TA's rather shouty approach to disciplining reception child....

[GrinningSoul]

i was in school today at lunchtime and watched a teaching assistant telling off a reception boy in the dinner queue. He was clearly being disruptive and cheeky but her approach was to shout angrily and harshly into his face, much as a very irate mum at the end of her tether might in the privacy of her own home . Is this OK? I didn't like to see it coming from a professional, but I never feel confident that I can judge what's considered 'normal' by other people. And what should I do, if anything? She was in front of any staff who happened to be present and lots of children, so it can't be that unusual.

Shouting is not good, but it could be a one off. Most teachers shout sometimes, including me, but it is always a failure of professionalism and should be viewed as such.

I would be worried if this was happening often, but as a one off incident I would not bring it up.

Our lunchtime supervisors have had basic CP training but not first aid as there is always a designated first aider in school.

Sorry Whizz, not trying to offend. The OP was talking about a 'TA' shouting at a child in the lunch queue. I assumed that the person was a lunchtime supervisor- I didn't think that you got much training for that. I assume they're like the 'playground ladies' from my schooldays.

I wasn't talking about classroom TAs

Many TAs have degrees and so do some dinner ladies. You would honestly be surprised at the backgrounds of some support staff in schools.

I find people are extremely judgemental of people based on their jobs. eg people look at me differently now I am a TA in a secondary school, compared to when I was a H&S manager in the chemical industry. I'm still the same person & if anything have added to my qualifications. I suppose it's similar to the SAHM debates.

Incidentally, I have never heard a TA shout at a pupil, however I have heard several 'professional' teachers yelling at pupils

I'm with Whizzz, I am a TA too (and have also been a midday supervisor). Never shouted in the face of any child and never would. Very rarely witnessed this in school by any of my colleagues.
However, I have certainly felt like it sometimes after a horrible morning with some very demanding children.
Perhaps this one had PMT.

By the way Whizzz, where are you doing your dyslexia course? Is it local to you or online/correspondance?

The woman in question is a classroom teaching assistant, but also does lunchtime duty. she's pretty fierce. I haven't seen her work in the classroom.

redwino (I like the name ) it's online - all in my own time

(& I'm 'not a professional.....????? I'd love to know what makes 'a professional'

I think it also has to be remembered that any head teacher worth their salt would know if a midday supervisor (dinner lady), or a LSA or even a teacher was excessively shouty.

It is the job of a head teacher to manage all the school's staff and take appriopate action. Any good manager accepts that staff make mistakes and supports people in their development.

The school where I work at supports support staff development. I know a couple of LSAs who are working towards degrees and one LSA who is planning to the graduate teacher programme.

Losing your temper with a child and shouting shouldn't happen, but I disagree its unforgivable. Its not as if the child has been smacked or sworn at.

I am sure that if a member of staff regularly lost her temper it would be brought up in a meeting.

Without having a full picture it's wrong to make judgements. My (excellent) TA shouted at a child who kicked her in the stomach and then spat in her face. Was she wrong?

I know a dentist with three young children who is currently working as a dinner lady while her children are young so she can take them to school, collect them and have the school holidays with them! She also gives all the healthy teeth talks in the various classes at school.

I am sorry to say I had serious reservations about a school dinnerlady who (he said) spoke to my son like this. He kept telling me about her until I was v concerned. I had an informal - non accusatory - word with teacher.They thanked me for telling them what he said had happened and said they would monitor children were being spoken to and treated appropriately for their age - Dinner lady was clearly observed doing it to other children after this as she is now in hall with much bigger children. But considering you witnessed this first hand I say its fine for you to raise your concerns. i do not wish to say I thought he was making it up but he has been known to only tell his side of the story like kids do.. so it was a difficult situation to handle. I should hate to be a dinnerlady/TA though.. but I would not be one unless I could remain calm either!