Staff ratios for reception at I dependent school

[Nummynums]

Hello
Hope someone can help
I have realised my dd on a few occasions hasn't been taught by her class teacher. Instead 1 HLTA and 1 other helper was present. There are 17 children in the class.

From my understand of the EYFS framework, the ratio should be 1:8, with one person with relevant level 3 (hlta) and one with relevant level 2 (not sure of qual of the helper) does that mean there should have been 3 members of non teacher staff? Does that mean they were breaking the law? I'm abit annoyed as I wanted to talk to the teacher and the hlta wouldn't let on the teacher wasn't in just that "she's not around, can I help?" I've noticed a few times in the morning, as I did today the class teacher not being there, I just assumed she was running late, as nobody said anything.

Would be grateful if someone could clarify the above for me
Thankyou

Meditrina, is this for independent schools, because the ratio changes if the cover staff aren't level 6 this is what I'm asking, i know it's not illegal for them to use hlta as cover staff, it's more the ratio of cover staff

Yes i think she's a TA

Are you sure about the qualifications of the HLTA? One of our TAs is a qualified teacher but works as a TA. She covers PPA and absences when she is paid as a teacher, but most of the time she supports in the classroom and is paid as a TA.

If it's an independent school you are paying for it so you can ask and expect an explanation as to why the teacher isn't present

What on earth happens in child development that a 4 year old needs 1 to 8 and 5 year old needs 1 to 30....

(Admittedly I liked my daughters preschool as it had a higher than 1 to 8 ratio of people very experienced in preschool - the school that boasted a qualified teacher in its nursery had a much less staff and less experience!)

I thought most reception classes these days had hlta covering ppa time.

No I'm quoting from the statutory framework

Are statutory staff ratios really different between independent and state schools?

Regardless, as a pp said, surely you can ask the school why your child's class is being taught by a HLTA rather than a teacher?

It's 1:8 in independent schools/private nurseries but 1:13 in maintained nurseries and 1:30 in independent school reception classes (if someone with a level 6 qualification is working directly with the class) dropping to 1:8 if no level 6 present and 1:30 in maintained reception classes.

It applies in essentially the same way in both independent and maintained schools.

It will all boil down to what you mean by a "few" occasions, and for how long. Teachers can leave their classes with a TA (eg planned non-contact time, where TA conducts the activities following guidance from the teacher).

I thought you meant not in the classroom, but perhaps elsewhere in the school. If it's a total day's absence, that is more problematic. Proper cover should be brought in, but it's acknowledged than for unexpected absences it can take a little while to get that cover into the classroom. One day as an isolated event is suboptimal but not an utter no-no.

If they're boxing and coxing regularly, then that it more worrying. They should be getting in proper cover. Though there is something to be said for the class staying with their familiar TA, under supervision of their own class teacher or another teacher, or a teaching qualified member of SMT.

If you're going to raise this with the school, do be aware that two common reasons for the absence pattern you described in your later post (as I read it anyhow) are symptoms under investigations (possibly worrying) or hyperemesis. Though obviously they can't tell you medical info).

I expect the HLTA has a degree and is therefore registered with the school under instructor status which means she can teach that class. This is what happens in my school (independent). For a short term solution this isn't a problem.

Meditrina yep sorry I didn't make it clear, absent for a whole day as in not nipped out etc, the hlta first told me "she's not around" implying still in school but when pressed she was absent due to 'family issues' but honestly it's none of my business why she's off and I like the class teacher, it's just the way I've not been informed teacher is off and the fact a few mornings she's not been around, my assuming lateness (I'm being very forgiving as I like the teacher) but i will be asking for their qualifications as well as demanding to know why I don't get informed and why it's happened more than once. I am paying for it that's why I expect more but tbh if they were messing me about like that at a state school I'd be annoyed too and would question their practices

I thought 'instructor' status was like a specialist music teacher or sports coach without level 6 but with appropriate qualification.

Yes BondGate they are different. Reception classes in maintained schools must comply with infant class size legislation. The key difference being that ratios in independent schools are dependent upon a level 6 to be working directly with the children at all times.

The school has arranged its classes and employed more staff than the minimum requirement.

What they are dealing with is the periodic absences of one of those staff, and how they arrange cover, not their overall staffing levels.

The 'family reasons' could cover a number of situations, so enquiries will need to be tactful. But you probably do need to find out if they know how long it will be before regular attendance can be expected from the teacher, and what plans they have for proper cover until then.

No it doesn't apply in essentially the same way in state maintained and independent schools.

But surely she would have mentioned she's a qualified teacher? But even so if she's employed as a HLTA then does she still count as level 6? Confusing
Anyway I'll find out for sure on Monday hopefully

Instructor status is when someone has a degree in a particular subject can teach. A lot of secondary supply teachers in the state sector don't have teaching qualifications but do have degrees.

In the Independent sector you can have instructor status staff for all levels of teaching (i.e. from reception upwards).

I wouldn't mind betting that a number of teachers at your child's school are employed on that basis and are not actually qualified teachers. This is not necessarily a bad thing - they are just as intelligent and able as their teacher colleagues. Trust your school's recruitment, training and appraisal / assessment processes - they have the success of the school and, by implication, the success and happiness of the children, as their main target.

Ah skip yes you are right i have to keep telling myself that, I think it was the way the HLTA wasnt being straight with me when I asked to speak to the teacher that annoyed me as it made me question the school's integrity
But you are right the technicalities don't matter too much as long as they're doing a good job and dd is happy which she seems to me, I think I just like to be informed of any changes I think that's what it's been about deep down

Glad you see what I mean. Your teacher has a right to her privacy as well so her TA was doing her best to protect that. I am a TA (not and HLTA) in an independent school and have been in your HLTA's position many times. I have a BA Hons degree (in Classics) from a Russell Group university, and an MA in an unrelated subject. I have had over 15 years experience in education / childcare. I have been a nanny and run my own nursery and had EYFS experience as well as KS1 & 2. I hope you would feel that I have got the skills and professional know how to teach your child.

The thing is, if you met me as a parent at my school you would only know that I was the TA.

Legal or not I'd not be happy with it. Sounds like the school is having issues? Can you ask them what was going on?

Hello,

What are the rules on covering reception class on daily basics (1-2 hours/day)?
L3 teaching assistant or does it have to be HLTA?

Thank you!