HLTA (qualified teacher) being used as cover

[LorlieS]

AIBU to feel miffed about this?

I'm a qualified teacher with 20 years' experience but stepped down from class teaching about five years ago as workload was ridiculous and I wasn't having any time with my own children. I'm now working as an HLTA, specialising in supporting children with EHCPs. Love it. Hard work for appalling pay but it's my "thing." I take responsibility of interventions (both 1:1 and group) and ensuring work on EHCP targets is undertaken. Feels great to have autonomy whilst (hopefully) making a difference and I really get to know the children I work with.

However, it's a huge primary I work in and I find I am being pulled away from my job more and more to cover classes for staff absences. Very rarely with a TA and full class of 30. High SEN needs in all classes.

I used to get paid my teacher rate for such cover but now with budgets being what they are I dont; I am just paid my normal HLTA rate.

School loathe to get supply in as expensive.

I should start by saying I don’t work in education, so forgive me if any of this doesn’t work!

I’ve been strict in the past that even if someone is more capable, I can only expect them to work at the level I’m paying them at. So are you “teaching” or “covering” when asked to cover a class? If you’re being paid a HLTA rate, can you step back what you’re doing to work at that level?

I see a lot of posts suggesting different jobs, but have you actually talked to your Head about this properly? Been clear that it is unfair to load cover on you not share it among the TAs, if you’re not going to be paid a teaching rate? For that I think you need to be clear what outcome you want: do you want to be paid the higher rate (still probably cheaper than supply!) or not to do so much cover?

My impression is that you have a fair bit of power here. I don’t know where you’re based, but there are so many TA vacancies round me, it’s very easy for them to walk away from a school because it’s easy to get a new job.

My impression is that you have a fair bit of power here. I don’t know where you’re based, but there are so many TA vacancies round me, it’s very easy for them to walk away from a school because it’s easy to get a new job.

I doubt it. If you want to be paid at the HLTA rate of support staff (rather than the slightly lower TA rate which most of the jobs advertised are paying) then in the majority of schools you will also be expected to do high levels of cover.

I wouldn’t say there are loads of HLTA jobs so no I don’t think OP has a lot of power. If she doesn’t do it then they’ll get someone else who will.

The issue is I'm I'm only just covering things financially as it is on HLTA pay; I can't drop down to TA. My salary only just covers our full monthly rent. Hubby works ft but in social care (very proud wife!) so his salary is not great either.
I have to cover.

Just because they will doesn't mean they can. That's where her "power" comes from. There's a reason why she's being picked so often to cover and why the expectations are higher. They know they actually get teaching rather than cover for peanuts.

@PaperDoIIs Being perfectly frank, I think the priority for most schools now is keeping within budgets. We can't even ask for paper clips and envelopes now. I kid you not.

Trust me I know, I'm a TA. I still think you should try and negotiate, either overtime for when you cover , or cover being split equally. I have done this before as like you I get picked a lot to cover , sometimes without even another TA and while I'm not actually a teacher I can do it and do it well so they're keen to keep me around as I'm good and cheap.

@LorlieS that doesn't mean you can't ask for a level playing field. They are taking advantage.

@stomachameleon I can't risk not doing what I'm asked. I've checked with my teaching union and nothing they are doing is illegal.

Possibly, but if a head has a choice between two people on the same money-one of whom will cover classes happily and one who won’t and says they want to do less cover or more money-then they will probably prefer the first, even if the second is slightly better!

Sorry: how frustrating for you.

best approach the head and explain what you enjoy and what you’re unhappy about (all the teaching and the non teaching wage) and can he arrange for the supply cover to be spilt evenly between you and the other HLTAs

Thanks all. Dreading first day back tomorrow. Had hoped to catch up with all of the kids in the class I'm based in after Christmas (including the EHCP group) but instead I'm covering a teacher absence again (class of 30 in isolated mobile, no TA).
Doesn't help I'm also feeling really rough (?Covid) with blurry vision. Yuck.

@Shinyandnew1 sure, a rubbish head would do that and OP.That's not the situation though, as she's already employed and they can't just fire her on the spot. Even if they could/would, that would cost them time and money in recruiting and replacing her. Plus training and having other people covering while they are recruiting.She can ask, she should ask. All they can do say is say no. Not all cover is the same and issues with safeguarding,performance,learning,behaviour etc. can and do arise when it's not great. There's a reason they mostly pick OP to do cover. She has value.

If the situation is really crap OP should look at other available positions.

If you don't feel well then call in sick.

Again, you are NOT a teacher. You are NOT responsible for covering this work.

You are a paraprofessional and the shit pay comes with lack of responsibility. You rock up when well, do your job, leave on time.

The professionals are paid to take the pain.

@ditalini I can't - the class need covering. I'd feel like I'm letting them down. I'm OK - just a bad cough with a headache. Just hoping the blurred vision doesn't come back like it's been on and off today as need to be able to drive in. I'll manage if I can see!
In five years I think I've had two weeks and three days off. I didn't want to take those two weeks but consultant said I had to following emergency surgery for ruptured ectopic last year. I could have gone back earlier really.

Speak to the head

@ditalini I am with you and clearly your not the only hlta. You are looking at this like a teacher. And your not.

Not even going to address the covid thing.

@stomachameleon I'd still feel guilty for not going in. You still can with Covid now anyway.

See if you can find a position in a private school.

The state system has always squeezed people til their pips squeak. speaking as a state school teacher myself.

@Waterybrook I've thought about this but wondered re SEMH provision which is my absolute passion?

@LorlieS I know it's up to you but I teach too. There is no way I would spend all day in a mobile, with 30 kids some of whom will have vulnerable relatives with covid. I just couldn't.

If you are unwell and there is no more cover then they will have to pay for cover. Why be a martyr?

@LorlieS what about a special Ed school?

@stomachameleon I have applied for these but don't really have the qualifications they're looking for. A lot require skills in working with non-verbal children - ability to sign etc. I fit more into SEMH.

No that's not right. Other HLTA's that didn't happen to be qualified teachers wouldn't be asked to do it would they?
In the other hand, you get to do the teaching role but not the dull, time consuming stuff like marking, lesson planning, assessments. Supposedly you still get to leave on time too... unlike teachers