Our November Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) Week focused on strengthening trainees’ understanding and application of meta cognition, retrieval practice and effective modelling. Across the week, our Secondary trainees engaged with research-informed training, observed expert practice in partner schools and applied new strategies in their own teaching. 

The week gave space and opportunity for our trainees to reflect on how deliberate planning can support pupils to think more deeply about their learning. Many highlighted how the week helped them move from using strategies occasionally to embedding them intentionally. 

Trainee Fatima shared how the training expanded her classroom practice, “I learnt new strategies that I can put in my toolkit to help me plan my future lessons to aid metacognition and retrieval practice.” Similarly, Reena noted a shift in her planning mindset: “I’m thinking much more about how to embed metacognitive strategies deliberately and into my planning.” Growing intentionality was a recurring theme, as trainees considered not just what they teach, but how pupils think while learning 

A key focus of the week was helping pupils articulate their thinking. Trainees practised questioning techniques and modelling strategies that make cognitive processes explicit. Trainee Cora reflected on how this has changed her classroom interactions - “I am questioning the students a lot more to understand how they got to their answer and make them voice their thought process.” Trainee Parvhjit highlighted how the week’s learning has helped her understand how she can use strategies to have an even more positive impact on pupil’s understanding: “I am taking my time to think through the task as if I were the student. This slows down my teacher talk and really helps me gauge the students’ understanding. When we do exam questions, I go through the structure slowly to ensure they can do it independently.” 

Trainee Jeff also described how structured metacognitive approaches are shaping his practice: “I have progressed throughout this week in terms of metacognition and retrieval practice… using think-aloud strategies, helping students plan, monitor and evaluate their progress and asking questions about their own learning.” 

Several trainees reflected on developing a clearer understanding of how retrieval practice, modelling, guided practice and independent practice work together to support self-regulated learners. Trainee Arzoo reflected on how her practice has evolved: “I now use retrieval practice not merely as an assessment tool, but as a powerful method to consolidate and deepen student learning. I actively model my thinking process aloud and create opportunities for meaningful discussion and evaluation against success criteria. This helps students build robust mental schemas and develop as independent learners.” 

Time spent in ITaP host schools was a highlight for many trainees, offering rich opportunities to observe expert teaching across a range of contexts. Trainee Priya said, “My experience at my ITaP host school was great. I was able to see a wide range of lessons which showed very effective retrieval practice and metacognition.” Trainee Razieh valued observing inclusive practice, “It was very good, especially observing a teacher work with SEND students and how she supported their learning while maintaining high expectations.”  

“The feedback I received from experienced teachers was invaluable, particularly in understanding how to integrate metacognitive strategies into everyday teaching practice.” Trainee Arzoo

Looking ahead 

The ITaP Week demonstrated the power of combining research-informed training, expert modelling and reflective practice. We are thrilled that Trainees left with increased confidence, sharper pedagogical understanding and a commitment to continuing their development. 

A thank you to our partner schools and mentors for providing such rich learning experiences, and to our trainees for engaging so thoughtfully with the process, a key part of their teacher raining year. We look forward to seeing these strategies being put into practice back at their placements schools and second school placements. 

Are you ready to make a lasting impact in the classroom? Visit our 'why train with Teach West London?' to find out more: https://teachwestlondon.org.uk/initial-teacher-training/why-train-with-teach-west-london