Part time Y1 teacher

[HeidiSpeidi]

Just gauging opinion, I'm thinking of approaching school but would appreciate thoughts.

Ds is in Y1, his full time teacher has just gone on maternity leave and has been replaced with a teacher just returning form mat leave.

The new teacher is part time, from what I can gleam from ds and the handover at the end of school days, I understand she has 2 definite afternoons off a week and possibly 3.

So far the TA(or 2 of them) have had sole charge of the class during this time. I know they had one supply teacher but this was several weeks ago.

We had issues with staffing in reception and it was solely DS class which was disrupted. I'm not sure how I feel about not having a qualified teacher during the afternoons the main teacher is absent.

Any thoughts please?

[Bubblysqueak]

If the TA is a HLTA they are allowed to cover teachers absence and are often used for PPA cover etc.

[smilingsarahb]

I think it's fair enough to ask what the arrangements are but a class teacher would always be out for the equivalent of one afternoon a week for PPA, which in most schools would be covered by a HLTA. I think it wouldn't be unreasonable to have 2 afternoons a week with a TA in this way especially if it meant securing a good permanent part time teacher rather than endless supply. Maybe 3 is beginning to be a stretch..but even then if they are good permanent staff I wouldn't mind to be honest.

[TequilaTequilaGin]

This is, unfortunately, the future.

I wholly disagree with asking TAs to take and teach classes.

[HeidiSpeidi]

Thank you, neither TA's are HLTA's according to school website and the notice board in reception.

If we hadn't had the issues with reception I don't think I'd have minded as much. The class teacher in reception was a constant through the school year but there were 6(!) different TA's with very little communication about changes. When the 6th TA appeared one morning without introduction I emailed the head who tbf got back to me immediately.

Even just a little note home saying "Mrs X will be out of the classroom during X afternoons and these are the plans to cover for her" would suffice. I'm wondering why employ supply for the first 2 weeks and that's it.

I think I'll have a chat with a friend whose DD is in the same class and take it from there. I think it's fair to ask for some clarity at least

[mrz]

It's normal for all teachers to have the equivalent of one half day out of the classroom for PPA and a NQT is entitled to an additional half day as are senior managers in some schools so that could be the reason

[HeidiSpeidi]

The half days are definitely on top of the teachers PPA. To be fair to the teacher she seems to know ds really well considering the short time she's had the class. I've no problem with her and don't currently have any concerns regarding DS progress/happiness at school.

I'm just concerned with the lack of communication for the second school year in a row, if the school have judged that the TA's are as good as a qualified teacher then so be it, just communicate that maybe?

I come from a background of early years education and I'm just not sure how comfortable I am with the arrangements, from a parents perspective as well as a previous TA( albeit with children a year younger).

Am I just being a tad precious?

[pianomadness]

Not precious at all and I'm sure other parents are also wondering. I'd just email the school and ask for clarification on who is taking the class and when. It might clear up your concerns quickly or at least inform you if you have anything to be concerned about.