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?

And how will raising an official complant help? Except to cause even more stress and uneccessary work for staff who are already struggling and trying to do their best for the children.

I wish people like you would get it into your heads that public education in this country is broken and you're to blame for that - you voted the Conservatives in and you've had your heads in the sand ever since. You've ignored all the warnings and now it's coming back to bite you on the arse - and no amounts of @I know my rights' is going to help you now. Work with the school, not against it.

Yep school will (amd do) say its better for them to have a familiar TA teaching than a revolving door of supply who they've never met (and are expensive)

Already many heads of years etc have a day a week ppa when a Hlta will cover for the day. That shocked me about 6 years ago and now has just become normal. 1/5 of their year taught by TA by design...

It's falling apart but if you look at any of the numerous teacher threads there's no support when teachers mention all this (noblegiraffe has talked a lot about this and always gets shot down).

It feels like there's noway for people to hear what is going on.

Yes. I was an HLTA in a primary school, and ended up in charge of year 4 along with a student teacher for nearly a year while the teacher had cancer treatment.

Not relevant to the OP, but do the poor TAs get paid a higher rate for the additional responsibility of teaching a class or are they still on their normal salary?

I voted Labour every election, I desperately want this government out.

Last local election I didn't realise I needed ID to vote as never have in the past so got turned away

I got £11 something per hour instead of my usual £9.80.

Exactly this, unfortunately.

I got £11 something per hour instead of my usual £9.80.

FFS!

Yes. The head can decide that anyone is suitable to teach any class.
Is it fair? No.
Is it a good idea? No.

This. Sadly this is the way it is hence the teacher's strikes.

Firstly there is a teacher shortage, and this late in the year the school have spent their budget - there is no money.

Finally- if the class is disruptive then it’s usually down to the poor behaviour of students - either lack of parental control or lack of a decent SLT enforcing behaviour policies - yet the person stepping up is getting a slating?

I was a TA a very good one, I could teach all day without any issues, but the lack of support and expectation of more and more I paid hours, no flexibility and constantly moved to teach a different year group wears thin. I now work in an office.

I think you’ll find similar situations in any state school.

Schools can’t afford to replace TAs, the last two who left us have not been replaced. Schools can’t afford supply staff to cover sick leave, our head uses TAs if possible or covers herself.

Long term sickness will become more common asunder-resourcing will increase stress levels.

Children who need alternative placements cant be placed correctly as they are all full (I have 4 who have parents begging for special provision, county has agreed but can’t find spaces). Waiting lists for assessments or event to be triaged for assessment are ridiculous (our county is currently processing applications made last September with an 18 month wait time after triage).

We are on a no spend term. Literally nothing. I’d saved about £700 of my budget for things, I’ve had that taken back so that we don’t go into debt. Things I wanted for the children can’t happen now.

But hey, we have a government who brought back blue passports. So that’s great isn’t it? The children’s education isn’t important.

I don't support the Tories but it is not just a question of politics. I live in a traditionally Lib Dem area and schools are struggling so much.
I always appear on threads like this to explain that it is about working conditions not just money.
A local Headteacher to me is losing 50% of her staff at the end of this term. Most are getting out of teaching. Most are female who want flexible working around their children. Teaching isn't family friendly. You are constantly observed and critiqued. You can never have an easy day. You can't ever leave a class to go to the loo or be sick without finding someone to cover your class. It is traditionally a female profession but I work ( very part time) in a Uni Education Dept and many young men dare not go into teaching.
I think MN is to somewhat to blame for the attitudes to teachers. So much criticism on here from Mums working cozily at home. You will never ever be able to recruit teachers in the same numbers again.
There are so many lovely enthusiastic young men who would make brilliant teachers but wouldn't dare now because society is so against men working with young children. There is so much negativity to men in general on here.
You only have to look at threads on here where women honestly think it is their human right to work from home around their children, who don't want male teachers, nursery nurses etc.
I really cannot see teaching ever recovering. There just aren't Spanish teachers, Economic teachers, IT teachers waiting in the wings to cover maternity leave. Students are being taught increasingly by unqualified non specialist staff.
All the posters who know best and think throwing a bit more money at teachers are in for a rude shock

It’s up to the head to find cover. The TA shouldn’t be covering the gaps. It’s not unreasonable to expect your child to be taught by a teacher. The school could mix up the teachers they do have, so half days teacher/TA for example if they wanted to be creative. You can raise an official complaint following the process on the school website, so head and then governors. They need to bring in supply if the teacher is long term sick
You do realise that the supply is not guaranteed to be a qualified teacher either.
Cover supervisors can be anyone and they'll be paid £50-80 a day to cover. People I know did it once they'd finished university to earn some money for summer.

A more experienced TA who knows the school is likely to be the better option than a cover supervisor from an agency.

@Itsanotherhreatday I'm not slating the TA at all, I couldn't do her job and know its difficult. I think I'm more angry that this can happen due to academies and the TA seems to be finding it as hard as the children

Not a surprise, yet many on MN think teachers are lazy and have an easy job. We all know about the chaos in the NHS, but nothing is reported about the situation in schools. It's not good.

It is a shocking situation but it's a true reflection of what is happening in many schools- one of the many reasons that's teachers are striking.

Poor kids...

I just rage at posters who put it all down to lack of money but would never want to do the job themselves. They want the right to be super selective about the people going into teaching, give teachers, TAs such a hard time that many ideal candidates are deterred and wouldn't dare consider teaching.

Expecting a teacher to plan for two different classes of different ages would be a good way of getting rid of that teacher. Planning has to take into account the needs of each child so this would double the workload. It isn't a case of just being in the room.

It is a shit show though.

We are on a supply ban until the end of the year as we have a deficit budget-cover has to be provided internally. There is no money.

OP-we have just had four Y2 children join us from the school up the road. I don’t know what’s going on at the school but the parents were very unhappy. The class teacher who has suddenly had these new children arrive in her class is absolutely on her knees and on the brink of going to the doctor with WRS. We can’t use supply as mentioned above so that absence would be covered by whoever is around. The only people around seem to be 1:1s, and those EHCP children definitely shouldn’t be losing out on their support.

I hope people support the teacher strikes. I hope people vote out the Conservatives at the next GE.

@Covidwoes and many posters on MN think teachers should be female and give their time selflessly without regard for their own families

As a teacher, I somewhat disagree with the person saying not to complain. At this time of year, it should be possible to find supply, the head is likely not doing so because of budget constraints. The head is obviously in a difficult position, but using a TA as long term supply really isn't fair on anyone - the TA won't be being paid enough, for starters. I also think if parents don't complain, it suggests they don't care who teaches their children. Complaining isn't about the TA, it's about wanting a properly qualified teacher for your child.

If enough people complain, the head/MAT will likely come up with a better solution - eg they may be able to find a teacher within the trust who can come in and cover etc.

I've been in this position as a secondary teacher, and it's amazing how quickly things change when parents start making official complaints.

Also, OP, whilst this could happen anywhere, it may be worth looking at other local schools - however, if your dd is generally settled and happy in her current school, then I do think moving again should be a last resort.

@Jennybeans401 it won’t just be in academies

All the posters who think a change of government will solve the problem don't get that it is not just about money. MN is powerful but the male negativity on here spreads all over social media so that many men wouldn't dare consider teaching as a career.

I think you'll find that in lots (most?) of academies many of the people called "teacher" aren't qualified.

Some unqualified teachers do a really good job, bringing other experience with them. Some qualified teachers are a bit rubbish, but on the whole you'd want your child's teacher to be qualified. The government doesn't care agree.