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Original poster

Year 2 School Staffing

60 replies

Dreamypuma · 10/09/2021 22:07

Hi All,

I'm new here so apologies in advance for any breaches of etiquette.

I've just heard from my 6 year old daughter and another parent that her class is not being staffed by a teacher on Fridays, but two teaching assistants.

From what we can gather, this is not a one off, but likely to be the case every week.

Without undermining the value of teaching assistants, does this sound acceptable?

OP posts:
merryhouse · 10/09/2021 22:13

Is this all of Friday, or Friday afternoon? Are they doing work in a specific curriculum area that the TAs might have particular skills in?

How accurate is this information?

Mammyloveswine · 10/09/2021 22:14

I assume it's when the class teacher has ppa..it's commonplace in schools.

Mammyloveswine · 10/09/2021 22:16

Also is it just an afternoon rather than all day? Just ask for clarification if you gave concerns

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6 year olds General education Primary education
Awkwardusername · 10/09/2021 22:17

Is the class teacher an NQT?
They may get PPA and NQT time on the same day. Similarly, they may be a member of SLT and get leadership time.
Not ideal, but not uncommon unfortunately!
If TAs are covering for that long, in my eyes they should be paid as teachers for the day!

FfrothiCoffi · 10/09/2021 22:17

It’s PPA time I guess. Mine have a TA one afternoon a week.

AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 10/09/2021 22:18

This is normal. One will likely be a HLTA (higher level). The cost of cover teacher for PPA or any other non-contact time is prohibitive but teachers need the time out to be able to carry out their role properly.

Awkwardusername · 10/09/2021 22:18

Also is it a TA or an HLTA?
HLTAs are often used for PPA cover but also often have specialised skills (eg forest school)

EffYouSeeKaye · 10/09/2021 22:19

Half a day per week is very normal for a higher level TA to cover, in any primary class. A full day is not unheard of. An early career teacher will need one day per week non-contact time, as might a member of the Senior Leadership team (head of department for example). Might your DD’s teacher fall into either of these categories? Or are they just part-time?

ButtonandTiny · 10/09/2021 22:19

The year 2 teacher at my school has one day out of class. She is senior leadership and gets half a day management time and half a day ppa. She is covered by a part time teacher in the morning and a TA in the afternoon.

Original poster
Dreamypuma · 10/09/2021 22:23

Hi all, wow. This forums really active.

The pupils have been advised that there will be no qualified teacher for the entire day on Friday. Only two teaching assistants.

We initially took this with a pinch of salt. But now a parent has also messaged us to confirm the same for this class also.

The class is a mixed year 1 and 2 two class. Our daughter is in year two. Not being familiar with this concept, this initially took us by surprise. Now with the apparent development of no qualified teacher on Fridays, we are starting to get quite increasingly concerned.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dreamypuma · 10/09/2021 22:27

Sorry I'm getting lost with all the acronyms. Please can someone clarify PPA, HLTA and SLT?

OP posts:
LizzieBet14 · 10/09/2021 22:28

I think that often TAs are the backbone of most schools and the kids have a great relationship with them. The work will be planned by the teacher. I'd just see how it goes but I bet the kids will really look forward to Fridays!

EffYouSeeKaye · 10/09/2021 22:31

The (6 year old) pupils were advised that they would have ‘no qualified teacher’ on Fridays?

That sounds odd.

Stompythedinosaur · 10/09/2021 22:32

Fairly normal - HLTAs can take classes with work set but the teacher.

Stompythedinosaur · 10/09/2021 22:32

*by the teacher

CuckooCall · 10/09/2021 22:33

My dd had this arrangement all last year, and it's the same this year. Her teacher works a 4 day week, and then two TAs cover the Friday. My dd has made great progress in the past year, and it hasn't hindered her learning at all. There is also nothing wrong with mixed year groups. It's a very common occurrence in smaller schools.

Original poster
Dreamypuma · 10/09/2021 22:33

@LizzieBet14

I think that often TAs are the backbone of most schools and the kids have a great relationship with them. The work will be planned by the teacher. I'd just see how it goes but I bet the kids will really look forward to Fridays!
Well that the thing. She is looking forward to Fridays and isn't very academically minded. So we maybe overthinking this, but subconsciously thinking Fridays are play days.
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inappropriateraspberry · 10/09/2021 22:35

Some teaching assistants can be better than the actual teachers! I wouldn't worry about it, the lessons will still be planned and set, the TAs will be more than capable of carrying it out.

New2ctc · 10/09/2021 22:36

PPA - planning, preparation & assessment time
SLT - senior leadership team (usually HT headteacher, dht deputy headteacher or aht assistant headteacher plus KS coordinator (key stage)
HLTA - higher level teaching assistant
TA - teaching assistant

HamCob · 10/09/2021 22:36

If you are concerned then you should contact the school and talk to them about the arrangements they have put in place. I really wouldn't be relying on the word of 6 year olds.
As previous posters have said, it is not unusual for a class to be staffed by teaching assistants. The planning and resources for the day are usually prepared by the class teacher.

TheChosenTwo · 10/09/2021 22:36

Very normal ime. At our school PPA is covered by a combination of LSA/TA and sports coach on a carousel activity basis.
It’s a way of cutting costs and support staff are a mixture of flattered that they’ve been asked and pissed off at being paid the least while having full class responsibility.
Only Band D can do it though which is an improvement on a couple of years ago when they would ask any LSA to cover.
They are not allowed to be left English or maths, only additional curriculum work.
It’s been the same in other schools I’ve worked in, although some have paid for supply/class cover.

merryhouse · 10/09/2021 22:37

Planning, preparation and assessment
Higher Level teaching assistant (often more experience, extra skillset)
senior leadership team (head, deputies, heads of stages etc)

Year 1 and 2 class is quite common, particularly in a small school or one which has awkward numbers of KS1 pupils (owing to the 30 per class limit).

Ingloriousbasterd · 10/09/2021 22:37

Is it a hlta? Because they are ta's trained to a level where they can deliver lessons planned by the teacher

Howshouldibehave · 10/09/2021 22:38

This is very common-it’s staffing a class on the cheap.

HLTAs are ‘higher level’ teaching assistant. This used to be quite an intense course geared at providing TAs with the skills to lead a class, but now a Head teacher can call anyone an HLTA if they want.

It’s teaching on the cheap. Yes, it’s crap, no, heads don’t want to do it but…they have to in order to balance the books.

Original poster
Dreamypuma · 10/09/2021 22:38

@CuckooCall

My dd had this arrangement all last year, and it's the same this year. Her teacher works a 4 day week, and then two TAs cover the Friday. My dd has made great progress in the past year, and it hasn't hindered her learning at all. There is also nothing wrong with mixed year groups. It's a very common occurrence in smaller schools.
Thanks that's reassuring. We're "older" parents so the system seem alien to us.

After last year lockdowns, and a less than engaging teacher last year. Things aren't ideal.

This year the teacher has an excellent reputation and within the few days, it's apparent that there's a good relationship.

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