Teachers leaving and long term sickness

[Jennybeans401]

Middle moved school last year due to bullying. She settled well into the new school and things have been okay for her.

About 5 weeks ago the lovely, long term TA left the school. The TA worked in dds class, dd liked her a lot and she provided a lot of stability. The class has a lot of children with SEND requirements. The HT hasn't replaced the TA, dd said the class was difficult but she loves the class teacher so tried to get on with it.

The class teacher took sick leave 2 weeks ago, she seemed very stressed and now the class just have a TA from Reception teaching them (no other TAs to support this young lady). The class is very disruptive now, dd can't concentrate and doesn't understand the work anymore.

I spoke to the HT yesterday who said they don't have any other options but to continue like this until the teacher is back.

AIBU to think of moving dd again if the problem doesn't get resolved?

*middle dd moved schools- sorry!

Many schools are like this, so you might just find yourself in the same situation

Unfortunately that's the reality of many schools at the moment. There's no guarantee that moving her will avoid the same situation somewhere else.

It won't be the headteacher's choice not to replace the TA. They will have tried but won't have been able to find somebody else, sadly, particularly at short notice. As others have said this will be happening in many other schools due to lack of funding.

This is normal in UK schools now. You could move again and easily encounter the same issue. Very unfair of the school to expect a TA to cover the class on a long-term basis but not unusual at all.

It's really sad, it's really affecting dds enjoyment of school. Recently a lot of children are crying on their way in, I understand the lack of funding, it all seems do hard on the children

Is it legal in academies for the TA to teach?

Make sure you vote.accordingly at the next election. And let your MP know now that this is happening in their constituency

It’s shocking to think of a TA holding a whole class for days without support. She will be on such low pay too - so unfair on both the TA and the class. Sadly I think the other posters are right in that there’s no guarantee this wouldn’t happen elsewhere. Can you think of ways to help her to get to the end of the year when hopefully things will improve?

I'm not sure I can really envisage dd coping until they break for summer. I think it's really having a negative effect on all her classmates too.

Yes, academies can set their own rules for deploying unqualified teachers. The SENCO should be qualified though.

It's legal in an academy for anyone to teach providing they have a DBS.

Are you in a position to be able to negotiate taking her out of school and educating her at home until September?

There's no requirement in academies for any person teaching a class to be a qualified teacher.

The teaching assistant might be a qualified teacher. There's a lot of teachers who have stepped back from teaching into support roles. She might also be an HLTA and they do get used for cover. Alternatively she could be being paid a low wage to take on teacher duties, which is unfair on everyone.

@AtlasPine I work full time so it would be difficult.

@Iamnotthe1 I'm shocked, how can the government let this happen? Its worrying

The main point here as far as the child’s experience is concerned is that it clearly isn’t working.

@LolaSmiles the TA isn't even listed on the school website, she joined three months ago and is a normal TA. She's very young, looks around early twenties

Let? There's no let. They made this happen. They designed the rules that allow it to happen. They don't give a shit about it happening. This government are not on the side of education: never have been, never will be. There is nothing that they have done since being in office that has had a positive impact on children, only negative.

I feel so sad for this generation and for teachers, I remember we always had teachers at school. It was a good job in those days but I understand how funding cuts are affecting education

If there is any way you can mix and match a home education experience for her for a few months - grandparents helping perhaps, or sharing time with another home schooler - that would give her some space to recover in. It’s very hard to organise this kind of this thing though - especially when you’re both working full time - I do sympathise.

Members of staff don’t need to be listed on their school website, lots of teachers are in their early twenties.

It's normal now. I wake up most days not wanting to go in to school. Staffing is short and we are expected to cover so much. My goodwill has run out.
I feel sorry for the T.A, but I also feel sorry for our children in this country.
I hope it works out OP.

@AtlasPine I have an older, disabled ds who attends a specialist school. I have very little family support unfortunately, even with my eldest. I would struggle to home educate.

I'm wondering if flexi schooling might be an option but haven't heard of it here

Education, health, welfare - I can’t tell you how much I hate this government.

Flexischooling might be worth exploring. It does sound like you have a lot on your plate.