To think most people have no idea how little HLTAs/Teaching Assistants earn?

[LorlieS]

Anybody want to hazard a guess at the average monthly income of a ft HLTA/TA?

It really is quite shocking!

I do think your pay is exceptionally poor though. As I’ve said I earn 12.18 as a TA and the HLTAs in my school earn around 4/5 pph more.

I don’t cover as often as you. Ours is driven by sickness mainly. Last week I covered 2 full days. And the week before an afternoon and then a day and a half of me and an HLTA.

Or I guess mine is exceptionally well paid……

Our HLTAs (level 4) get about 75p an hour more than level 3 TAs who earn c. £12 per hour. Not only is it a ridiculously small difference it's ridiculous that there seems to be so much variance throughout the country. I'm in the home counties and that hourly rate also includes a small London weighting allowance!

Thanks all.
I'm just crawling along until July then that's me done!

A lot of our newer TAs are hired through an employment agency. A friend in HR told me how much the school pays the agency per TA, per day (9am–3pm, minus break & lunch) ..... £400!! 😳

I don't know how much the agency TAs are paid from that £400 though

I've not RTFT but I do know the amount TAs get paid and it absolutely disgusts me.

My child has a TA due to their needs and she is an absolute star. I would quadruple her salary if it was in my gift.

Says something doesn't it, especially given that most TAs are not just general class TAs these days they're normally giving much more bespoke levels of care for children with various needs that they could be better paid working in a supermarket.

Nothing wrong with working in a supermarket of course....but it shows how much our government value our children, especially those with extra needs when the people who help them so much and make such a huge difference to them get paid such a bloody pittance.

I find that hard to believe.

1. How can the school afford that?

1. Highest teacher supply rate is around £240 , even if the agency took half (doubtful it would be more than that and highly immoral if not illegal ) , I don't see how a TA would be on that. Especially since they can get an actual (less experienced)teacher in for a lot less.

I know and it’s totally outrageous. And nursery staff. Two of the most important jobs in the world I’d say, the people we are entrusting our most precious children to! There has to be some action. Feel bloody helpless

I agree @PaperDoIIs , I find it hard/impossible to believe!
So for supply teachers, is the £240 amount you mention the amount the agency charges, or the amount the supply teacher receives?

Where I am, the agencies get roughly £140-150 a day and the TA will get anything from £70-85 from this amount depending on the agency. This amount per day includes their holiday pay.

As an agency SEN TA I was on £85 a day.

8:30- 3:30 half an hour break no holiday pay.

Permanent contract with the same school 23k FTE but it works out about 11.50 an hour.

I don't have a fixed class and can sometimes work in 8 different classes a day from primary to year 11. But I was desperate for a fixed contract because whilst some areas are 'crying out' for tas ours isn't and the agency work wasn't as reliable as anticipated.

There's a general downer amongst the staff in my school at the moment and my friends in other schools but its still better than other industries in my opinion

I was looking at becoming a SEN TA because I want to do something fulfilling, so this thread is eye-opening. Is it possible to negotiate the salary?

This is bollocks on steroids. I see all invoices for all things that pass through our academies and I've e never seen a TA (LSA is the correct term) day rate for more than £132 including VAT, non London non fringe.

@logo1236 This is my job title and until recently that is exactly what I did. Loved it! Now I am being used as cheap supply, covering staff absences and teaching classes of 30 with no TA. All for £11.67 an hour. This is now common in schools.
I'm leaving in July and returning to uni to do a Masters.

Is LSA the correct term? I’m guessing it’s semantics really as my contract very much says TA.

@SquirrelHash what is "LSA"?

So you are non-London? My school is in London

@logo1236 Is it possible to negotiate the salary?

I suppose you could always try! But the rates seem very much fixed by the council

Why is interventions in inverted commas? You doubt they happen? Or what?

Inverted commas because I'm quoting what pp has called the group sessions she does. OK?

OP and others are being taken for mugs if they're teaching whole classes for TA pay. Refuse and the Head get supply teachers in.

Have you ever asked your head if they'll pay overtime for the hours you're teaching? Might take the sting out of it a bit, even if it's just for the last few months.

@PaperDoIIs Thank you ❤️
I've been at the school for five years and up until this year it was the case that for any cover I did it I was paid my teacher rate. It helped massively re paying the rent, bills, car repairs, things for kids because there's a big difference between £32-ish p/h and £11.67, especially as a low-income family.
However, we had a new bursar join us last year and she has now said no to this as there is not enough money in the budget.
All of my teaching colleagues are appalled that I'm covering their absences on HLTA pay but what can they do?
My job title is 1-1 SEN HLTA and this was a role I adored with a passion, but now I have been taken away from this to provide cheap class cover. The EHCP/SEMH/SEND children I was initially employed to work with are now left struggling in mainstream classes of 30.
Sadly I've decided I can no longer continue the way things are and will be returning to study to do a Masters (MSc Counselling Children and Young People) from September.
I'm genuinely gutted.

sounds like you have made the right decision

@notknowledgeable I think so. I just feel so sad for the kids I'm leaving behind I will miss them 😞

Will you be teaching part time whilst you do your course?

@howshouldibehave Yes I will need to. Course pt so doable.

This is so sad that they’ll be losing you over such unfair pay. Can imagine how heartbreaking leaving those kids will be.

May I ask if you have a grant to afford further studies?