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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Teachers please?

18 replies

Aaaarghhh · 13/02/2025 22:55

Wondering if Mumsnet could give me some advice.

As I assume lots of schools do, in my school when a teacher is away/absent/on a course, the class is covered by a TA. They have to do the duties that the teacher would normally do etc.

Incident happened where a teacher was absent and it was her assembly day. The TA covering this teacher 'told' me right there and then, as we were in the hall, that I would have to do it.

I refused, as it was not my week and I was not the one covering that class's teacher.

I have been in trouble for this - as it happened I was the only teacher there (the other two classes were both being covered by TAs that day) and the headteacher says I should have done it because of that.

I think she is wrong. What do you think?

I do cover many many times and this time I had planned jobs to do during the assembly time (we go back to our classes if we are not leading the assembly). The covering TA was acting as the class teacher at that time and therefore should have done the assembly (as nothing had been planned, she actually just read bible stories to them which anyone can do).

Sorry, this is hard to explain..

OP posts:

JamNittyGritty · 13/02/2025 23:00

No way should a TA be expected to just jump in and cover an assembly. So as a teacher more you than them IMO. However in these circumstances I would really have expected either a senior leader to cover it or for the assembly to be cancelled.

MuddyPawsIndoors · 13/02/2025 23:04

If the HT is siding with the TA then it looks like she was right and you should've done it 🤷‍♂️

Readmorebooks40 · 13/02/2025 23:04

Primary teacher here, the TA should not have to lead assembly, absolutely not. As the only teacher there I understand why you would be expected to either take charge or cancel the assembly for that day.

BallerinaRadio · 13/02/2025 23:06

As the only teacher there I find it quite bizarre that you would just refuse to take the assembly and walk off, I can see why the head would definitely be annoyed.

everychildmatters · 13/02/2025 23:06

But TAs can teach full classes now, right?

Ablondiebutagoody · 13/02/2025 23:19

If I was the teacher, I would have done it. Wouldn't have been the best assembly ever but no big deal. TA shouldn't have been expected to do it.

Can't believe you just said no and walked off to your classroom!

saraclara · 13/02/2025 23:23

In all my years of teaching I've never known or expected a TA to do an assembly. It's absolutely not part of their role, even if they are covering the class. They simply are not paid enough for this.

I'd absolutely have stepped in, though I'd have expected my head of year/ key stage to have anticipated this and asked me to do it earlier.

saraclara · 13/02/2025 23:25

Actually, I'm thinking that this must be a reverse. Are you actually the TA, @Aaaarghhh ?

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 13/02/2025 23:27

Some higher level TA's would do this without a second thought, however they shouldn't feel forced to....

TheUsualChaos · 13/02/2025 23:27

If they were that short staffed why not just cancel the assembly for that week? Not the end of the world surely? And the poor TAs at your school as well!

Cakeandusername · 13/02/2025 23:30

So you are the only teacher in assembly and a TA told you to do it?
It sounds like school need a clearer system. If teacher is off does a TA have to do all her role inc assembly or are some jobs like taking assembly teacher only.
It sounds like a management failure they should have ensured all the teachers tasks were covered if she was off. It’s not for a TA to assign you work.
Not sure what you mean by you’ve been in trouble?

Hercisback1 · 13/02/2025 23:32

Is this a reverse?

Otherwise you're wildly unreasonable.

ChompandaGrazia · 13/02/2025 23:33

I wouldn’t have expected the TA to cover assembly. If the teacher was absent due to a pre planned reason then they should have sorted cover.
If it’s due to illness then I’d hope that someone should have noticed and taken it.

Personally I, a teacher, would have taken it but I’d have had to do some quick thinking to come up with a suitable story.

I would not expect the TA to do it under any circumstances, unless they really wanted to.

Dramatic · 13/02/2025 23:36

I wouldn't expect a TA to cover an assembly no.

mammabing · 14/02/2025 07:43

No way should a TA lead an assembly. The assembly would either be cancelled or switch round the rota so you do this week and the absent teacher covers yours next time you’re due to deliver it.

ArghhWhatNext · 14/02/2025 07:48

We get a teams message first thing to says who is covering what. I’d never expect a TA to cover an assembly. It all sounds a bit shambolic to be honest - why didn’t the HT step in and cover? Or just cancel?
whichever way, in my experience you can never rely on those snatches of quiet time to get things done, especially in a small school.

OldChinaJug · 14/02/2025 07:49

As a teacher, I would have expected to cover the assembly, for SLT to stand in or for the assembly to be cancelled. A TA isn't ever expected to cover an assembly.

I'd assume that you're either a new/inexperienced teacher to not have realised this or work in a school where staff morale is low.

At my school, teachers would offer to cover or take it for granted that we would. We might grumble privately about missing that extra 20 mins of class time to get our own stuff done but no one would refuse!

saraclara · 14/02/2025 09:26

I do cover many many times and this time I had planned jobs to do during the assembly time (we go back to our classes if we are not leading the assembly).

So basically you'd be leaving the TA in charge of three classes, AND leading the whole thing with no notice? With no adult support? There absolutely should always be a teacher present in that situation.

You couldn't have been more at fault. There's a reason that teachers are paid more. They have more responsibility.

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