Is this normal practice - re. TA left in sole charge of class for 2 hours

[teachingassistant1]

Have been working as a TA (through an agency) for almost 4 weeks - I am working at a school near where I live until the end of term.

This afternoon the class teacher left me in charge of the class while she and other teachers went to do maths moderation. They (the class) were watching a film. I was on my own with them (28 year 4 kids) for 2 hours.

My teacher friend reckons this was not fair on me (or any TA in that situation)?

What do you think?

Thanks!

[OldRoan]

No. That wouldn't happen in my school and it doesn't sound right, especially with a supply TA.

Presumably this was a planned moderation, rather than an emergency where cover cannot be sorted any quicker?

Were they supposed to be watching a film anyway? Or was the film provided as a filler activity because the teacher was out of class?

[teachingassistant1]

No not an emergency moderation. I think they always put on a film when there are moderation meetings.

[SisterMoonshine]

Golden time seems to be non contact time at DD's school and the TA is left in sole charge. I don't know if Golden time is quite 2 hours though.
You did well to keep them watching a 2 hour film.

[wheresthelight]

If you are fully qualified then I don't see the issue. You weren't being asked to teach just to supervise.

As an a level student I was often asked to supervise younger years when In high school if teachers were needed elsewhere and as a student teacher I was left in sole charge from day 1 and many of my contemporaries had less experience than a qualified ta.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

I'm a TA, I'd be unhappy about being in sole charge, what about accidents or needing support within those two hours , what was the plan if you needed assistence?

I run the class when my class teacher is away, I have another TA with me and planning is always sorted.

[Fourarmsv2]

Hmmmm, whereabouts in the country are you. DS2 mentioned this happened to him today!

Any of these letters look familiar? J Q F C?

[teachingassistant1]

No not familiar fourarms - London.

[bobajob]

Usual where I am for KS2 (EYFS/KS1 would be two TAs), though probably not an agency TA.

[AdventureBe]

This is very common IME.

TAs do all the PPA cover and covering for meetings, plus a lot of sickness cover at our school

[teachingassistant1]

Teacher told me where she would be if I needed her but I suppose I would have had to have sent a child to get her if necessary as I could not leave the class.

I am qualified but only took small groups out on my course. Have no experience of controlling a class on my own. The first half was ok the second not so much. Am going to have flashbacks.

[PtolemysNeedle]

I'm a TA and have charge of my class regularly. There's almost always another TA there though.

From talking to other TAs on courses and the like, I'm not alone. I've thought before that parents would be shocked at how much teaching and supervising is done by TAs.

[cariadlet]

Our TA3s are sometimes asked to cover a class. It sounds very odd to ask a supply TA to do it.

I'm also not impressed with a class wasting 2 hours watching a film or with teachers moderating when they should be teaching. I moderate with my colleagues at lunchtime, after school or in our PPA time.

[StillStayingClassySanDiego]

*assistance, I can spell, honest guv!

[Teacherinatutu]

Totally normal round here!

[PurpleSwift]

That doesn't sound sound out of the ordinary, I can't see the issue tbh

[Fourarmsv2]

Not DS2s school then :)

[Klayden]

My partner is a teacher and says this is common practice.

[ProcrastinatorGeneral]

My child's 1-2-1 TA has been used to teach the class before today, they learned the hard way that that doesn't work too well.

You guys are put under too much pressure sometimes. Much respect.

[VelvetRose]

I can see why you felt a bit uncomfortable. I don't actually think that's especially out of the ordinary but I think we'd only do it if we knew the TA well and they were happy to be left.

[nikinaki]

Yes very normal ime

[Pastaeater]

I agree that many parents would be shocked if they realised how much teaching is done by TAs - in my case without any planning help from teacher.

[MrsEvadneCake]

I'm only able to be alone with 15 for insurance purposes.

I would tell your agency. It's up to them to make sure you are working inside guidelines.

[Pastaeater]

Done by schools purely to save money.

[CocktailQueen]

Sounds ok to me! In Scotland a teacher has sole control of a class and has no TA!