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Primary education

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Question about TA support

5 replies

asdx2 · 10/01/2011 12:49

Dd 7 has a statement and 20 hrs per week of TA support specified. Currently the whole of this support is covered by one TA who dd loves.
Spoke to HT today and he is proposing that dd is supported in numeracy by one TA, literacy by another TA with her usual TA covering the remaining hours. The reason being he said that dd's TA isn't really experienced at supporting a high ability child and he feels that other TA's would be better placed.
Now I don't particularly mind and suspect dd will benefit really because her usual TA whilst being lovely doesn't really push dd to do her best.
But dd has an emotional attachment to her TA which keeps her anxiety down and enables her to work in the class easier so slightly worried that dd will lose confidence with the TA gone.
Is it common for a primary SEN child to be supported by more than one TA and is it advantageous? Many thanks

OP posts:
IndigoBell · 10/01/2011 12:52

Bizarre. Surely the teacher is setting the work, and the TA is just supporting DD by helping her to focus / not get too anxious etc.

Why would the TA need to be able to do the work? Your DD is doing the work...

Although truly scary that a 7 year old is better at Maths and English than a TA....

If she was older, say Y5, and you were starting to help her prepare for moving to secondary school then this might be a good idea as part of her transition plan. But I think 7 is too young to be worrying about that.

asdx2 · 10/01/2011 13:03

I don't really understand it either apart from I suspect dd doesn't really try that hard and the TA doesn't push her because what she achieves without trying "is enough"
I only know that when she sits assessments the work she produces then independently is significantly better than what she does in class with TA support Confused (she is fiercely competitive though)
Ds always had one TA all through primary and has a team now in secondary so that's what I'm used to but dd goes to a larger primary with more TA's so I'm not sure if there is a difference.
I suppose I'll have to speak to the HT again before I am introduced to the different TA's so I know more about why there is going to be a change.

OP posts:
PaisleyLeaf · 10/01/2011 14:41

One day that TA might not be there for your DD at all. This sounds like a good opportunity for your DD to get used to support from different people while the usual TA will be around for the remaining activities.

mrz · 10/01/2011 17:25

As a Senco I think it is an excellent idea. It prevents a child becoming over dependent on one person and each TA will have different strengths and weaknesses.

nymphadora · 10/01/2011 17:45

I think they realise that the usual TA doesn't push her enough & want more experienced ones to try. It's good not to get over reliant on one TA but they will need to make changes properly & not rush it.

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