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Original poster

In SCOTLAND can a teaching assistant teach a class alone?

40 replies

Swollenandgrouchy · 02/08/2024 18:48

posting here for traffic as not many responses in the education board.

my kids are at a rural primary school in Scotland. One class is being split across two rooms, and they are still calling it one composite class… but the teacher will only spend half of her time in each class room (I am told).

I believe the rules in Scotland are different to England in that they pupils must have a qualified teacher at all times… but I cannot find any formal guidance on this.

I would be very grateful if someone in the know could share a link to the guidance/legislation please?

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Swollenandgrouchy · 04/08/2024 10:01

Okay thanks @Misthios

OP posts:
Misthios · 04/08/2024 09:58

@Swollenandgrouchy please post this thread again on Scotsnet - https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/scotsnet - although you have said Scotland in the title people are still using words terms like teaching assistant which is not a "thing" in Scotland.

WittyFatball · 04/08/2024 09:57

Swollenandgrouchy · 04/08/2024 09:54

Thank you everyone.

I am really looking for specific guidance that states that a qualified teacher must be with the class at all times. I have heard this is the case in Scotland but so far have not read anything to back it up.

I doubt there's a rule that says the teacher must be physically in the same room as every child at all times.
There's a qualified teacher for every 20 pupils, and the teacher is doing the planning and teaching - there won't be a rule that the classroom assistant can't supervise half the class.

Shinyandnew1 · 04/08/2024 09:54

Presuming this is a small rural school that has always been a small rural school, why are they now splitting a class of 18 P1-4 into two rooms? What’s the reason? Do they suddenly have spare classrooms available in a school of 40?

Original poster
Swollenandgrouchy · 04/08/2024 09:54

Thank you everyone.

I am really looking for specific guidance that states that a qualified teacher must be with the class at all times. I have heard this is the case in Scotland but so far have not read anything to back it up.

OP posts:
Original poster
Swollenandgrouchy · 04/08/2024 09:51

@JMSA ive been told it’s happening

OP posts:
Original poster
Swollenandgrouchy · 04/08/2024 09:51

@letsghostdance sorry , are you saying that a learning support assistant is competent enough to teach a whole class?

OP posts:
letsghostdance · 03/08/2024 01:09

There are leaning assistants and classroom assistants. Both have different roles. Neither should be in sole charge of a class. They certainly are competent enough but absolutely are not paid enough.

JMSA · 03/08/2024 00:07

No, it wouldn't happen. And they're called Pupil Support Assistants.

Original poster
Swollenandgrouchy · 02/08/2024 21:29

There are around 40 children in the school. (Some of these maybe in the small nursery, I’m not sure if these are included in the roll).

anyway, roughly 18-20 x p1-p4 , and 18-20 x p5-p7

so if p1-p4 were split into two subgroups there would be 9-10 in each sub group

OP posts:
SD1978 · 02/08/2024 20:59

How big is the class, how many kids and what age in each group. Sounds like they are justifying it by (I am assuming) the teacher will go through the lesson with group 1, classroom assistant will then support that group, teacher will then 'teach' group 2

Original poster
Swollenandgrouchy · 02/08/2024 19:39

Brilliant thank you very much , that really helps!

OP posts:
Misthios · 02/08/2024 19:08

Not a teacher but do live in Scotland and have three kids in schools here. Classroom assistants very much play a supporting role, as a PP has said supporting individual children or taking small groups out to do extra reading/maths or similar. Or minding the class in an emergency when the teacher has to dash to the loo or take a phone call or similar.

To my mind this is VERY wrong. We did have a situation about 10 years ago with my oldest, school bursting at the seams and they needed to make a composite of 32 where the limit is 25 - but they had two fully qualified teachers at all times.

I would raise this with your Parent Council, there should be details on the school website and if not, the local council should have details. Also maybe post on Scotsnet as there are loads of teachers on there.

Purpleturtle45 · 02/08/2024 18:58

There aren't teaching assistants in Scotland, only classroom assistants so they should not be teaching, perhaps working with small groups to support their learning. A classroom assistant should not be in charge of a class.