Grad2Teach | Phase 1 Training | Applied Teaching Practices
Phase 1 — Teachers’ Standards Term
Welcome! This term focuses on building your portfolio and deepening your understanding of the Teachers’ Standards. You will continue to work with your Professional Assessor. It is vital that you actively engage with, and reflect on, your PA’s feedback to further develop your teaching practice.
- Join the study groups (links on your Calendar) and complete any pre-reading or tasks the week before.
- After the study groups, complete your Independent Learning Journal (ILJ) reflecting on the two Teachers’ Standards discussed.
- Upload six Lesson Plans (LP1–6).
- Upload six Observing Colleagues (OC1–6), each with a specific Teachers’ Standards focus.
- Arrange an In-School Mentor observation each half term; one must be a joint observation with your Professional Assessor.
- After each observation, complete the Post-observation Reflection & Action Plan (RPA).
AOR Trainees: You will have four scheduled extra pastoral support sessions focused on building your portfolio of evidence, AOR applications, support for the assessment 12-week period, and any other issues raised via the Support Form.
The Teachers’ Standards link is in the Materials tab.
What to do & by when
Helpful reminders
- Use clear file names with your initials (e.g. AB LP3).
- Include the Teachers’ Standards focus for each Observation of Colleagues in the file name (e.g. AB OC2 TS7).
- Bring one practical question to every study group, based on a recent lesson.
Teacher Standards & Study Resources
Study Group 1: TS1 & TS8/Part 2 – Professional values, safeguarding & high expectations.
Professional Values & Safeguarding TS8 / Part 2
KCSIE (1 Sept 2025)
Core statutory guidance; read Part 1 in full and note setting-specific duties.
Good Practice in Safeguarding Children
Practical frameworks for effective child protection across education.
Contextual Safeguarding
Extra-familial risk & safeguarding systems beyond the classroom.
The Kidpower Book for Caring Adults
Communication & boundary-setting strategies for keeping children safe.
Child Protection & Safeguarding in Initial Teacher Education
How ITE programmes prepare trainees for safeguarding.
Helping teachers meet safeguarding responsibilities
Practical reminders and training pointers aligned to school duties.
The fear of physical touch: a new teacher’s nightmare
Nuanced discussion on safe professional conduct and managing boundaries.
Setting High Expectations TS1
13 Ways to Set High Expectations
Concrete strategies for ambitious, supportive classroom culture.
Great Teaching: The Power of Expectations
How clear, high expectations drive behaviour and learning.
Carol Dweck: Growth vs Fixed Mindset (summary)
Overview of mindset theory and implications for classroom expectations.
Relevant Policies
Observation Policy
Expectations for observations, feedback cycles and evidence capture.
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