Assessment for Learning
Week 1 –What Assessment for Learning Really Looks Like in Practice
Assessment for Learning isn't about adding more tests or creating additional workload—it's about continually noticing what pupils understand and using that information to shape what happens next. Effective AfL is woven into everyday teaching through questioning, observation, discussion and responsive feedback. In this session, we'll explore what meaningful AfL looks like in practice and how small, purposeful checks for understanding can help teachers identify misconceptions, adapt teaching and move learning forward.
Week 2 – Effective Questioning Techniques
Effective questioning is one of the most powerful tools teachers have for uncovering what pupils really know and understand. The right questions can reveal misconceptions, deepen thinking and ensure that every pupil is actively engaged in learning. In this session, we'll explore practical questioning techniques that move beyond simply checking for correct answers, helping teachers gather meaningful information and use pupils' responses to decide what happens next.
Week 3 – Formative Assessment Strategies
Effective formative assessment gives teachers a window into pupils’ thinking, helping them identify what has been understood and where further support is needed. Simple strategies such as mini-whiteboards, exit tickets and low-stakes quizzing can provide valuable information without adding unnecessary workload. In this session, we'll explore practical ways to gather evidence from the whole class and, crucially, use it to adapt teaching and move learning forward.
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Week 5 – Pupils as partners in assessment (self & peer)
Assessment becomes even more powerful when pupils are active participants rather than simply recipients of feedback. Effective self and peer assessment helps pupils understand what successful learning looks like, recognise their own strengths and identify meaningful next steps. In this session, we'll explore practical strategies for developing pupils' ability to reflect on their own and others' learning, encouraging greater independence, responsibility and ownership of progress.
Week 6 – Reducing marking workload while keeping impact
Effective feedback doesn't have to mean hours spent writing comments in pupils' books. What matters most is whether feedback helps pupils recognise misconceptions, understand their next steps and improve their learning. In this session, we'll explore practical, evidence-informed approaches to feedback and marking that reduce unnecessary workload while maintaining impact, helping teachers focus their time on the actions that make the greatest difference to pupils' learning.