AIBU to ask for more money.

[Heartbrokengirl14]

I am a higher level teaching assistant at a secondary school. I am planning on doing my teacher training at some point. Currently doing 14 hours a week teaching Among other duties on £22000. Essentially I shouldn’t be teaching at all as I am not yet qualified and should only be supervising cover but we are VERY short staffed.
A teacher is leaving and I have been told that now I have to take the classes bringing my hours up to 27 hours. At least to the end of term in two months
I am panicking about work and classes atm as I only have 3 days to plan lessons. I can do it, I am a decent teacher.
But is it worth me asking for more money? I think 22000 is a decent amount but I feel annoyed at being suddenly told I am teaching extra hours with no notice and the added work load of marking and prep. Am I being really cheeky?

hours up to 27 hours
Is that 27 hours teaching? That will take you over what you would be allowed to do as a full time teacher.

In terms of money - you could ask, but a trainee teacher gets considerably less than this and an NQT on M1gets round about £22,000 - unless you are in London in which case it’s a bit more.

They are taking advantage of you though - so if I were you I’d have a conversation about it. I’d also join a union..

You don't ask you don't get. You could ask yo go into the unqualified teacher scale but that starts off quite low too. You'd have to say the number you want to be on. Sounds like their hands are tied a bit too.

What Smile said!

That why I feel a bit cheeky for asking for more as I know I am on a lot more then some NQTs.
They are no unions representatives at the school and I don’t know what union is best to join as I am new members of staff.
I do feel like I am being taken advantage of. But not sure what to do as they department is under a lot of pressure and I feel I need to pull my weight but at the same time I’m not experienced or qualified and the department is will to support me in my teacher training. It’s a mess

Have you checked your job description?
Where I am HLTAs are expected to cover teaching when issues arise, sickness/PPA etc:
TAs also cover for limited times as well, all stated in contracts and specifications.
This is primary though not secondary.
Can you use the long/medium term planning to help with the daily lesson plans?

Are you teaching 27 hours?

I am expected to cover lesson but not every day only in an emergency. This will be an extra 11 plus every week that I have to mark and get ready for end of year exams. I might just ask for more support in prep.

I will be teaching 27 at the start of the new half term but I have emailed my supervisor as I know I should be capped at 26

You need to ask for PPA and as previously mentioned use the long/medium term planning to prep, also do as you said and ask for support.

It’s not necessarily 26 - depends on how many teaching periods there are p/w - you should have 10% of that as PPA - and as an NQT would have a further 10% non contact time - that would seem only fair given that you are unqualified.

So if you have a 30 period week the maximum you should teach is 24 periods.

It’s grossly unfair to expect you to do more than someone with QTS would be expected to do.

What Smile said is correct.

In addition, the unqualified teacher salary scale starts at just short of £15k, and doesn’t go above £22k until scale point five... so, you are already going to be paid above the going rate.

By all means ask, but I’m pretty sure you aren’t going to get and actually, are on a pretty good salary already.

Smiles! Thank you so much. 30 lessons a week so I will look at asking for more support or take away some hours.
I have been thrown in at the deep end a bit and have been learning as I have gone along. I went from 0 teaching hours to 14 and now to 27 with little or no help.
I think I am just feeling pressured and annoyed that now the year 11 are gone no one else is picking up as many hours and it’s being thrown on me.
It’s only for a little bit so I will struggle on.
And I will join the union. Can anyone recommend me one?

There being hours that need covering is not your fault, or your problem. It is SLT’s problem.

I think Unison is a popular union for support staff - maybe try them?

I'm with NEU (I was with NUT before the merger). No idea if they're any good for support staff. You really must join a union now (and I mean tonight). They won't take on pre existing issues. And it's crazy to be teaching and not be in a union