Ta to child ratio

[Countrygirlxo]

AIBU to think that one newish member of staff to 60 kids in a playground, even for 5 minutes is not okay? Younger years primary school aged.
The normal ratio is 1:13 so 1:60 at any time, playground or not is surely not right..?

What age are the children?

Between 4 and 6

Are they YR and above?

30 in reception, 30 in yr1

In my experience it’s pretty normal. There are plenty of other adults very nearby if needed.

There were no adults nearby. Is 1 adult to 60 kids allowed?

I think for early years and foundation there are set limits but after that it's up to the school to risk assess and make a decision.

I've been on day supply and stuck on a field with an entire KS2 so 240 kids 🤷🏻‍♂️

Nah I think it’s fine. Not ideal but but ok. It shouldn’t be planned to be that way, but if staff absence , 1 pops to the loo, 1 attending to a 1st incident, adult supervising 2 classes, at play, fine.

Schools are short staffed and all workers need a break. If needed, other adults would be made available.

I do duty as a teacher - me plus 60 children. 2 other staff are outside but supporting high needs children who often leave the playground so the adults go with them and I am left alone. There are other adults in the building that I could send for in an emergency. 1 new ta on their own does sound a bit questionable but I am not sure what you mean by normal 1:13 ratio.

Don’t think there are ratios for break time

Not ideal. It only takes two children to bump heads so you have two children needing first aid, plus the rest of the children still need to be supervised- however that is how it is more and more with lack of funding for TA’s.

I’ve had times when it’s just me supervising over 300 children. It’s bonkers.

It's not best practice but pretty normal especially if other staff are nearby; usually staff on duty have a walkie talkie so they can call if they need support.

I am the same OP. TA supervising all of KS2 on playground on my own at lunch. It’s scary and not safe.

Not enough funding for more staff

It's normal but not ok. My dd fell cut her head and had a massive bump. One member of staff supervising so she was sent to the toilet with another child (age 7) to mop up as best they can with paper towels and tap water. I complained. They said sorry staff would be reminded head injuries need seen by first aider but followed up with but they can't leave the kids unsupervised in the playground so the staff member did the best they could in that situation. Shocking really. A walky talky could solve the problem of not leaving the playground.

I'm a midday Supervisor in primary and ive had 100 kids on my own before.there is no law I've googled it.

Can you link to the statutory framework for this ‘normal’ ratio of 1:13?

Are you sure that’s not for nursery age?

Not a 1:13 ratio with reception children, that would be nursery. It’s not ideal but it’s allowed.

Was the staff member a teacher? Did they have separate support for first aid? We're children with 1:1 allocation supported?

Just a TA, not first aid trained and no other adult in the classrooms or in the playground.

Teachers need a break! Time for a wee and a swig of water. Where are you going to find extra people to do duty? Teacher can probably get help very quickly if necessary.

So all admin, teaching, SLT and site staff had left the school grounds?

Unfortunately there is simply not enough staff in many schools because the budgets are so appalling.