Level 3 TA Teaching Class

[bananacakerocks]

Hi, I just wondered if any of you could tell me whether it is OK for a Level 3 TA standing in for ill teacher? She is definitely Level 3 not a HLTA as it was on a letter sent home from school. Teacher is signed off sick until after Easter and so it is not just a one off but for the next 3 weeks. TIA

If it's an academy then any old person will do.

Actually I thought that now even LEA schools could employ staff without teaching qualifications.

It maybe worth finding out if the lessons are being planned by a qualified teachers and she is merely delivering them.

If this is the case, having someone who knows the children and they are familiar with may, in the short term, be better than bringing in a supply or a number of supply teachers who are unfamiliar with the class (and possibly the school).

In our LA Level 3 TAs can take the class 'for short term, unplanned absences'

Yes, they can cover classes no problem.
Chances are she will have been given the plan and either worked with another teacher to find resources or working from resources left by the teacher.

Will agree with the poster above, wonderful the children have somebody they know.

In my school the level 3 takes the class. They don't have HLTA accreditiation.

TBH I thought an HLTA was a level 3 it's just they have got signed off for the accreditation?

Is it legal? Probably yes. Whether it's desirable will depend on lots of other factors such as their qualifications, knowledge of the children, curriculum knowledge and how much support they are getting. I'm a qualified teacher but it's not always better to get a supply. Having said that three weeks is a long time. Perhaps ask to speak to the headteacher and see what reassurance they offer.

Oh I think I may see what's the confusion!

Level 3 TA is a course you can do (like nvq etc). In my LA a level 3 tA is the level at which you are employed and the job role - you may not have any actual qualifications in TA.

Eg level 1,2,3 and level 3 is same as HLTA in level and pay scale.

Level 1 can support 1:1 or small group under direction of teacher.

Level 2 as above as also takes larger groups and for whole periods of time away from teacher. (Eg wave 2 interventions outside of classroom)

Level 3 - takes class for periods of time and also is involved in planning and assessing children. Often they have a responsibility within the school.

When I did mine before PgCE so about 5 years ago now a HLTA was level 4, above the level 3 and had a completely different role.

The only ones allowed to teach in the absence of teacher was the HLTA, the work was prepared already and they could teach it, not just supervise.
level 3 could supervise work prep by the teacher, but not actually teach.

HLTA is level 4.
Level 3 is different. Different roles. Different pay to level 4.
I worked my way up and even though I was Level 3, I had to do a HLTA course which is level 4.