Work Refusal CPD for TAs + Teams: Training Slides + Parent/Carer Letter

Teaching assistants are often the adults sitting closest to a pupil when they refuse work, and they usually get the least training on what to do about it. This short CPD session gives TAs and class teachers a shared, calm response they can use straight away.

What’s included:

• A short slide deck (about 12 slides) for a 20-30 minute session at a briefing, department meeting or TA training slot
• Speaker notes so a SENCO, behaviour lead or experienced TA can lead it with no preparation
• Practice scenarios from KS3, KS4 and post-16 lessons
• A one-page summary for staff to keep
• A letter template to share the approach with parents and carers so home and school use the same language

What staff learn:

• Why refusal happens and why pushing harder usually backfires
• What to say in the first 30 seconds
• How to offer a choice without “giving in”
• How to get back to learning and repair the relationship afterwards
• What to record and who to tell

Who it’s for: SENCOs and behaviour leads planning TA CPD, schools with new or supply TAs, special schools, resource bases and alternative provision.

I’m a teacher with 20+ years in education. In my experience, a team that responds the same way to refusal sees far less of it.

Pairs with the Work Refusal Flowchart + Staff Script Cards. Part of the Student Refusal Toolkit Bundle. Educational guidance only; follow your school’s behaviour and safeguarding policies.

Differentiation ideas: run the full session with new TAs, then use the practice scenarios alone as a five-minute refresher in later briefings. Swap in scenarios from your own setting so the examples feel real to your team.

Format and licence: PDF, prints clearly in black and white on A4. Single teacher licence; please buy an extra licence for colleagues. If something doesn’t work for your learners, leave a review or send me a message through Tes and I’ll look at updating it.