AIBU that there’s one teacher and no TA

[Tunsey]

So went to DS parents evening. Teacher really lovely. DS loves reading but was told that DS reading will not be checked regularly as teacher has no TA. There are 26 children in the class. In previous years DS had one teacher and one/two TA/s. AIBU to think that my DS (and other children) are at a distinct disadvantage because teacher has no TA support. I know there are shortages but IMO that doesn’t make this situation right.

You are lucky to have a qualified teacher teaching your child. In my school we have no TAs in class - they are all used to cover absent teachers/ PPA.

I'm a Primary School TA & I can assure you that we bloody DO make a difference - every single day! My school is lucky in that there are 2 TAs for every year group & we 'properly teach' on a daily basis - small groups in the morning lessons, supporting the teacher's lesson plan & a full range of 1:1 & group interventions in the afternoons - all of which we plan, deliver & assess by ourselves. Gone are the days when the TAs were glorified 'helpers' doing the cleaning up & photocopying!!

Don't rely solely on the school OP. Read regularly with DS, sit alongside him while you both read your own stuff. Actively seek new things he would like to read (Amazon, local library). You don't give his age but my DS (age 6) went mad for Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and then 'Big Nate', now he reads independently all the time and what the school do seems to barely matter. It's a genuine love of reading that will make the difference, more than the school.

Parents need to listen to their children read regularly. It can't be entirely down to the school to support their learning and reading at home is one of the easiest ways to do this.

That said, I accept it's not always that easy to find time to do this.

Our school does as a pp's and has parents volunteer to come in and read. I love going in and reading with various year groups and I know in each class I read with which ones are the priority to be heard on my sessions. I'm sure parents and grandparents did the same when I was a child.

Ask whether it's something your school will let you do.

I'm just a parent, not a TA, but I spend 2 hours a week listening to children in year 2 read, make notes on what they do well, what they're struggling with, whether they should move up/down a band...

Our school actively invites parents to volunteer to read with children (or do extension maths with the older year groups, or whatever skills you can offer really). If your school does similar, could you (or anyone you know - grandparents also welcomed!) offer to help?

Everyone who voted conservatives voted for this.

Nothing like being simplistic, the policy of 'inclusion' happened under Labour. The closure of Special School, all types, has put impossible pressure on schools regarding learning and behaviour, as a result all the pupils have suffered.

That said, I accept it's not always that easy to find time to do this. Spend some of your social media time maybe? You can't find time for 1 child but the teacher is supposed to find 30 individual slots in the day?

Inclusion can work brilliantly if it is done correctly. That takes time, skill and money.

I work full time so as much as I’d love to I’m not able to into school to listen - although I have taken days off to help with school trips. I just think it’s a real shame - good TAs are a great asset to a school.

BusyMum47

Well said, you missed the bit about dealing with the violent kids who hit kick and bite daily - what would a class look like without the TA to supervise or remove?

What about the kids with medical conditions who without support couldn't even go to school?

Then there's the masses of EAL children some of whom arrive with no English.

And yes to planning and delivering and marking lessons, plus the meetings and IEP suggestions.

So much more than reading and washing paint brushes

Amen to that! All of that. Every day. Overworked, underpaid, undervalued (by some) but definitely making a difference!!

When did TAs in every class become a thing? I don’t remember having a single one in my classes as a kid in primary school (90s), just the teacher.

When you were at school in the 90s the expectations of what young children should achieve were completely different.

How did we cope before TAs? I'm 44. At our primary school there were 24 of us in each year/class. Four teachers (including the head). No TAs.

Teaching has changed massively in terms of the workload, expectations and complexity of children in mainstream schools.

@Rabbit When you were at school in the 90s the expectations of what young children should achieve were completely different

I was at primary from 1981-85. Parents couldn't select which school to go to. There was the comprehensive and the grammar, which meant we all had to take the 11-plus. There may have been different expectations, but there were definitely expectations and I have to say that in my position I receive a lot of letters from GCSE students applying for work experience and the standard of more than half of them is shocking.

I have to say that in my position I receive a lot of letters from GCSE students applying for work experience and the standard of more than half of them is shocking.

Do you think that will be better with fewer (well qualified and supported) teaching assistants in the classroom?

Parents couldn't select which school to go to.

How is this relevant?

You would never have seen some of the children with complex needs in mainstream schools back then, choice of school or not. Inclusion is fantastic but needs proper planning and resources, which includes specialist staff.

@Purple My point is that the quality of the letters I receive now are from the generation that DID have TAs. The quality of written correspondence from people of my generation and older, who didn't have TAs, is unquestionably higher.

You said expectations of children had changed. I was agreeing with you. In my day, we had the 11+ to take and all the preparation for that which the vast majority of kids today don't take. Poor bastards have to do regular testing crap instead and we pile on ever more pressure in different areas.

Oh, and as for inclusion, when I was at infants school (so 4 -7) my best friend in school was a lad with Downs Syndrome. The only reason he didn't come through primary with us was because his parents re-located with his dad's job. He didn't receive any specialist support but did brilliantly.

When I was at primary school we had a teacher who did everything. So no t/a is hardly going to stop your son from what ever you want him to be. This is ridiculous to be honest. My daughter in year two (sats year) last year had 9 teachers that didn't include the ta either because they were A bunch of twats. Also at the girls new school they read once every 2 weeks and I have found they are so much better. More confident more improved.

Tas are wonderful and very necessary imo. I was teaching primary and all my friends who are still teaching have had their TAs taken away as a direct consequence of this government's cuts.

To any TAs reading this thread feeling disheartened.

You're brilliant. You make a bloody massive difference and huge impact and you're worth your weight in gold.

X

I thought this was normal. They only seem to have a class TA for the first 2 or 3 years of primary, after that they only have a TA if they're there to support a child with SN.

TA per class at least in my kids' infant school (but the Head intentionally does the budget to prioritise that over some other stuff - our IT is pretty crappy compared to a lot of schools as a result but does the job, just isn't new and shiny). Might not physically be "in" the class if they're doing interventions with other children, but there's one named and generally attached to each class.

Like someone else upthread I basically go in voluntarily a lot and work as an extra TA (I'm a primary teacher myself by trade) to free up the yeargroup TAs a bit as well.

The kids all do get heard read at least once a week in-school - either by a teacher, TA or an adult volunteer (there are a few of the school's ex-TAs who drop by and get handed the reading folder and told to get on with it as well!)

My Y2 child seems to be being heard read twice a week in school at the moment - once by a volunteer and once by either the teacher or TA - and she's really a kid who they could drop off that if time was running short (they know this - I'm not a parent who'll fuss, I'm one who keeps on at the reading at home and DD1 is a really confident reader), Y1 child gets heard once a week.

Teachers also make a point of highlighting kids they haven't listened to themselves in a while and targeting them specifically to hear as well in case they're in a place on the list where they tend to get heard by different volunteers most weeks.

I do supply though and we tend to get an attack of the disappearing TAs at times when the class TA suddenly develops the need to do all the other random jobs around school and vanishes for the day leaving you on your own!