I'm a teacher and happy to answer any questions

[DellaF83]

Hi, I'm an experienced primary school teacher and happy to answer any questions anyone may have.

[rabbitstew]

I can answer that one. Sperm whales are actually relevant to everything. The power behind the throne in this country is actually a huge sperm whale hidden in the cellars of Buckingham Palace. David Cameron visits it nightly.

[ClayDavis]

I though the royal family were lizard overlords not sperm whale overlords.

[mineofuselessinformation]

Blimey, OP didn't last long, did she?

[FavoriteThings]

Maybe she lives overseas.

[ClementineKelandra]

Would you advise parents to ask for advice about their child's education from a random stranger on the Internet -who could really just be a hairy arsed truckdriver-- or would it be better to speak to their actual teacher?

[Pizzahutlover]

Shes gone lots of laughs you all put her off :)

[TheGerontocracy]

Why did you pick Primary instead of Secondary?

Did you think your subject knowledge wasn't good enough?

[mrz]

Could it be because the OP said they are a primary teacher TheGerontocracy?

[SweepTheHalls]

Primary and secondary teaching is entirely different. I couldn't teach primary as the idea of such a wide range of subjects and the same children in front of me with virtually no break for 6hours is awful, so I teach secondary!

[jasminerose]

If in the pilot only 40% reached the expected levels on elgs targets what were the percentages reached in the first year? I dont know where to find the answer. Thanks

[SaltySeaBird]

I've been considering a career change into teaching on and off for a number of years.

Everyone says the PGCE and NCT years are very intense, what are your experiences, either your own or that of others you've worked with (I have a 12mo so I'm not sure whether to wait a few more years).

How family friendly is the profession? Opportunities for part time work etc and are the term time working hours as hideous as most teachers I've met say?

[mrz]

They haven't been published yet jasminerose

[jasminerose]

Thank you mrz

[NewNameforNewTerm]

I can answer Starlight. These are the scenarios when a pupil's TA will not be working one-to-one with them during the school day: -
When I, as class teacher, am spending some one-to-one or small group time teaching them and the TA (HLTA) is supporting the rest of the class.
When it is an activity that requires group work, then the TA will have more children with her to create that group.
When it is not in the best interests of the child. e.g. the IEP is focusing on peer social interactions; you can't do that on your own with a TA, or if the child is becoming more dependent on that TA than is necessary or healthy. In which case I would sometimes expect the TA to start the child on the given activity, then move away for a few minutes (maybe helping other pupils within the room), returning to check at regular intervals that the child understands what is expected, is on task and coping.

Whilst I recognise the enormous value of one-to-one TAs, there are issues where I have concerns; -
That they are used to withdraw children from lessons too often. Children have a right to be taught by the teacher.
They facilitate children in avoiding thinking for themselves and developing independence at a level that they are actually capable of.
They actually prevent, rather than facilitate as some people assume, the child's integration into the class group by isolating them from their peers during group activities.

[insanityscratching]

But Newname if it's specified and quantified as 1 to 1 then the parent will undoubtedly have gone to Tribunal, used expert witnesses and had assessments done by specialists ( because LA's if left unchallenged will issue wishy washy statements) who have determined that 1 to 1 is what is needed. So by utilising a TA as you see fit you are in fact not meeting the statement (a legal document) and considering yourself more knowledgeable than the experts.
I speak as the parent of a ds who had a statement specifying 1 to 1 since his first days in nursery who now in an independent specialist school works happily 1 to 3 and a dd who has a statement giving her more support than she needs and so I don't mind her TA picking up other children.

[NewNameforNewTerm]

That is where the letter of the law and statements fall down. How do I address the "develop social interactions with their peers" aspect of a statement or "develop self help skills", or "work independently" with the expectation of constant one-to-one? Once I sit another child with the group it is no longer one-to-one. But the statement requires developing skills to work with peers. ... Can you see what I'm frustrated by?
Following the letter of the law / statement would mean the child sitting one-to-one with the TA and no other children.

I am not considering myself "more knowledgeable" than the "experts" I am saying the statements are often contradictory.

As a parent would you rather a child with a statement has a TA who just does all the academic work with / for her or him and so the child never really integrates into a mainstream school or has an opportunity to work with friends. I realise parents do have to fight their child's corner, but as a SENCo I will also say some statements are barmy in their contradictions or lack of understanding of how children with SEN still have a right to be part of a peer group.

[mrz]

I agree for some children having a TA attached at the hip creates a child dependent on a single adult far better they receive support from the teacher when appropriate. Of course there will be some children whose needs are such they need that level of support I just haven't met one who needs the same person with them 24/7.

[wakeupandsmellthecoffee]

I'm a TA for a child with SEN and NNNT I couldn't agree more.

[insanityscratching]

But in effect it is highly unlikely that any statement will specify 1 to 1 for the whole of the school day to take account of the fact that a child needs peer interaction.
I think parents experiences generally are though that teachers seem to consider a child's dedicated TA to be fair game for supporting other children/ photocopying/ wall displays etc rather than providing the support that is specified on the child's statement.
Dd is in a lovely school with a qualified and experienced TA (as stated on her statement) Because her teacher is sensitive to her needs then dd is very independent and needs minimum support from her TA and in that instance I don't care two hoots that her TA works with other children whilst dd works elsewhere but I'd say that I am in a minority because generally because of financial restraints statements cover the bare minimum of what a child needs rather than providing excessive resources to be shared out by teachers as they see fit.