Teaching assistants taking lessons

[wantstosleepnow]

I am prepared to be told IABU

My 3 DC all attend the same primary school and it seems that the reception TA takes the class by herself on a friday, and my yr 4 DS says that a TA takes his class on a fri afternoon. This TA is one of the mums from his class, she has only been a TA for a year. I find it hard to believe she could have done enough training to manage a class by herself.

I also think that it undermines the teaching profession to use a TA, as AFAIK they have little or no training at all.

So AIBU to think that TA should be just that, teaching assistants?

I'm a TA in a special school, I also have a good degree, years of experience working with highly challenging children... and I refuse to do PPA cover or lead in the absence of the teacher.

My reasoning is that while I am perfectly capable (honestly I am) I have decided NOT to do a pgce year and teach because I have too many other factors in my life... 4 kids, one disabled..I do not WANT the responsibility or paperwork.

Also... why the hell should I do the teacher's job on a fraction of the pay?!!!!
We have TA's covering regularly in school.. PA, sickness, senior management days etc and I think it's an insult to ask TAs to plan, carry out and record for peanuts. Some do it because they see it as 'bettering themselves' others because they enjoy it. I say no:D

Not sure I would want to be a TA if I was expected to take the whole class. Might as well have a much bigger salary and be a teacher. However, I am sure they would be perfectly capable.

Hulababy - can you just clarify your appointment as an HLTA? Was this just a promotion because I thought you had to provide evidence of 38 standards to gain the award.

Just been through internal interview and application process. As a qualified teacher I am exempt from the HLTA assessment - all been checked fully via LEA/HR etc. The other woman who got the other HLTA job is not qualified and will be doing the course training and assessment over the next few weeks/months and will start her job on completion. I ill probably start mine before then, after Christmas.

Medusa - although I do feel the use of a TA,/HLTA is in effect a "cheap teacher" option the reason I went for the HLTA post this time is because I am considering, when DD is a little older, returning to teaching but this time in the primary sector - so this for me is a next step on the route, gaining even more experience in the primary sector, updating my skills, etc.

I know someone who works in a school as a pe teacher. She has no degree or pgce but takes all pe lessons. She plans etc and writes reports. Is this standard practice? Any teachers know?

Sometime Geraldine people who have been teaching for 30+ yeras don't because it wasn't the reuiremnt back then. You did the certificate in teaching (or something don't quote me)

Also some places you can teach if you have a specific skill - eg sport, usually the public schools not state do this.

I worked as a Dance teacher in a private school because I'm a qualified dance teacher. I planned the lessons and wrote the reports (or rather 1/2 lines about the dance part! but was answerable to the PE teacher.

Thanks Boo. She hasn't been doing it that long ( 5years) but it is a state school. She has experience coaching so maybe that's why. Don't really know that much about education :)

Possibly. She maybe employed as a sports coach?

TBH I don't knowthat much, I am a TA but trainee teacher so my information is just what have been told and done as dance teacher.

TAs should not be teaching classes, I used to be one and it isn't on. Cover Supervisors shouldn't really either but that is by the by. When I wanted to teach I got qualified, then I taught. The school pushed me to teach as a Ta but I said no, I just took small remedial classes.

This is a luxury problem if you ask me. At my school each teacher has 30 kids give or take without TA. If we are lucky we get a parent helper once or twice a week, but often they have enough after a few sessions ....

Thanks for the reply Hulababy. Our LA stopped providing HLTA training last year and I wondered if something new had come along to replace it but retained the same name.

It's golen-time on friday afternoons in my DD's school anyway.
So the TA wouldn't be teaching as such.

Golden