Teacher and 1:1 TA only

[Jimjiminyjimjiminy]

Hi,

My DS is due to start reception in September. There are approx 25 children in the class. They’ve always had a TA for the class but the teacher has said this year the TA is a 1:1 for a particular child and not for the rest of the class. I’m a bit concerned about this as one of the other children is definitely more than a handful and I was hoping the TA might be able to keep an eye on that DC a bit. Is this normal?? I feel like the TA is going to end up dealing with the other kids too and then the little girl doesn’t get her 1:1.

@FurryGiraffe

My DCs School has a TA in every class, plus 1-2-1s, so most classes have 3 adults in each classroom most of the time. It's a single form entry state primary.

There seem to be quite wide discrepancies in TA provision between schools in the state sector, which seems surprising given that the funding per pupil is pretty similar.

Funding per pupil isn't pretty similar.

Our school is in a historically underfunded county. Our school's per pupil funding is increasing each year in line with the minimum funding guarantee - and is absolutely spot on that minimum funding. There haven't been class TAs for many years, if there ever were.

We financially benchmark against 'similar schools' using the DfE's benchmarking tool. It picks similar size, urban/rural, free school meals, children with EHCPs and EAL. That always brings us data showing that some of these "similar schools" get up to £700 more per pupil than we do. That's £200k for us, which would cover loads of additional TAs.

Those schools are gradually experiencing a decrease in their funding towards the levels we have, so will stop being able to afford things like a TA in every class. I'm sure this will seem like a massive cut and levelling down.

The other issue that I think is being experienced across many schools is an increase in children with complex needs. To get an EHCP is a long and hard process. My understanding is that a school has to demonstrate the level of support a child needs by providing it and then months later the local authority might approve it and start funding it.

So you might start the year with a class TA and then find that they have to be redeployed as an unfunded 1:1 for a new pupil until an EHCP is approved. So you can't backfill the class TA role as there's no money available.

We don't have a TA in every class.
It depends on the need and skills and in some cases we have two in one class.

Some intervention is outside the classroom in groups again based on need. Effective teaching doesn't need to be limited to one teacher and a TA. It should be school specific with everyone getting quality teacher time. Each year has different children with different needs.

@cabbageking

I understand that but I am a bit concerned that there is only the teacher for a composite class with two curriculums (R/y1). There is a free flow outside area so no idea how the teacher keeps an eye on everybody. I would have thought reception most likely to need a TA out of all the school year groups. Having said that I also realise there is nothing I can do about it.

There also is clearly a need for a class TA as they have had one until this year where the TA has been allocated as a 1:1. So despite having a child that needs a 1:1 there is no extra help 🤷‍♀️

If I was the parent of the child needing 1:1 I would be livid at this situation. My son had 1:1 until age 9, his TA was in addition to the class TA. I would not have been happy about his TA being used for the entire class.
Sadly I know the is is a big issue and is down to funding, but it's funny how they can "find" the money somewhere if enough of a push is made. Do you know the parent? They may not be aware of this situation, and (possibly at risk of being seen to poke the hornets nest) I would be letting them know.

@edwardcullensotherwoman

I don’t know her personally. I’ve bumped into her before but I don’t know her name or anything. She might already know. I hope her child gets the help they need.