TA teaching class since before half term?

[EducationQuery]

Name changed for this as I don't want to identify myself should anyone be lurking.

Teacher has been off since before half term. Fair enough, people get sick. But is a TA allowed to teach the class for weeks on end? It's not just been one TA either, sometimes it's been two or three in a week.

Can they do this?

I'm particularly concerned as child seems to have made minimal progress in last few months. Teacher hasn't heard them read since October (they have read to a helper, not TA or teacher each week). Child has been on same book band since I last complained in October, but is Generally whizzing through them. Doing what we can at home, but child somewhat demoralised by never moving up a level - we've had some books twice now. Maths seems pretty much the same.

Parents' evening is this week, but teacher won't be back, so I'm told.

How do I approach this with the school without sounding like a stereotypical pushy parent?

They don't have to use a supply teacher if it's a long term absence?

I have no idea if they are using a HLTA. Unhelpfully none of the staff dc has mentioned are on the website.

A HLTA can not! A reception class must be led by a teacher and there should be a teacher present for the majority of the time.
A HLTA can cover short term absences (PPA, breaks and short unexpected absences).

Actually they can. I did it when my teacher was off sick (Y5) because it was better for the children than a supply that didn't know them (various other issues in the mix). It's not ideal. I would be more concerned that it is several different TA's. Usually the class TA will step in if it's deemed in the best interests of the children, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. What has the HT said about the situation?

Actually they can't ..legally

Higher Level Teaching Assistants
^"In order to gain Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status, these support staff have undertaken a rigorous assessment process against 33 national standards (professional attributes, professional knowledge and understanding and professional skills). One of those standards relates to working with whole classes:
They advance learning when working with whole classes without the presence of the assigned teacher (standard 31)
Schools may wish to deploy those with the status to work with whole classes, but there are many other duties which HLTAs can perform relating to other standards (see WAMG Note 17). They do not have to work with whole classes in order to secure a post as an HLTA – but they do need to have demonstrated their ability to do so in order to gain the status.^
HLTAs should not be deployed to work with whole classes for an extended period of time, i.e. beyond three days."

2008 WAMG

The head hasn't mentioned it at all. No communication from the school at all. I only know unofficially that she may be off a while.

I don't know why the class TA hasn't taken the class full time. Maybe she isn't a HLTA?

It wouldn't be out of place to query it with the head, would it?

I suppose the lack of progress is in part is related to this, but should be dealt with as a separate issue?

If the school is an academy then anyone can teach any class (no requirement to have QTS or equivalent) except EYFS (nursery and reception) where they must be qualified.

I was going to post what clara has said. If this is an academy or an independent school then the teacher doesn't have to be qualified.

Bugger, it is an academy.

Oh well. I still want the lack of progress addressing though. Surely if you thought a child hadn't improved at all in five months you'd address it rather than just sending home the same books AGAIN?

The TA may actually have QTS (be a qualified teacher) as many are.

In my school, the HT sent a letter to parents explaining the situation and telling them that I would take the class for 2-3 weeks as an interim measure. The parents (who mostly know me) were happy with that, and then a longer term strategy was put in place, and the parents informed.
You absolutely can and should ask the HT what is going on and what plans they have to address the issues, academy or not.

I've never wanted to be "that" parent (particularly as I'm a teacher myself), but I've learnt (probably too late, as youngest child now in Y12) that those who shout loudest, get heard. And in the circumstances you're quoting, you jolly well have grounds for complaint.

This is entirely the Headteacher's responsibility. Yes, it can be hard to recruit quality staff, and it's difficult when a permanent member of staff goes off sick, but the lack of communication here, along with what appears to be sub-standard and patchy cover for the class, means that you must go in and start voicing your concerns.

If nothing else, the more people who complain, means it becomes a higher priority to ensure a better experience next year (not that you can absolutely ensure good health in all staff, but still).

I think you can legitimately raise your concerns. I am a teacher, and there have been many occasions when my and my colleagues absences have been covered by TAs, usually very capably, but it's often quite a burden on other members of teaching staff who have to plan/assess what is being taught, and also on the HLTAs themselves, who are taking on a big responsibility and increased workload when they cover for extended periods. Also, most schools have insurance which kicks in after 2 weeks of staff absence and would cover the cost of a supply teacher. You can approach it sensitively, asking questions and expecting communication from the school doesn't make you THAT parent. Write a note to the Head, saying that you understand that the teacher has been absent and that you would like to know whether the situation is likely to be ongoing and if so do they have a plan to ensure that the children receive adequate support from qualified staff. Also, the fact that academies CAN use unqualified staff doesn't mean that they should and the more people that object to it the better.

Definitely take it up with the head. Sounds like they are not dealing with the absence well, at least in terms of communication with the parents.

I've seen this from both sides- as a parent and teacher- and communication has always been key- as soon as it was known that the absence would be long-term , letters were sent out explaining how it was being dealt with. When we had a particular issue with staff recruitment, the head at my school held an informal meeting for parents to address their concerns.

It may be that your DC's school do have a reasonable plan. It may be more organised than it sounds e.g. the reason for more than one person covering may be so that they can teach to their strengths. But you should certainly contact the head to find out.

You need to find out the facts.
I am a TA (officially) but am in fact a fully qualified teacher (QTS) with 20yrs experience. I just happen to be a TA whilst my kids are young. If I was asked to take a class full time to cover an absence I could. I don't think the parents are fully aware of my qualifications so if this were to happen they might also raise an eyebrow. Best to check with the school before you go in all guns blazing!

The class has not had a qualified teacher for weeks and often has more than one TA and you are worried about saying anything because you might be seen as a pushy parent??!!!

Oh. My. God. Are you serious? Jeepers what on earth constitutes something you think is actually worth complaining about?!

Have some common sense. Pushy parenting is taking up the teachers time almost daily with so-called worries that amount to wanting your child to get preferential treatment.

You don't even have a friggin teacher! Of course you should blinkin well say something.

I am That parent. I have been in to complain about many things and even complained to the council (to be fair that was something outwith the HT remit but within the council's). If I had similar experiences to yours, I would have been in or phoned four or five times my now! I would probably focus on progress rather than the teacher (or lack of). Request that they reassess her reading level.

Something similar happened at St. Mediocre. Fortunately this was the class with 3 parent governors' children. So a group letter from most parents asking the SMT to explain the prolonged absence of the teacher and what steps they are taking to mitigate loss of learning continuity and ensure our children were 'on track' agitated them into hiring a long-term substitute. (teacher ultimately left school).

The substitute turned out to be fantstic. Children swiftly got back on track and the school ultimately hired them (in an open competition interview situation).

Now maybe the SMT were already making moves to arrange this? Maybe not? But our letter seemed to concetrate minds.

My advice is if you don't want to 'lead' on this - approach a parent governor and say that you are concerned. Better yet, if several of you are concerned - have a chat as a group with a parent/ governor. Sometimes 'back channels' are more affective and less confrontational than a letter or e-mail of complaint.

mrz

That's out of date. Now HLTA can be appointed by the head, they do not need any further training. If they move to another school they lose HLTA unless they do the HLTA course that is actually a status rather than a qualification.

It has always been a status never a qualification which is why they need to prove they meet the standards - this may be to a head or it may be carried out by an external agency on behalf of the school. Regardless obtaining HLTA status does not qualify the holder. To teach ... Only to deliver lessons under the guidance of a teacher (the teacher doesn't have to be present )
As others have said academies and independent schools can employ "anyone" to teach but in state maintained schools the picture is different.