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!

Yep, normal in my dd's year r class. Although the teacher always has work planned for them, or they have busy time (each table has a different activity on it)

No-not normal at my school. PPA is covered by qualified teachers or a HLTA. 'Normal' TAs aren't left in charge of a class.

Doing moderation for two hours whilst the kids are watching a film is pretty shabby, too! Why can't they moderate after school like the rest of us have to?!

At my school TAs regularly cover ppa, sick leave and teachers out for meetings. As pp said, it's all to save money.

However, it's unlikely a supply TA would be asked to do this.

They did that wth me on supply and i told them no way jose again, unless they want to pay a better rate.

If i am in as TA then that is what i do. If not, and i am in as supervisor, it is a better pay rate and they need to boost it a little.

Cocktail - that is different; teachers are paid to be in control of a class, TAs aren't.

There's one heck of a difference between a trained, qualified teacher being in sole charge of a class and an TA being left in charge.

Yep all the time. I am an ex level 3 TA and just for pissed off with it.

If I wanted that stress I would still be a nursing sister.

The final straw was the teacher failed to turn up after lunch and I was left with 32 reception class kids. Of course it's not rocket science and I coped but why should I? The pay is shite.

Totally normal around here.

A TA definitely not at our school but our HLTA covers all ppa etc and they is one of the things he is employed to do.

No-not normal at my school. PPA is covered by qualified teachers or a HLTA. 'Normal' TAs aren't left in charge of a class.

It's like this at my dcs' school as well. There is another moderation session planned for Monday but luckily the teacher has suggested that the 2 year 4 classes are together watching another film. That will mean that there will be 2 other TAs in the room (thank god).

Hadn't thought of the money factor. Just my inexperience and wondering whether I am cut out to do the job!

The TAs at my kids' school often takes the class. The only thing that bothers me about it is I don't think the TAs get paid enough for what they do!

so from a parent perspective I don't have an issue with it at all, I dont know from aprofessionaL POV though

I've never had to do this. I love my job but the crap wage is not worth supervising a class. In our school an HLTA or cover supervisor would do it.