....to think my daughter's class has a right to a qualified teacher?

[pokemeinthemorning]

So we had a message tonight on the system to explain what is happening in my daughter's year 5 class. Apparently, their teacher will now be teaching another class because one teacher left two weeks ago and they have said they have 'dispensed of any supply staff'. Basically the TA will be teaching the class for the foreseeable future.
I know there are many dedicated and wonderful TA's who could make great teachers BUT we are not qualified to teach classes on a regular basis.
On questioning my daughter I found out that from the start of this year she has her teacher in class 2 days a week and the rest is taken on by the TA. We were not told about this.
As a TA myself, I know that they often cover classes but this is on a regular basis for a prolonged period of time.

I feel that this is very unfair and they should at least be employing supply teachers in the meantime.

@pokemeinthemorning

I understand that many TAs are former teachers but they must be paid much less as a TA. If they are paid less then surely the responsibility shouldn't be the same.

The TA won't be setting, marking, or giving feedback on work.

Unless they do it (are pressured in to it) out of good will

send in an advisory teacher to cover, for example

All of the advisory teachers in my LA were made redundant in 2019-there are none.

We used up our year’s budget for supply at half term, so have no money left at all. From what I’ve heard locally, there are no supply teachers to be found anyway as teacher absence is so high. Our SLT already teach and we can barely afford the heating bill so money to be found from anywhere else.

Things are dreadful and parents should be very cross. With the government, in case that’s not clear.

@Elephantsparade

I think children should have qualified teachers. We keep hearing how 'quality first' teaching has the biggest impact on children's progress.

Sadly many children dont get this because of the retention crisis. I doubt the school wants it to be like this.

Sadly "quality first" is just another government soundbite.

Michael Gove took away children's right to a qualified teacher.

YANBU however as a teacher I see the quality of some of the supply staff we get through our doors (about 10% are excellent and rightly in high demand, 50% are mediocre, 40% are atrocious and the kids run riot with them). If this were my child, given the current issues with getting supply in (ie if you have a pulse and a DBS check, we are taking them right now) I'd think they're quite possibly better off with a TA who knows them, the topics and the school well.

I bloody well hope the TA is being paid for this though (I doubt it).

There are no supply teachers available here! We also have a class covered by a TA. Not only the teacher shortage crisis but there is also not enough money in the budgets for supply in areas where they are available.

hollyivysaurus, that makes some sense. I've seen it too.

@nohouseyet

You are not being unreasonable, the school should cut its budget elsewhere, your child should be taught by a teacher and the if the school have budgeting issues they should be cutting elsewhere, not teaching staff. Is it an academy / free school? This is the problem when schools don’t have proper oversight and accountability in place. This would never happen in a million years in my LA maintained school.

I'm afraid it definitely does happen in LA schools!

The UK spends a decent % of GDP on education. Same as Canada and more than other European Countries such as France and Germany. (google it)
Is the teacher a higher level TA? If not, she can't cover the classes. If she is she can only teach the classes for a "short period" of time.

I'd get together with some of the other parents and write to the head/governors. Remind them that an HLA's responsibilities are:

To complement the professional work of teachers by taking responsibility for agreed learning activities under an agreed system of supervision. This may involve planning, preparing and delivering learning activities for individuals/groups or short-term for whole classes…”
Not to teach full-time. Teachers in the UK in state schools are legally required to be qualified.

I'm afraid it definitely does happen in LA schools!

Yep, I agree!

@Appuskidu

send in an advisory teacher to cover, for example

All of the advisory teachers in my LA were made redundant in 2019-there are none.

We used up our year’s budget for supply at half term, so have no money left at all. From what I’ve heard locally, there are no supply teachers to be found anyway as teacher absence is so high. Our SLT already teach and we can barely afford the heating bill so money to be found from anywhere else.

Things are dreadful and parents should be very cross. With the government, in case that’s not clear.

Wow, seriously? That is horrific. Tbh I’m in Wales and we have a Labour leader so maybe that’s why our schools are in a better state.

if the school have budgeting issues they should be cutting elsewhere
Where would you suggest those cuts be made?

MissCruela, it is LA.

Anyone saying about management sat doing nothing really needs to spend some time in a school. My friend is a deputy head and is full time DSL, working in child protection. No time to go in class when you’re constantly in CiN meetings, supporting families etc. Schools are plugging the social services gap too…

Another source of chronic underfunding.

Nohouseyet I am in Wales! Sorry!

Teachers in the UK in state schools are legally required to be qualified.

No they aren't.

You have my sympathises OP. My own Year 2 DD still has not met her ‘actual’ teacher this academic year at all due to health issues (but I don’t know more obviously).

I am in a more fortunate position than you as her school was able to find a supply teacher, which she has had all this time.

I must confess that when we first got the email back in Sept, I was very surprised that they could find a supply teacher and such short notice and jot use her TA (which they have had to resort to before)

I will say that your child’s school knows this is not remotely ideal so would probably agree with any correspondence you send them but their hands might be tied.

I wonder if the teacher in the other class in the same year is planning all the lessons and marking etc. I know that this is the current case at my DD’s school. Do they also have specialist teachers for things like Music and PE for some of the sessions, so not as much TA time as you think?

Maybe the school is unofficially scheduled to be phased out? Is it small, are there other schools in the area?

Meanwhile, as a parent, mabe brush up a bit on what the current Y5 curriculum is and, using your L3 TA skills, you can ensure at least your own dc are kept up to speed.

The rest depends on whether you want to stick your head above the parapet.

@pokemeinthemorning

Nohouseyet I am in Wales! Sorry!

😱 Which county?!

underneaththeash

I'd get together with some of the other parents and write to the head/governors. Remind them that an HLA's responsibilities are:

HLAs were binned some years ago. Some put back as TAs, others have become "instructors".

Underneaththeash, thanks for the info. I thought as much. That is what we pay our taxes for. I also think it promotes educational inequality.

You'd think with the massive shortage of supply teachers that it would be an attractive option for those who aren't currently contracted in one school. The pay is around £110 per day; you might get a bit more near London. Plumbers charge £50 an hour, builders £250 a day. Teachers are woefully underpaid. It is shocking!

Perhaps query the full situation with the HT then campaign/ complain to your local MP/ newspaper? I'm sure the head would appreciate the extra support. Good luck.

nohouseyet , Gwent

Take it up with the headteacher first to try and get a reason. If that answer isn't satisfactory, take it up with the school governors - it's their job to sign off on the budgets and ensure the headteacher is delivering what they should be.