In recent years Ofsted have distanced themselves from advocating any specific teaching methodology they expect to see in lessons. However, in gathering evidence about teaching, inspectors will consider, among other things, the extent to which:

• “teachers present information clearly, promote appropriate discussion, check pupils’ understanding systematically, identify misunderstandings and adapt teaching as necessary to correct these.”
• “assessment is used to help pupils embed and use knowledge fluently, to check understanding and inform teaching, or to understand different starting points and gaps.” *

Effective questioning is implicit in all the above. To consolidate, extend and deepen pupils’ learning, as well as assess or even re-structure it, teachers must ask questions that stimulate thinking. The more effective our questions, and how we ask them, the better our pupils’ progress.

This course prompts teachers to reflect on existing practice and provides them with a range of practical ideas and techniques to enhance their own and colleagues’ questioning skills.

* Ofsted: State-funded School Inspection Toolkit (Sep 2025, p.21)

Who will benefit?

This course is suitable for teachers and school leaders from secondary, primary and FE colleges aiming to raise pupil achievement through effective questioning and dialogue.

This course seeks to help you

• Plan effectively for questioning
• Strengthen questions to encourage deeper thinking
• Differentiate questions to ensure all pupils are appropriately challenged
• Develop a more dialogic classroom
• Manage the classroom environment effectively to secure the impact of questioning on learning
• Confidently identify and develop aspects of questioning to improve your own classroom practice and that of others

Course Outline

1. The essential role of questioning to maximise learning, progress and achievement
2. How to improve the questions you ask
3. How to improve the questioning environment and encourage students to engage in dialogue and ask their own questions
4. How to monitor, evaluate and improve yours and others’ questioning skills

Presenter Profile

David Nicholls is an independent Consultant, with a wealth of experience as an AST, Subject Leader and Teaching & Learning Consultant for a LA. He has a proven track record of supporting teachers and senior leaders across the South West, delivering well-received training on a range of topics, running networks and working in schools with individual departments and classroom teachers. He is an experienced coach, who enjoys supporting teachers to develop their classroom practice, as well as middle and senior leaders to develop their leadership skills.

Cost: £150 per delegate; £50 each for subsequent delegates from same school

Booking Form

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