Your TA role

[MyMorningHasBroken]

Interested to know what different TA roles involve.
Do you lead low attaining groups on a daily basis? If so, how many?
Do you get lesson plans for you to deliver to groups?
Do you prep outside class?
Do you mark books?

As a TA l:
Plan and deliver guided reading for a group of children at lower end of ability scale,
Support specific groups of children with maths and English - this is outside of class as children from several classes are in the group. I follow teacher's plans (e mailed to me over the weekend) which I adapt as necessary.
Plan and deliver phonics sessions
Plan and deliver speech and language interventions
Plan and deliver EAL interventions
In class support as directed by teacher.
Cover classes for short term absence of teacher (I have HLTA status although not employed as one)
Photocopy and gather resources for teachers and my own groups.
Mark books for all children who work with me.
Complete feedback forms for all children who work with me
Attend meetings with parents or outside agencies for children I work with (accompany teacher/senco)
Anything else that supports the children or teaching staff Including attending staff meetings to 'cascade' info from training courses I may attend.

I'm a HLTA (previously NNEB Dip, STA etc)
Yes, I lead groups in two classes. Phonics x2a week in two classes, 2groups in one class.
Guided Reading x2 classes.
Maths group in one class, support in class with other group.

Nurture group x2 a week ( varies year to year) and I'm a qualified Nurture Practioner.

Lesson plans.
Sometimes I am given them but often just verbal at the beginning of lesson.

Prep.
Yes, I get paid for some of this time but do a lot in my time eg. Writing spelling words in 28 books as I link to handwriting so ten words each week. Spelling lists too but photocopy those. Nurture group planning.

Marking.
Yes, I mark books on a daily basis. I always mark my group but also mark class work as I take classes when teachers are at meetings, hymn practice or parent/ staff meetings. I sometimes stay and mark to help a teacher with a young family to get home sooner.

I teach during PPA time every week and occasional cover for sickness, mainly in those classes. Obviously I mark all that work.
In the past I have also supported the SENCO and can complete paperwork for referrals, attend meetings and work with EAL pupils.
I have Level 4. Two courses at Uni. All our TAs ( except one) are Level 3 or above. We have four HLTAs. It is quite a large primary.
Level 2 should not be working outside the class room. We have one Level 2 who has just started with us.
Hope this helps. Every TA in our school has a slightly different role.

Jam donut

Not sure what you mean because Level 3 training is available as is Level 4 and above. Do you mean your school are not encouraging you to take Level 3.
They shouldn't be leaving you with a class.

It was the DISS report that found TAs weren't value for money'. It suggested that children with TA support made less progress than children of similar ability without support.

I think this is probably to do with deployment though. Having a 1:1 Velcro TA can just lead to over reliance, but used properly, well trained support staff can scaffold learning and teach children to become more independent.

I think it depends on the staff and training. A 1:1 LSA who spoon feeds a child won't help them progress whereas a 1:1 who encourages independence and builds self esteem will.

I lead 2 groups everyday which I have full responsibility for ( i.e. Planning, teaching, assessing). They are different groups each day, well each group is twice a week.

I get my teacher's medium term plans which is what I base my planning on but she doesn't give me plans to do if that makes sense.

I also cover the class when the teacher is absent etc but I get paid as a level 3 for that.

I do the usual cutting, sticking, photocopying, sitting with groups and children on the carpet but we're a pretty equal partnership in all that.

I do offer to mark books sometimes if I've got a spare minute.

I only take work home if I choose to and it's always appreciated.
I think I'm very lucky TBH.

Ditsy4

They no longer do training for TAs to that level in our area. We have a level 4 'TA', but she is now Pastoral Manager. HLTA training was stopped. There is no real progression other than specific training in specific areas of the curriculum.
I wanted to do NVQ3, but there is nowhere in our county doing it!
I've been an (employed) TA for 8 years now...some have been there a lot longer than me. The teachers have no quibble with my skills, which is why, on occasion, when there has been an unexpected occurrence, I have covered...an hour max. It's not like I'm teaching anything new, just delivering/supervising work that's already been planned. It doesn't happen often or regularly, and any one of us has the skills to classroom manage . Anyway,usually it will be two TAs covering, not one.

'Level 2' is what experienced TAs are in the schools in our area. 'Level 1 ' is entry level. I know it doesn't make sense. How do you think we feel? We were basically told that there is no money for any higher levels , which is why there are no courses So even though we all have a wealth of experience, we are never going to progress.The unions know all about it. I'm just lucky to have a job.

None of the colleges in your area offer TA training ?

Jam donut
Then that is awful for you.
What about online. I know some online courses are not very good but I thought Cache did one.
I'm just concerned for you because I am fairly sure one of the teachersi work with said that legally Level Twos cannot be left with a class. It wasn't criticism and I'm sure you are capable buti don't think they are being fair. At least they are putting two in. I think for your own sake I would check with the union. I know it is difficult because we want to please but we also need to protect ourselves.
I did my HLTA through a Uni in another county. The tutor came up to our county and did a three day route once a year. I'm not sure if it is still offered as our Headteacher won't allow anyone else to do it. Originally school paid half and I think the Government put money in for the scheme originally. We have four and a teacher who is paid at that rate for some of her contract for 1:1 support.
I went the NNEB Diploma route and then followed up with whatever I could. I funded some myself and schools/county funded some. I did a lot of twilight courses in my own time. It must be very frustrating for you. I wanted to do HLTA because I felt a bit stale but the original Head said no as he didn't like TAs progressing. The new Head said yes after a year. I had to ask twice! He later sent me for other training without me asking.😀

Oops typos sorry!

http://www.sheffield-unison.org.uk/where%20you%20work/Schools/Joint%20guidance%20on%20PPA_Cover%20and%20staff%20deployment%20September%202013%20Version%20Final%201.pdf

I think we all know that many heads are exploiting TAs (and unfortunately many TAs are happy to be exploited)

That is really useful mrz thank you. It does mention Level 2 supporting not teaching too.