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Original poster

Teaching staff

26 replies

mallet · 23/10/2008 20:19

Hi
does anyone know how long year 2 children are meant to have a qualified teacher with them in a week?

OP posts:
AbbeyA · 24/10/2008 08:15

I think you need to give some more information. Is it a state school? Are you talking about them being left with a TA?

Original poster
mallet · 25/10/2008 15:36

Yes it is a state school, and should they have a qualified teacher all day every day or can they have whole days with teaching assistants?
thanks

OP posts:
ratherbesleeping · 25/10/2008 15:48

Some schools use cover supervisors (TA's with some additional training) to cover classes. The work will have been planned by the teacher but delivered by theTA. However I would be concerned if this was happening on anything other than a v occasional basis eg to cover whilst teacher on a course.

SqueakyPop · 25/10/2008 15:52

ISTR that if a teacher absence is known to be more than three days, they should use a supply teacher rather than a HLTA or CS.

SqueakyPop · 25/10/2008 15:52

ISTR that if a teacher absence is known to be more than three days, they should use a supply teacher rather than a HLTA or CS.

pointygravedogger · 25/10/2008 15:53

in scotland - never

Original poster
mallet · 25/10/2008 20:46

Hi Squeakypop
please excuse my ignorance but what is ISTR HLTA and CS?

OP posts:
SqueakyPop · 25/10/2008 20:51

I seem to remember

High level teaching assistant

Cover supervisor

Original poster
mallet · 25/10/2008 20:55

thankyou

OP posts:
AbbeyA · 25/10/2008 23:06

I think they should have a qualified teacher all the time, except for odd times of up to 30mins.

Original poster
mallet · 26/10/2008 12:19

I am concerned as my son's teacher only seems to be there 1/2 day Monday, all tuesday,wendesday and thursday and not at all on a friday. Last week as she was ill he only had a qualified teacher for 1 day.I know sickness can't be helped but the general opinion is that the school dosen't have enough money for supply teachers, but is it really true that he should only have a qualified teacher for 3 1/2 days as the norm?

OP posts:
wheresthehamster · 26/10/2008 12:25

How do you know the person taking the class wasn't qualified?

Original poster
mallet · 26/10/2008 20:08

I was told by another mother at the school who is also a governor

OP posts:
CandleQueen · 26/10/2008 20:14

The work should be planned by teacher and can be delivered by HLTA but I would argue that 30% of the week is unreasonable.
(Five days a week, morning and afternoon sessions, therefore 1/2 day Monday and all day friday = 30%)
Our school can't afford supply, but Head covers classes if teacher out all day, with support from HLTA when he has to go off and do "head teacher type things"

Littlefish · 27/10/2008 21:04

AbbeyA - all teachers are entitled to 10% of the week as non-contact time for planning, preparation and assessment (PPA time). This can be covered by Teaching Assistants or Higher Level Teaching Assistants. Schools do not have to provide qualified teachers to cover PPA time.

AbbeyA · 28/10/2008 17:09

Schools should provide qualified teachers to cover PPA time IMO. I spent 1 yr doing that job throughout a school. Now that I have finished another qualified teacher has taken over.

AbbeyA · 28/10/2008 17:11

Some schools are using HLTAs because it is cheaper-that is the only reason.

TheFallenMadonna · 28/10/2008 17:15

Well, my ds's teacher's PPA time isn't covered by qualified teachers. It's covered by a language specialist, a dance specialist and a PE specialist. I think it works very well.

TheFallenMadonna · 28/10/2008 17:16

They're not TAs, they're instructors.

DD gets a HLTA one afternoon a week. She is in reception. I think is also fine.

AbbeyA · 28/10/2008 17:23

I have no problem with the use of specialists. Does the TA plan the work?

TheFallenMadonna · 28/10/2008 17:30

No idea

She is vastly experienced and I wouldn't mind if she did actually. She does good stuff with them for sure.

AbbeyA · 28/10/2008 17:35

If the teacher is having PPA time they shouldn't be planning the cover lesson-they should leave it all to the teacher.

AbbeyA · 28/10/2008 17:36

Sorry-the teacher covering their PPA time.

TheFallenMadonna · 28/10/2008 17:38

Then I'm sure that's how it is.

AbbeyA · 28/10/2008 17:54

Either it is unfair on the teacher because he/she is having to do the planning for a lesson in his/her absence or it is unfair on the HLTA who is doing a teacher's job without the pay.
Money is the only reason for having unqualified staff covering PPA time-the saving is huge!