Course outline
Learn with a practical, hands-on curriculum
Research shows that effective assessment and feedback are some of the most powerful tools that teachers have. Learn how to embed low-stakes assessment for learning that really works, carry out meaningful summative assessment that helps you improve pupil outcomes, and master the core principles of purposeful and manageable feedback.
Class 1
Thursday 18 January
4pm to 5.30pm, on Zoom
The purpose and principles of effective assessment
You’ll learn about:
- The role assessment plays in teaching and learning
- How to use informal assessment at the start of lessons, to embed retrieval exercises and spaced practice
- How to use informal assessment during lessons, to support responsive teaching and create opportunities for pupil self-regulation
Class 2
Thursday 8 February
4pm to 5.30pm, on Zoom
Effective assessment in practice
You’ll learn how to:
- Design assessments and structure them over the academic year
- Use assessments to check knowledge recall and application
- Use your insights from assessments to refine and revise your curriculum
Class 3
Thursday 7 March
4pm to 5.30pm, on Zoom
The foundations of effective feedback
You’ll learn:
- Why feedback is important, and what effective feedback looks like
- How to do less marking, and more feedback (without adding to workload)
- How to prepare pupils to receive and act on feedback
- A variety of tried-and-tested feedback strategies, and how to apply them in your classroom
Class 4
Thursday 21 March
4pm to 5.30pm, on Zoom
Implementing effective feedback
You’ll:
- Hear examples and case studies of how schools deliver high-quality feedback to pupils
- Discuss different feedback approaches, and how they could work in your school
- Have time for any final questions and conversations
Your expert course trainer
Michael Chiles is vice-principal at Co-op Academy Belle Vue.
Michael is an experienced school leader and principal examiner. He has delivered training nationally and internationally to support teachers in their approaches to implementing effective assessment and feedback practices. He is also the author/co-author of two #1 bestselling books about assessment and feedback. You can find him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @m_chiles.
Michael has designed our course curriculum. He runs all the live classes, poses questions and activities for small-group discussions and sets gap tasks for you to complete independently.
Who can attend
This course is designed for secondary teachers of all experience levels, and senior or middle leaders looking to embed effective assessment and feedback at department or whole-school level.
This course is exclusively available to The Key's Whole School members. If you're not yet a Whole School member, find out more here.
More reasons to love this course
Active learning, not passive instruction
Your live classes won't just be lectures. Michael will engage the class, invite discussion, prompt breakout activities and leave plenty of room for Q&A. You'll learn by doing, with practical tasks between classes and regular feedback from Michael and your class colleagues.
Learn with a cohort of secondary peers
Learning virtually doesn't mean learning solo. This course is designed to be rich in energising interaction between you and your colleagues - it's your safe space to ask questions and seek peer feedback, and make connections for life.
Develop your own menu of practical strategies that work
Apply what you learn straight away, with practical strategies drawn from expert advice and excellent practice. Adopt the best of what works, for immediate change and lasting impact on assessment and feedback in your classroom.
Earn a certificate of achievement
Complete your classes and get a certificate of achievement from The Key for your learning record.
What others have said about our courses
"I've been a teacher for 8/9 years and this course felt very empowering"
"Good tips and strategies
that I can now use
in my own role"
"The tasks were very practical and a brilliant way to secure that knowledge"
Frequently asked questions
Live classes are held on Zoom, and you’ll collaborate on practical tasks with small groups of colleagues in breakout rooms. You’ll have practical tasks to complete independently between classes, and 24/7 access to your own online course community forum.
Ideally, yes! Working together with your colleagues is where much of the magic happens, and you’ll have opportunities to ask Michael questions directly. But we know that some school days run away, so you’ll be able to catch up on-demand if you have to miss a class. This course moves quickly, so we’ll let you know when the class recording is available.
Deeply practical tasks. They’ll help you put learning into practice immediately and get ahead on work you need to complete in your day-to-day role. You might work with colleagues on a task, and get supportive feedback.
Yes! This course was built for full-time school leaders and teachers. Michael will lead a 90-minute class every few weeks across the term, after school at 4pm. Outside of that, expect practical tasks to complete at any point ahead of the next class, and an on-tap peer community to engage with as you like. All your practical tasks will directly relate to your day job - they’ll never take you more than an hour.
Yes! You’ll get a certificate on completion of the course.
Just email any questions to cpd@thekeysupport.com. We’ll get back to you within 2 working days.
These courses are included as part of The Key's Whole School membership.