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.

Keep trying. There are lots of different kinds of independent schools.

im going to look for a position in a private school next.

@rollonretirementfgs All HLTAs can be asked to cover, it's just I am more than most. My official hours are 8.30 - 3.30. I'm in by 8.15 but do have to leave by 3.50 to pick up my toddler. I would say I leave normally around 3.50 so that's not too bad, and means I can collect my sons from secondary without them having to wait too long.
If I'm any later my mum goes nuts at me!! Which I understand. She's 68 and has my daughter 2 full days a week. I normally get to hers around 4.25 ish.

@LorlieS that's a shame. Where I am they would bite your hand off.

@HamstersAreMyLife Not like solicitors or barristers then? When I had family court proceedings they charged extortionate rates and literally hundreds for a five-minute call!! Never known anything like it!!

You sound like you would be fantastic working in a student support/ pastoral role. I do this in a large secondary school, better rate of pay than HLTA and not expected to take work home, though some of my colleagues in pastoral can't help themselves.
Seriously though, speak to your Head. I'm sure they won't want to lose you and may be amenable to your requests.

Ha I'm a barrister but don't work for myself anymore and only did LA work so definitely nothing like your solicitors! The pace was relentless so I'm glad to be out of it in many ways, tbh I had no choice after I had kids, I couldn't cope with it and couldn't afford a nanny which is how most people I know managed. Hope your return goes OK despite the cover you'll be doing.

Wanted some advice please on HLTA and what’s right. My son who is 6 has Autism. In year 1 last year he did AM in Y1 then went into a specialist class for additional needs PM. This year Y2 the same except he now needs to move to specialist class FT as struggling. ECHP pending. My issue is last year the school had a FT qualified teacher and 2 TAs. He told us the school was over budget on the specialist class. At end of term last year the qualified teacher of 6 years was upset and told us she had been made redundant and loving to a different school. Being suspicious I looked into teaching staff this year. Turns out there’s 1x HLTA and 2x TAs plus a part time qualified teacher. I demanded to know the PT teacher hours I was told she’s present in school on Thurs only and plans and prepares all lessons but is only present in class Thurs Pm 12.30-330. I’ve complained this is wrong as only children in whole school without a QT is kids with additional needs. Wanted peoples opinion if you agree. I also feel it’s a misuse of the HLTA role as states 3 days max short term only. Clearly it’s done as a cost cutting excercise my complaint states all this plus discrimination as only kids without QT is additional needs like my son with Autism. She should have same experienced teacher as everyone else.