educational assessment, University College London with papers, resources and podcasts to support effective use of formative assessment. 

Isaacs, Zara and Herbert – Key Concepts in Assessment – a summary of the key concepts of reliability, validity, norm-referencing and criteria-referencing.

TES Resources – Assessment – access to over 3000 resources made by teachers for the effective use of assessment.

Developing expertise

NFER – Centre for Assessment – recent publications from the National Foundation for Educational Research.

Sutton Trust – What makes great teaching? – review of research underpinning great teaching and better learning.

TTRB – Differentiation guidance for inclusive teaching – research and evidence digest concerned with effective differentiation.

 Refugee Education 

Developing expertise

NUT – refugee teaching resources

Schools of Sanctuary

Additional resources

Migrant Help – anti-slavery lesson plans for schools

Amnesty website - Primary resources and Secondary/FE resources

Literacy and numeracy

General literacy resources

TES – Practical Strategies to improve literacy – guidance covering learners from all phases (log-in required to access).

DfE – National Curriculum in England language and literacy guidance – this statement outlines the responsibilities for teachers working with pupils between key stage 1 and key stage 4.

UKLA – United Kingdom Literacy Association – the United Kingdom Literacy Association aims to support and inform all those concerned with the development of language, literacy and communication, encourage them in reflection and dialogue, challenge them in their practice and give public voice to their concerns. This page contains research, resources and links to continuing professional development opportunities.

National Literacy Trust – the National Literacy Trust work to improve the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK's most disadvantaged communities. This page contains information on projects, policy and research.

NATE – National Association for the Teaching of English – NATE work to improve the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in the UK's most disadvantaged communities. This page contains information on events, continuing professional development and key resources. 

General numeracy resources

DfE – National Curriculum in England numeracy and mathematics guidance – this statement sets out the duties for teachers working with pupils between key stage 1 and key stage 4.

Education Scotland – Numeracy across learning – contains key principles and support materials to aid learners’ development of mathematical skills.

Nrich – a site comprising rich activity ideas, interactive resources, student/children’s solutions and an excellent range of mathematical education articles for practitioners.

NCETM – National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics. A rich source of additional policy guidance to complement the National Curriculum for mathematics. Also a source of CPD materials including videos.  

Motivate – this site has a range of ideas and projects together with some links to other sites. Most of the activities are for KS3 or KS4.

Early years and primary specific resources

CLPE – Centre for Language in Primary Education – the CLPE is an independent charity promoting high standards in the teaching of literacy. The site contains resources and professional development advice.

Foundation Years – supporting those who work with children from ages 0 to 5 this website contains resources, advice and news updates.

National Writing Project – the National Writing Project UK is a not-for-profit group and research project designed to support teachers to explore writing and the writing process.

Just Imagine – established by former teacher, university lecturer and writer, Nikki Gamble, Just Imagine works extensively with schools in the UK and internationally to develop outstanding reading and writing schools, where stories and  literature are placed firmly at the heart of learning.

Secondary specific resources

Ofsted – Improving literacy in secondary schools: a shared responsibility – Ofsted survey report examining what works best in secondary schools to improve literacy across the curriculum.

Further education and training resources

Embedding Numeracy – FET Partnership advice on embedding numeracy in your practice (Word Doc).

Embedding Literacy – FET Partnership advice on embedding literacy through speaking and listening, reading and writing (PDF).

English and Maths Skills – FET Partnership summary of key skills related to English and maths (Word Doc).

Games to help learners remember vocabulary – FET Partnership advice.

Encouraging Reading – FET Partnership advice for DARTS (Directed Activity Related to Text).

Literacy Curriculum Overview – adult literacy core curriculum advice (PDF).

Numeracy Curriculum Overview – adult numeracy core curriculum advice (PDF).

NIACE Briefing – embedding and Integrating Literacy, Language or Numeracy in other Subjects and Programmes: Advice on the promotion of and development of literacy, language and numerical skills for adult learners (PDF).

National Research and Development Centre – Does Numeracy Matter More – major research report into the long-term impact of poor levels of numeracy (PDF).

National Research and Development Centre – New Light on Literacy and Numeracy – research report looking at ways of supporting low levels of literacy and numeracy in a sizeable minority of the population (PDF).

PGCE FET – Reading and Writing Checklist – checklist to support learners' reading and writing (Word Doc).

PGCE FET – Supporting English and Maths through Subject Teaching – tasks to support the development of literacy and numeracy across the curriculum (Word Doc).

PSHE and Citizenship

Starting points 

Citizenship National Curriculum Key Stages 1 and 2 – the statutory programme of study and attainment targets for key stage 1 and 2 citizenship.

DfE PSHE Guidance – Department for Education guidance for school leaders and staff.

PSHE Association – website of the national association for PSHE education professionals with support, resources, training and guidance.

Citizenship Association – website for the Association for Citizenship Teaching with resources, research and training.

Developing expertise 

BBC Bitesize KS1 PSHE and Citizenship – clips and resources supporting key stage 1 pupils.

TES.com PSHE, Citizenship and SMSC Lessons and Teaching Resources – over 500 resources covering all aspects of the PSHE and Citizenship curriculum.