Teaching assistant in Year 4

[pontypridd]

Is it the case that by Year 4 there is no need for a full - or near to full time teaching assistant any longer?

I have concerns about DS's new teacher next year. She is very young and an NQT. First time to teach this year group as well. DS has a statement of special needs, but not enough hours to pay for any full or even part time support ... level D, I think it is.

I think that means that no extra funding comes to the school for him.

Will post this in the special needs section as well.

All I really wanted to know was whether it is the case that hours for the TA should less now because the children are older and in Year 4.

Thank you.

[pontypridd]

This statement is not worth anything, I know. But this is in many ways is my fault. I battled at the beginning to make it state exactly what my son needed. No one has ever, seemingly, paid any attention to the statement. And I've always felt overwhelmed and too uninformed to know how to make it more useful to DS.

So I have given up taking it seriously. The old SENCo was completely useless. The new one seems much better, so I was hoping that this time she would get it updated to be some use to DS. I went to the meeting with as much information as I thought was helpful. But from reading some of your posts I realise that I'm going to have to get proactive again on a different level.

I don't want to get legal. It takes energy out of what I am doing to actually help DS with physio, OT, out of school activities and school work etc

But I will, over the summer, and more probably at the beginning of next term start to ask some questions about the statement and try to get some more funding and help for DS.

Thank you.

[pontypridd]

The class is going to have 30 children YOT.

[Lurkedforever1]

ponty do you think the class teacher, headteacher etc would help you and back you up in fighting for an actually applicable statement ( rather than the current one that doesn't seem to be applicable to actual need). Even if your school are uncaring arses it's in their interests to help get the funding rather than trying to provide it unfunded, or struggle with either trying to justify low attainment to authorities, or class disruption. ( not disruption in terms of bad behaviour just the fact the regular staff will have to factor in the time). Plus the fact I don't think the majority of teaching staff would only be willing to help for their own convenience, I'd generally credit them with better motivation to want to help

[Jennifersrabbit]

I wouldn't worry about the NQT. My DS has a statement for 20 hours and had an NQT this year who has been great. Agree with the comments re extra energy, up to date training, etc.

Our school has morning TA support only in the junior classes. This is more than many do, I think.

If your sons statement says 15 hours then he should be getting 15 hours. The deal is that support up to 15 hours per week should be provided from the schools delegated budget. Over 15 hours the LA start putting in funding. My son gets 20 hours but the school fund the first 15, the LA only the extra 5.

I think rather than worrying about a class TA, you need to ask for an urgent review of your sons provision. If he needs two hands for certain lessons, ask exactly how they intend to provide that in each lesson it applies to. How do PE lessons work out for him - presumably he either needs alternative provision or extra support?

Think of it the other way around - if he needs a 1:1 for certain lessons, then that 1:1 may benefit the whole class when he is managing independently. Works that way for DS.

If school are being unremitting arseholes you might find IPSEA or your local Parent Partnership helpful. Good luck.

[MidniteScribbler]

OP, the best place to start is to actually talk to your son's new teacher. You have written her off as assuming she is incapable and unable to manage the class without a TA and you haven't even met her. An NQT is still a fully qualified teacher and probably comes with a fresh perspective, young energy, and desperate to do a good job. Whilst your concerns are naturally about your son, you don't know yet anything about this teacher and what plans s/he may have for their classroom and dealing with the students with additional needs. You will need to be a team during the year to get your son the best outcomes, and things will always go better if you approach it from 'how are we going to support DS this year' rather than assuming the worst. I know it's hard when you hit so many barriers throughout their schooling life, but at least try and start off by assuming the teacher is capable and wants the best for your child.

[pontypridd]

Thankyou so much for all the advice everyone. Its really good for me to consider all these different suggestions and viewpoints as I do get stuck in a sort of panic and worry about DS at times. Particularly at times of change.
We are going on holiday now so I'll come back and read this all again when we get back.
Thank you.