HLTA use

[Phil6023]

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 Thurs AM but is only present in class teaching 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. I’ve also pointed out the children needing the most help receive the least qualified staff.

Well, you're right. Sadly schools are doing this and there may not be any satisfactory change following your complaint, but you're right. We'll done for challenging it, you've made your points very clearly.

I completely agree with you on principle. However, if his ehcp is pending, then school are receiving no money to support him.

Do you think he needs the specialist class? Realistically, they are unlikely to be able to fund this class to have a full time teacher.

Thank you. Been to hell and back with the school head. I’ve made official complaints to education board the school the council the SEN team within education board and to school and lastly to Ofsted. The fact they ended contract of FT teacher means they cannot claim can’t find or recruit a teacher etc. also complained to equality commision so I’ve been a busy boy. The school refused to say ended contract if previous teacher. Shame I got an email of her clarifying it. I won’t rest. No way is my son being treated differently. Not a chance. Next step will be contacting all parents from same class then I’ve no issue with standing at gates with leaflets telling parents what they’ve done I’m absolutely disgusted. At day 9 of 10 awaiting complaint response from head. His own policy online states must respond within 24 hours to acknowledge complaint and respond within 10. He was quite taken a back at my in depth knowledge of the teacher and what they did and the school finances which I’ve studied. I’ve also done a FOI request for all meeting notes and responses in board meetings give or meetings and emails about how the teacher was made redundant and reasons objections and any other relevant points discussed about how a HLTA was replaced her.

If it’s an academy you don’t have a leg to stand on as they don’t have to employ qualified teachers.

All children under SEN get an additional 3k on top of normal school funding. Yes my son needs to go into the specialist group now FT. Wish wasn’t the case but it’s become very clear stepping up to Y2 which is as both we and school expected tbh.

Is it an academy? Thanks to Gove academies don’t have to have qualified teachers.

What do you mean by ‘under SEN’? Are you in England?

Pretty certain not an academy. Never ever seen anything stating this and school website has no mention of this.

I applaud your energy. With schools being underfunded and no requirement to have a qualified teacher in academies this is increasingly happening. I suggest you channel some of your energy higher up- the system needs change. Unfortunately inclusion (and the closing of special schools) was coopted into a big opportunistic cost cutting exercise. We have a new government- everyone needs to use some of their creativity and communication skills to raise awareness of unacceptable practices like this.

I’m no expert just recently read up a lot. I’ve read if a child is identified as SEN ther school claim an additional 3k per child. If ECHP granted then average additional funding is 6k max 8k I believe. Yes in England

Not true.

How many children are in the class in the SEN base?

If they're over budget, they need to do something. It sounds like a provision that lots of other schools don't even have so you're better off than some.

Definately not an academy. Checked on Gov site

Normal classes have about 30 kids the specialist class has about 15. My real issue is why should children be treated differently based on their ability and disability? Every other child has a QT.

Often HLTAs are more experienced with SEN groups than regular teachers. Many of them are also qualified teachers, who don't want the stress of all the planning and data etc. I wouldn't worry unless you see a downturn in your child's behaviour or progress.

Unfortunately schools have to find the £3,000 from their own budget before it gets topped up by EHCP funding. If you imagine how many children there are needing this support it takes a large chunk out of the school budget. Believe me I am not saying these children don't deserve or are not entitled to resources but in many schools the funding just is not there.

This isn’t true in the England. For children with an ECHP school have to fund the first 6k of the provision themsleves and some children will only be entitled to that much support.

Unfortunately, the extra money that comes with a SEND child does not automatically pay for their teacher. It gets swallowed up in the huge pit of outgoings as there will never be enough money to go round. And you will need a lot of SEND pupils and their 3K to pay £36+ for a qualified teacher. The numbers just don't add up. I have worked in two schools that have used TAs to run classes for SEND pupils. They have actually been pretty successful in both cases.

In principle, I agree that all our children deserve to be taught by a fantastic teacher. Unfortunately, that doesn't necessarily equate with every qualified teacher. There are some shit ones out there. Equally, there are some incredible, talented TAs and HLTAs that I would be happy for my children to be taught by.
It's a crisis of huge proportions and I think schools are just trying their best under incredibly difficult circumstances. I wouldn't go back to it for a big clock!

Wow OP I think your son is really lucky to be able to go into a small specialist class with only 15 kids. Your son is already being treated differently by being in a class with half the number of kids to normal, HLTA's can be brilliant and be more experienced than some teachers (or have been teachers themselves previously). I wouldn't complain too much or they might just cut the class and put all the SEN kids back in with the others with just an extra TA in the classroom. I don't think you realise how lucky you are!

Normally to get into a specialist class, you need an EHCP already in place as admissions done by SEN team, not school. So at the moment if in there full time is additional to the LA agreed number. The funding for such units normally comes from LA, as no school can run a unit at a loss. The board may be looking to not have the unit any more.

If the school have set something up seperate to the LA, they can make decisions on how they fund and if the intention most are in their normal class for the morning (with a teacher), then the seperate unit in the afternoon when subjects other than English and Maths covered, then maybe the setting isn't right if your child needs more. A unit full time of 15 Reception to the oldest year is a challenge for any setting, so unlikely to get much contact with the teacher as might be split into 3 groups anyway.

If they are happy, that can be the hardest battle.

Children with SEND do not attract extra funding. Only EHCPs get extra funding. So the school are funding this class out of their core funding (it will be Element 2 funding, if you're interested).

Is the group meeting his needs? Would he cope in mainstream?

The easiest way for him to have access to a teacher would be for him to be back in his mainstream class. He might then get a small amount of TA support. Would that meet his needs?

This is not correct. EHCPs can have >20k attached, if the need is that significant.