Describe the Differing Roles of Teaching Assistants. Compare the Similarities and Differences in Different Teaching Assistant’s Jobs, and Consider the Personal Qualities and Skills Needed by These Professionals.
‘Well trained Teaching Assistants are a key resource and are used very effectively in many (primary) schools.’
OFSTEDs Review of Primary Education 1994 – 1998 (1999)
Teaching Assistants (TAs) have an essential role to play in the smooth and effective running of a school. They are an extra pair of eyes, ears and hands for the teacher and give support to the structure of the school.
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(Teaching Assistant’s Pocketbook. Dot Constable. 2005)
Teaching Assistants work in Primary, Secondary and Special Needs Schools. Individual duties and responsibilities can vary greatly but will be outlined in their job description. A TAs role is to support – this can be in a classroom situation, with groups or individual pupils and can often be all three.
Support in the classroom (Classroom Assistant) involves more general duties helping the teacher with tasks in the classroom and pupils learning and development. TAs can be assigned to children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who will benefit from help on a one to one basis or in smaller groups. Responsibilities can be as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting children with learning difficulties or as a Personal Care Assistant those needing help with day to day personal care.
In 2003, the National Workforce agreement was established which acknowledged the need to raise standards in schools and address workloads. From this Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) evolved. This higher level status gave additional responsibilities that previously only teachers could do, for example, developing support materials and assisting in lesson planning. Some schools, especially large or special needs schools, have TAs with additional, more specific roles. This ensures that all pupils and members of the team are supported adequately.
Although there are many different roles a TA can have there are fundamental aspects of the job which will be the same. These can be categorised into four areas.
1.
OFSTEDs Review of Primary Education 1994 – 1998 (1999)
Teaching Assistants (TAs) have an essential role to play in the smooth and effective running of a school. They are an extra pair of eyes, ears and hands for the teacher and give support to the structure of the school.
[pic]
(Teaching Assistant’s Pocketbook. Dot Constable. 2005)
Teaching Assistants work in Primary, Secondary and Special Needs Schools. Individual duties and responsibilities can vary greatly but will be outlined in their job description. A TAs role is to support – this can be in a classroom situation, with groups or individual pupils and can often be all three.
Support in the classroom (Classroom Assistant) involves more general duties helping the teacher with tasks in the classroom and pupils learning and development. TAs can be assigned to children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who will benefit from help on a one to one basis or in smaller groups. Responsibilities can be as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting children with learning difficulties or as a Personal Care Assistant those needing help with day to day personal care.
In 2003, the National Workforce agreement was established which acknowledged the need to raise standards in schools and address workloads. From this Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) evolved. This higher level status gave additional responsibilities that previously only teachers could do, for example, developing support materials and assisting in lesson planning. Some schools, especially large or special needs schools, have TAs with additional, more specific roles. This ensures that all pupils and members of the team are supported adequately.
Although there are many different roles a TA can have there are fundamental aspects of the job which will be the same. These can be categorised into four areas.
1.
Bibliography: Teaching Assistant’s Handbook - Teena Kamen (2003) Teaching Assistant’s Pocketbook - Dot Constable (2005) How to Survive and Succeed as a Teaching Assistant - Veronica Birkett (2002) www.wikipedia.org - Online Encyclopedia www.vnc.org