To expect my reception child to have a qualified teacher?

[MaryBeardy]

DS is in reception. I was told by another mum his teacher has been off for a few days. I asked DS who was teaching him and he said the two teaching assistants that help across reception and occasionally a teacher from a different class. Should there not be a qualified teacher present at all times (or at the very least one in training that has some supervision)? I’m feeling a bit annoyed this hasn’t been communicated by the school but don’t know if I’m being unreasonable. TIA

Having done supply work through agency in the past my experience is there is a big difference between what they email about and what is actually available!

OP, it is not ok for TAs to take the class. Yes, you should expect - and your child deserves- a qualified teacher to cover illness.

Most likely yes.

There are different levels of TA.
TA3 and TA4 can take a class.
This is how PPA time is covered.
In our school many of the TAs are qualified teachers so we have them on zero hour relief teacher contracts. Pull them from their TA role and they can teach for a few days in case of illness.

Assuming they pay them the correct salary.

No. In reception her child deserves people who knows her child well and how the (often free flow) classroom operates.

Some classes, like reception and like my special school class are far better covered by unqualified TAs who know the quirks of the children and of the strategies used, than by a random qualified teacher who doesn't.

When I retired, I was asked to come back to my school for the occasional day or two of supply, in classes of children I didn't know. Even with my decades of experience, I was useless and relied heavily on the TAs on the class. I didn't know the children, I didn't know what might trigger the most autistic ones to have a meltdown, so I had to step aside and let the TAs manage situations.

I once spent a day in a mainstream free flow reception class. I couldn't work out what was going on. It all seemed kind of chaotic yet organised at the same time. Fortunately I wasn't running the place, but had I been there on supply, again, I'd have been useless.

Yes. We deduct the TA rate hours and on their other completely separate zero hour contract we pay those hours at teacher rate.

It's fine, OP - but you can bet that the TAs aren't given any extra payment or reward for their stepping up. One of my friends is a TA, more than competent, but also has to 'act up' regularly for no pay.

@ExpressCheckout Exactly this. I'm a qualified teacher of 20 plus years but after having my third child returned to work as a SEN 1:1 HLTA. It was brilliant.
But then they decided to use me to cover classes across the school when teachers were absent. In essence I was far cheaper than supply (paid my £13 ph HLTA rate).
I'm now an EOTAS Tutor 🌟

My son is in year 4 and hasn't had a teacher at all this school year, just a combination of 3 TAs and an occasional maths lesson from the headteacher. His class only has 18 kids in which apparently means they can't afford a teacher :(

@TheTealZebra That's unacceptable. Have any of the parents complained?

In all honesty when you have a supply for just one day she totally relies on the TAs to tell her what to do.

My school permanently doesn't have a qualified teacher teaching reception. I have no idea if this is allowed . And I don't think the parents realise she is not qualified

@Brickiscool It really is shocking and it's only going to get worse. I left primary teaching after 20 years last December and it's the best thing I've ever done. Now an EOTAS Tutor working for the LA 🌟

Oh yes, plenty of complaints. The head says there is nothing he can do, they don't have the money and that's it. Otherwise, he talks about what a great job the TAs are doing. Very frustrating.

@TheTealZebra what size are the classes either side? Has mixed age classes been considered

My friend is a TA. Completely unqualified - failed every GCSE - only took it up when she returned to the workplace after 15 years. Previously she worked in retail.....she is often left to "teach" I find it outrageous to be honest

There is another Year 4 class with 22 kids. Year 3 and below are reasonably full. Year 5 and 6 they just have one class per year group. It's a central-ish London school with no good secondary schools nearby, so everyone starts upping and moving from about Year 4 onwards.

The rules were changed ages from there having to be a qualified teacher in front of a class. The amount of teaching TAs have to do is an absolute scandal and has been for years.

We pay extra when a TA steps up.

I was never paid extra.

It depends on the school - I do as I think it’s only fair.