Teenagers as young as 16 are to be drafted into primary schools to plug gaps left by teacher shortages.

[mrz]

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/education/2494303/16-year-olds-to-work-in-primary-schoo ls.html
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2470005/Increasing-number-of-children-being-taught-by-classroom-assi stants.html

We had 5 in on work experience and sent 2 back on the second day because of their attitude (they were good at the eye rolling to be fair to them ) The other's kept asking when it was break time or disappearing to the loo whenever they thought no one would notice. When one was asked if she thought she might like to work in a school the answer was "gawd noooooooo! I want to be a hairdresser / nail technician" The result is my school has said they won't take work experience students in future. We also had 2 work experience students from a local college who were nearly as bad in their attitude.

Just remembered years ago we used to have prefects taking lessons at my grammar school if there was a teacher shortage. Mind, they were 18 but some of them were excellent.

We've had a few who have been absolutely brilliant, 2 boys and a girl from memory who really connected with the children and sub-consciously 'knew' what needed to be done.

My own 16 year old dd - never!

Another point the articles make - 'teaching assistants earn an average £50 a day'. I wish! Surely they are basing that figure on a 35hr/52 week year? (Unless I am SERIOUSLY underpaid!)

I just wonder why? The school I work for has a huge number of high quality applicants for LSA jobs. Most the LSA positions are part time and very attractive to Mum's army. (Incidently Mum's army are very bright, talented and good at their job. Its probably why some teachers see them as a threat.)

The majority of the LSAs I work with have degrees and have chosen to be an LSA to fit in with family commitments.

I have had some fantastic 16 year olds in the classroom who are bright, pro-active, the little kids love them etc, but then sometimes you get someone completely useless. It's not about age, it's about personality/brains/being willing to muck in.

Agree though that there are plenty of mums who want to be TAs.

Surely a 16 year old who is as talented as you describe should be training to do something or A-levels.

Prehaps that talented 16 year old could be the new and talented NQT in 6to 8 years time.

I had a 16 year old work experience girl to "help" in my class once who had lower literacy skills than the children I taught! (they were in year 4)

Realised after a few days that it was not a good idea to ask the pupils to go to her for spellings when they were writing or expect her to hear readers.