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.

The TAs are amazing. I think the issue is that there is so much of an admin burden on teachers which is quite different to the 90s when I was at school. Things have changed lots (and not necessarily for the better) which means expectation on teachers is much higher - and that’s not all on the physical teaching side!

Some people seem to be deliberately obtuse (re all the "there were no TAs in the school when I was a child"...). There were no TAs in the schools I attended in the 70s and 80s. However, neither were there non-verbal, violent and several times daily incontinent children in the school as they were all in special schools, large numbers of refugee children and children who arrived speaking no English in the schools I attended. There were, however, quite a few children labelled "thick" who still couldn't read at the end of primary school and who did not really get extra help because there wasn't perceived to be much point. It used to be considered absolutely fine that large numbers of children should be left behind. Schools also never used to have such a colossal role in safeguarding, prevention of radicalisation, etc, etc. Schools' responsibilities keep piling up and up whilst funding goes down. It's bloody ridiculous.

Do they take parent volunteers to read? I go into my son's school once a week and read with the year ones. Every year has a volunteer to go in once a week to read with each child. Works really well!