Development Resources
NAPTA provides a number of carefully compiled resources, designed to help schools meet the needs highlighted in the detailed reports, addressing individual development needs, offering institutional guidance, and acting as sources of reference or self-study. The material is provided in convenient digital formats online, accessible using standard Web browsers.
Meeting Individual Needs
This section provides detailed, structured, prepared resources, closely mapped to the National Occupational Standards for Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, to be used in brief, efficient group training sessions. The contents of each session are designed to be supportive enough to enable effective internal delivery by a team leader.
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Institutional Guidance
Most schools struggle to implement all the mandatory management processes that are now expected in the context of single status for all support staff. The following resources are offered to make implementation much easier.
CPD Portfolio Builder
This resource provides a wealth of materials to help support staff plan, structure and take forward their own professional development, as well as detailed, practical guidance for those managing them. Schools may find that the principles outlined can be applied more broadly.
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Observation form
Teaching and learning support staff (who work in the classroom) may be observed in their role as part of the performance management process, or for professional development. A sample classroom observation form, which can be adapted for use in your school, is provided.
Support staff competence checklists
NAPTA’s Support Staff Survey provides analysis of the roles of support staff and their level of confidence for each of the 44 units of the Level 2 Support Work in Schools qualification (SWiS). Schools may like to consider in more detail staff confidence in the SWiS units that relate directly to their role. A series of competence checklists are provided to help with this.
Team Leaders’ Toolkit
This is a professional development tool for team leaders of support staff in schools. The resource may be of benefit both to those who already have responsibility for support staff, and to those who aspire to such a position.
Video resources
Links to a selection of online films relating to issues that affect school support staff.
Curriculum Support
Cover Lessons Resources (secondary/special)
These subject- and key stage-specific materials form a varied and valuable source of ideas and activities for staff working with groups or whole classes. A number of activities are provided, each designed to be used with limited support and during a single lesson.
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Flying Start (secondary/special)
This resource covers the key academic, personal and social issues that pupils must address if they are to progress successfully and become better independent learners. It is suitable for any support staff who deal with teaching and learning, and particularly with gifted and talented pupils.
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ICT Skills Resources
This resource provides the solution for developing personal competence and
confidence in using ICT.
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Marking guide
With support staff taking increasing responsibility for pupils’ learning,
it is important that they are able to contribute to appropriate marking and
assessment. This portable document format (PDF) file offers essential
guidance and carefully structured activities to help schools and their staff
achieve this.
Maths & English Resources (secondary/special)
This resource offers a wide-ranging set of material to help students with Maths and English at KS3 and GCSE.
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Primary Resources (primary/special schools)
This rich, versatile set of digital publications provides support staff with a vast bank of over 3600 pages of pupil-centred materials covering a wide range of subjects.
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SEN Reference
This gives support staff easy access to further information about the different needs of pupils that they work and communicate with, plus practical examples of how simple technology can help pupils with particular needs.
See the demo version
Video resources
Links to a selection of online films that relate to providing curriculum support.
