Teacher sickness covered by a TA

[Dinnertime22]

The TA has covered the class for the last three days while the teacher has been off sick. Has this changed as I recall a cover teacher was normally drafted in? Is the common practice?

It is in our school. Mainly due to budget cuts. Much cheaper to have a TA take the class (that they are paying anyway) than fork out for a supply teacher.

In a cash strapped system, the school will cut corners. Not on.

Schools are skint due to budget cuts. That's why

We get cover in for teacher sickness on day 2. Day 1 is covered by the class TA. However, we also have in-house HLTAs who can, and do, cover teacher sickness.

Don't forget that many schools are now academies and can set their own rules re teaching staff regardless of whether it's covering sickness or full time.

If it's a HLTA they can cover I'm sure.
The teacher will email the work and the TA will also be familiar with the class as she already knows them.

Most schools will have insurance which covers the cost of supply teachers (usually kicks in after a weeks absence )

Sadly becoming more and more common. The cheapest option.

What are your specific concerns, OP?

It's really not ok. I want classes taught by qualified teachers. If my GP was ill I would expect them to be replaced by a qualified doctor. Same for dentists. lawyers, electricians........

I have friends who are qualified teachers who work as TA's, then there are HLTA's and TA's who can cover too.
That's the state of the education system, it's on it's knees like all the other public services.

I found out today that DS's teacher only works 4 days - there are also 3 TA's - it's a massive class and should have been split into two really. So I'm presuming it's run by the TA's on her day off. I'm not massively concerned as they're very good but I was just saying to DH I wouldn't have thought they would be allowed to do this on a permanent basis. Sick cover I could understand a bit more if it wasn't long term.

That is appalling!! I’m not in the uk but I Ireland there’s no such thing as a ‘TA’ if a teacher is sick then a sub is brought in to cover!! We have SNA’s (special needs assistants) who are assigned to 1 child only! Even they are not allowed to take a class and they don’t count as an extra adult in the room for ratio purposes!!! The uk education system is going backwards it’s so sad.

It's rubbish being the TA too. Twice this year I've had to cover the Y6 teacher while he's been out. So instead of there being two of us, there's just me being paid no more than I would be on any normal day.
I do understand that sometimes situations come up and it can't be helped but when I'm expected to cover a course that has been booked for months I feel the school is taking advantage but it's not even worth the hassle I would get if I didn't do it to fight it.

Yep, HLTAs can cover. I've seen them be used for weeks at a time. Then again, when people are brought in they are usually just cover supervisors, who generally are just adults in the room who control a crowd, most are not teacher-trained. A proper supply teacher is expensive.

My nephew’s Y5 teacher is leaving at Christmas-he is being replaced by an HLTA until July-that’s 2/3 of the year!!

Anyone can be called an HLTA by the way if the head decides that’s what you are, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have any particular qualification.

I’m disgusted!

Anyone can be called an HLTA by the way if the head decides that’s what you are, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have any particular qualification.

Yep, pretty much.

What’s the bloody point in having teachers if they are going to use TA’s whenever possible!!!! That is outrageous @Letseatgrandma!!!

In the academy system, there is no requirement for qualified teachers. You haven't a keg to stand on if the school decides to jet the dinner lady teach (happened at our school)

@noideaatallreally

It's really not ok. I want classes taught by qualified teachers.

In many schools unqualified teachers are teaching classes as they train to become teachers. Salaried routes into teaching are like that.

What's the issue? I'm sure a TA can teach perfectly well and if not it's only a few days.

What's the issue? I'm sure a TA can teach perfectly well and if not it's only a few days.

Is that you, Michael Gove?

Yes I know it happens. And with supervision from qualified teachers that's fine. It's not ok to leave unqualified staff to cover classes for extended periods of time. All professions need professionals to do the job. Would you be prepared to have surgery performed bu an unqualified person? Have your electrics fitted? Have your car serviced? Have your medication prepared?

Anyone can be called an HLTA by the way if the head decides that’s what you are, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have any particular qualification.

Not true. HLTAs have additional training and are qualified as HLTAs.

I’d far rather a TA covered my class if I was off. They know the kids well and will do a much better job than most supply teachers. It’s fine for short term cover.

What are your concerns OP?

Welcome to Tory Britain! This has become way more common due to Conservative cuts.

Same thing happening this week at DD's school. Shes autistic and every morning this week has had a mini tantrum at seeing different teachers come and collect her. She misses her main teacher terribly. No explaination as to where shes gone though. I suspect this will be happening alot in the next few years.