....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.

I agree your daughter has a right to a qualified teacher. Yes there are lots of reasons why this might not be practical but but these reasons are caused by us as adults. She only has one chance at an education as a child. If we want to structure our education system and our taxation levels in such a way as that we fail to a attract and retain teachers (be that due to pay, punitive inspection systems, undeliverable curriculums etc) then that is on us.

@Missdread

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!

When you see what some/most supply teachers have to put up with when they go into schools £110 per day really isn't enough.

Completely unfair to put all of that workload on a TA. They are paid an absolute pittance for huge amounts of responsibility and expectation. Doesn't matter if they're not planning/marking etc, it is still too much to ask. As for the children, they probably won't notice any difference because the TA will do the job to the very best of their ability.

Missdread, it is shockingly low, I agree. They need to do what they did with the lorry drivers. It's a tough job and the pressure is so much. Seen many teacher in tears.

Your daughter's teacher is probably SLT and has some days out of the classroom for management. SLT teachers are expensive so it makes budgetary sense to use a TA to cover, rather than a qualified teacher. It happens all the time, my school included. It doesn't make it right though!

I work part time as a TA and it's around £60-£65 a day. Just above minimum wage. I also have another job which pays quite a bit more.

This happened in my school when I was 10. The headteacher stepped in to teach in the classroom for two weeks while it was sorted out! However that was when many TAs had very limited qualifications, very rare for them to be ex teachers.

@pokemeinthemorning

nohouseyet , Gwent

Gosh I am shocked. I’m in the West. I still suggest letters to your AS/MP and to the council. It’s just not fair on the children. I dunno if Gwent has advisory teachers left (sounds like they’re disappearing in England) but there’s plenty in my neck of the woods and they need to be covering IMO. That’s what’s been happening during Covid here.

Saskatcha

You have missed out low level disruption, abuse from parents and pupils , the general abuse and lack of support from the media and government, under funding and the ever increasing levels of paperwork.

@Hercisback

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

No they aren't.

Yes they are.

In my school we did this, but the TA in question was a qualified teacher and we paid her a supply rate for the hours she was covering the class.

Finding supply teachers in our school is impossible right now. They don't exist.

We're short staffed and struggling to get qualified, experienced staff for open positions, especially support staff, as the pay is shit and you can make more now with less stress in retail, etc.

Personally think having a good, reliable TA there, who knows the children, is much better than different supply teachers coming in and providing instability for them

Pretty sure in LA schools teachers must have QTS.

@underneaththeash only in LA schools. Academies and free schools don't have to employ people with QTS

Hi. I’m a teacher, but I “stepped down” to TA for a few years when my own children were small because the workload was too harsh. It could well be the case your TA is also adequately qualified. At the moment due to COVID-19, my school is stretching or reallocating our existing pool wherever possible. Agency is very hard to come by at the moment anyway, but we’re also trying to avoid too many strangers through our doors right now.

Academies and free schools do not need qualified teachers. They can employ anyone they like.

itsallgoingpearshped, right you are!

Frenchtoastie, this is LA.

@underneaththeash
Not in academies and free schools.

These are both types of state school.

Just because a pp said that they need to do with teachers "what they have done with the lorry drivers" I do need to ask what indeed they HAVE done with the Lorry Drivers?

That now all the working T&Cs are even vaquely comparable to those of a Primary School Teacher?

And somehow the gross rate charged by Plumbers can be compared too? Maybe if they could add "the world of work and all its variations" to the curriculum then that might be quite useful.

I think it depends. My son d a TA for a whole year due to his teacher being involved in a serious accident. The TA in question was also part way through a teaching degree and was very well supported by other staff.

@underneaththeash

It pains me to say but previous posters are technically correct.

4.22 The governing body of a maintained school should be aware that teachers must hold qualified teacher status (QTS) unless they satisfy one of the requirements or conditions specified in the schedule to the appropriate regulations18.

Those conditions under point 18 are:
Persons who may carry out specified work under supervision
6.—(1) This paragraph applies to a person who carries out specified work in a school where—
(a) the person carries out such work in order to assist or support the work of a qualified teacher or a nominated teacher in the school;
(b) the person is subject to the direction and supervision of a qualified teacher or nominated teacher in accordance with arrangements made by the head teacher of the school; and
(c) the head teacher is satisfied that the person has the skills, expertise and experience required to carry out specified work.

If the TA is delivering work planned etc by a qualified teacher (such as the existing one or one in the other class), then this is allowed, for example. You can thank Gove for that.

@FrippEnos

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".

Not true at all. I know as I'm currently employed as one!

You aren't allowed to teach the same class , as a TA, for more than 3 consecutive days , as the school's insurance will kick in to provide funding for a replacement teacher.
( speaking as an overused TA and HLTA.)