To think Children in Year 4 and Year 5 should not have a Teacher in class only four days a week?

[Arachnophobe]

Is it reasonable that TA's should have to cover every Friday on a permanent basis?
Due to DS1s Teachers working four days a week it happened in year 4 and is happening again now in Year 5.
Disclaimer: I am not dissing TA's abilities in any way but shouldn't class sizes of 29 should have Teacher and TA and therefore shouldn't the school also arrange a supply Teacher for Fridays?
Friday is partially taken up with P.E and Assembly but I have written (nicely of course) to Head to find out what the situation actually is and what will happen in Year Six.
Am I being precious/over-the-top?

[Heavywheezing]

Your teacher is entitled to half a day of ppa, but I think the school think that they can get away with ta for half a day.

[Arachnophobe]

Thanks what's ppa please Heavywheezing?

[echt]

I'm horrified. if it's teacher and TA for four days, then it should be the same for the fifth. Challenge this.

Teacher is also mad for planning lessons they are not paid to teach

[HollyBerryBush]

TA or HiLTA?

[WorraLiberty]

Well I can totally see where you're coming from but...

It would depend really on how well qualified and experienced the TA is...and how able they are to follow the lesson plan left by the teacher.

It's not ideal and it's probably down to a cash flow problem - ie the Head not wanting to pay out £100+ for an agency teacher.

However, I strongly doubt it'll be the same in year 6 as that's the dreaded SATs year where the school will probably pull out all the stops.

In my personal experience (and as a school governor) I can honestly say I'd pick a well experienced/well qualified TA anyday...over a different agency teacher every week.

Sometimes continuity is better for the kids IYSWIM?

[Ambrosiacreamedrice]

DNiece's Year 4 class has a HLTA for over half of the week. Not ideal at all, but not breaking any rules.

[RainbowsFriend]

If you're horrified now, wait until they get to secondary when even long term absences are covered by Cover Supervisors (not teachers) - and sometimes a class will go from lesson to lesson covered by cover supervisors....

[HollyBerryBush]

HiLTAs are qualified to deliver lessons.

TBH if you are getting antsy about a LSA delivering lessons you are in for a big shock come secondary school and you have CS and FSS covering absent teachers.

[Dancergirl]

Sorry but YABU

Ive never heard of supply teachers teaching during PPA time. Schools just don't have the budgets for that. PPA is generally covered by TAs and/or 'floating' teachers. Some TAs are highly-qualified and fantastic, don't knock them. Just because they aren't qualified as a teacher won't have any long-term damage to your child's education.

[Ambrosiacreamedrice]

I was off work on Monday (secondary school teacher) and sent in detailed plans for the cover supervisor for each lesson. She then taught the same lesson to all 5 classes (she picked the one she liked the look of) regardless of their keystage/topic.

This is the sort of stuff that parents should get angry about.

[Arachnophobe]

Well I have written nicely just to find out what the situation actually is as I am just going on what I have found out from my Son - if it wasn't two years on the bounce I would have been none the wiser.
What is a HiLTA please HollyBerryBush?
I have just looked at the staff section on the School website and the LSA who takes the morning session is also the Inclusion Co-Ordinator. Afternoon Sessions are taken by the class LSA - whom My Son adores (she is utterly lovely, experienced and the Class respondswell to both from what I can get out of DS1).
I would hope the LSA's get paid accordingly and Teachers for their respective extra workload but am posting from a Parent POV.

[WorraLiberty]

There are far too many acronyms on this thread to make any sense.

We might as well be using text speak innit m8?

[storynanny]

PPA is planning, preparation and assessment- all teachers in state schools have a session , usually once a week for half a day and their class is covered by another teacher in the school, a supply teacher or in some cases teaching assistants or learning support assistants. I cover it quite often at my local schools where I am a supply teacher and the classes get the same lesson delivered by me as their own teacher has informed what needs teaching. I have witnessed some excellent sessions taken by assistants who know the children well and also some weak sessions , so I suppose it depends on the staffing at your particular school.

[storynanny]

Schools do have budgets to use for supply teachers.

[Arachnophobe]

Thanks for the information and I am not horrified Rainbows I just would like to understand and it's really interesting and educational boom boom reading Your replies on here - My fellow School Parents are probably not being subjective either so to Mumsnet for a reality check...

[Arachnophobe]

*objective - Back to school for me!

[storynanny]

Regarding the original post. Only qualified teachers are allowed to take PE sessions in state schools, not assistants or student teachers without teacher present.

[storynanny]

HLTA is a higher level teaching assistant who has undergone further training.

[Arachnophobe]

I didn't knock TA's Dancer Girl.

[Dancergirl]

Is that because of H&S or insurance storynanny?

[Arachnophobe]

The School P.E Teacher takes the actual P.E Lesson which is in the morning. Assembly is 2.30-3.05ish then School out at 3.15.