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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Being taken for a mug ?

28 replies

jrsmum · 30/10/2007 20:48

I am a TA in a primary school and I am covering for the class teacher this week but have not been given any lesson plans, are they taking me for a mug to expect me to do them ?

OP posts:

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Original poster

jrsmum · 30/10/2007 20:52

Anyone ?

OP posts:

mamazombie · 30/10/2007 20:57

yes.
if my sons teacher was away and the class was being left in teh hands of a TA i would be furious.

i am sure you are very lovely but you are not trained to educate these children youa re there to assist a qualified teacher.

you should refuse

Original poster

jrsmum · 30/10/2007 20:59

Thats kind of what I was thinking,I've only been a TA for a little over a year.

OP posts:

ParanoidPetra · 30/10/2007 21:01

Teach the head a lesson and let the little ones express their creativity on their car!

Original poster

jrsmum · 30/10/2007 21:03

Thought I might just paint pictures of what they want to be when they grow up and get the capable ones to do some writing to go with. What do you think !

Like the idea about the heads car, she would go nuts !

OP posts:

roisin · 30/10/2007 21:04

Can I ask what school year it is?

Are you covering all week? What scale are you normally paid on? What scale are you being paid for this week?

You say "no lesson plans". Have you been given any guidance at all? Do you have the long-term planning for the classes. If you are normally in that class assisting, do you have anyone in with you?

Lots of TAs do quite a bit of cover these days very successfully; often far better than Johnny Supply from the Agency. But it's up to you to push to make sure you are rewarded more appropriately for it, and that you are dealt with fairly and reasonably.

Original poster

jrsmum · 30/10/2007 21:06

I'm doing a day a week until xmas, but no extra pay or anything ! I enjoy doing it but I've just been told to be in the computer room and thats it!

OP posts:

ParanoidPetra · 30/10/2007 21:07

Im sure you are more than qualified to cover for the teacher but i really dont think you should have the stress and hassle.Its not as if they are paying you the teachers wage for the week is it?

spudmasher · 30/10/2007 21:08

Whole class?
All week?
Good grief that is a big ask.
At my school the TA will occasionally cover in an emergency but they always do it in pairs.

Original poster

jrsmum · 30/10/2007 21:11

not all week just one day a week

OP posts:

roisin · 30/10/2007 21:12

OK, you should be paid at HLTA rate for this work (Scale 4).

Do other TAs do this at your school? You should get that sorted asap.

If it is planned cover then yes you absolutely, definitely, and certainly should be getting detailed lesson plans. The class teacher should still be planning and marking the work.

Are you in the computer room for the whole day?!

I am a cover supervisor in secondary school. I mostly really enjoy it, but we have had to fight very hard for appropriate boundaries; as at every turn there is the temptation for 'school' to over-work us and expect too much from us. And if we roll over and put up with it, then we are mugs.

Original poster

jrsmum · 30/10/2007 21:14

Thanks for the advice, we are only in the computer room in am as have outside activities inpm and then I m just responsible body as it were.

THink I may suggest HLTA pay for the time done though!

OP posts:

Squirtle · 30/10/2007 21:16

Are you a Higher Level Teaching Assistant? You should be given learning objectives/lesson plans for the lessons. The odd unplanned lesson in an emergency is one thing but to give you no support like this means you are been taken for a mug. I think you need to talk to the class teacher, then the key stage leader or someone else approachable in seniior management. Good luck

misspopov · 30/10/2007 21:17

You should definitely ask for planning as TAs and HLTAs are not paid to plan or mark work. It is now common practice for HLTAs to cover classes as part of PPA etc but they should not be expected to plan and are also supposed to be paid a higher rate for sessions when they take a whole class (although this is still a pittance when compared to supply costs). I would be quite happy for our HLTA (she is fab by the way)to take my class but would always leave her with full planning and resources to ensure curriculum coverage etc.

ScaryScienceT · 30/10/2007 21:18

It's not reasonable, jrsmum. Is there a head of Key Stage that can set lessons for you?

Original poster

jrsmum · 30/10/2007 21:19

Thank you all for you advice will mention this tomorrow!!!! Off to watch spooks!! Will post tomorrow!!

OP posts:

roisin · 30/10/2007 21:19

Be assertive - work out what you need to say and who you need to say it to; and make sure you go and speak to someone about it.

If you don't they will assume you are entirely happy with the arrangements and will continue to take you for granted.

A scale 4 TA costs the school about 30% of the cost of a supply teacher for the day. So they are getting a bargain anyway, and you'll probably be doing a better job than someone who doesn't know the school and doesn't know the children.

ChipButty · 30/10/2007 21:22

This is not on at all. I am a teacher and a Mum and I would expect an appropriately trained and qualified person to be in charge of my child's education. No offence to you, I'm sure you will do a good job, but it's not what you're trained to do. You need to have a word with senior management about this and also your union.

juuule · 31/10/2007 08:29

I wouldn't be happy either, Chipbutty.
From Teachernet "However, we expect only well-trained support staff ? normally having attained higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) status will be leading classes, and then only under the direction and supervision of a teacher." You might find the rest of that page useful. Are you HLTA level? This is also interesting [[http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/5814/cover%20sup%20PDF.pdf Cover supervision

juuule · 31/10/2007 08:31

Oops don't know what happened there Must preview. Here is the second link again
Cover supervision

perpetualworrier · 31/10/2007 09:41

I'm sure when TA's were introduced we were promised they would never be left in sole charge of a class. Is this legal?

roisin · 31/10/2007 16:06

It is legal, and it goes on a lot in schools nowadays: generally with much success.

But I am rather surprised at a TA with only 1 yr experience being asked to do this.

And not being provided with the work/lesson plans is completely unacceptable.

Original poster

jrsmum · 31/10/2007 17:38

Well i covered today with no lesson plan and think it went ok. The teacher I was covering for in am told me to go guided reading with a group of 5 and the others to do a halloween picture, that was it !!!!

Crap lesson plan no specified Lo or anyhting!!

HAve got an appraisal coming up so I'm thinking that would be an appropriate time to raise the issue!!

Any ideas as to how to put it nicely and not sound like I cant cope or that I'm having a whine ?

OP posts:

clam · 02/11/2007 20:52

I reckon there's great disparity between schools on this issue. My children's school have TAs covering all the time (although I don't know what scale of pay they're on) but where I work, the Management Team feel strongly that it's unacceptable. Seem to be 2 main reasons for this: 1) because it's unfair on the TAs, but 2) because it's felt that it will undermine teachers' professional status if it's perceived that non-professionals can do it easily. Also, because it's the thin end of the wedge and the government may see it as a cheap option to rely on.

bunnyhunny · 02/11/2007 20:58

well, TA's shouldnt be left with no plans and be expected to teach a class. Teachers are trained and much better paid because we have to do this - it's not your responsibility to plan lessons. your head should set work and you cover it, but I don't think (may be wrong her) it should be proper lessons iyswim.

also, you shouldnt be alone teaching a class as a ta.

not sure if this is legally correct btw, just from my experience

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