Teacher cover

[FredLJ]

In my child’s class the teaching is being covered by the class TA for the whole term due to the class teacher being off on maternity leave. I know the TA is only level 3 qualified. Is this allowed ? Is the school trying to teach on the cheap?

They probably can't get supply. Education is in a poor state and there are teacher shortages. Even if they got a supply 'teacher' in from an agency there is no guarantee that they are actually a qualified teacher and not simply a cover supervisor.

Lessons will have been planned by a teacher, and the children presumably know the TA well. It’s really hard to get supply teachers, and TAs know what they are doing.

Lessons need adapting, based on feedback, as they are taught, otherwise they are irrelevant to the learning of the children.

Long terms plans will be in place, but the children deserve a qualified teacher to adapt and deliver learning.

Unfortunately this is happening more and more. The poor TA who will have to deal with any behaviour issues, parent complaints, marking, making assessments whilst being paid pittance for it.

More and more schools are doing this. It’s probably better than a series of supply teachers even if the school can get any and even if they are any good. It’s probably not cheaper, she will be getting more money I would have thought. If she is t she’s a very, very dedicated TA.

I do supply teaching and this last year it has changed so much. Once it was covering for courses, sickness and maternity but now it’s increasingly common to be covering in a class that can’t recruit a teacher at all. Nobody is doing the planning and the children have no stability at all.

Yes of course in an ideal world. We don’t know the circumstances, but in some parts of the UK it’s only a couple of weeks to the end of the year. I have met some incredible and experienced TAs who can absolutely adapt a lesson - after all it’s usually what they do all day when supporting the class. In some
circumstances and for some classes it would be a better option to have someone they know, rather than get used to a series of different supply teachers at the end of term. Teachers are usually amazing people, and so are TAs.

That poor TA! I’m a teacher and this is happening more and more…it’s wrong!

I just hope the expert TA has agreed (not always a real given) to be the class teacher for the next weeks and is paid (doubtful) for his/her expert skills.

It being the ‘last few weeks of term’ really doesn't wash. Precious learning time. Would this equally be acceptable if it is the ‘first few weeks of the new term’ or mud year ( all happening).

And who is backfilling the TA role, as schools are struggling to employ TA’s, including supply cover.

Schools are grinding to a halt.

A level 3 is only one step down from a qualified teacher.

I'm a qualified teacher, and in my experience, MOST level 3s are as good as, if not better, than most teachers. Especially if they've been in the job quite a while.

They are entirely different qualifications and, whilst both roles are in the classroom with children, the jobs are very different. The statement of being "one step down" is inaccurate and also doesn't recognise the specifics and differing needs for each role.

In short term situations, it's absolutely fine, often preferred, for support staff to cover. But in cases like this, it isn't fair on that member of staff unless they are being paid as an unqualified teacher and given a huge amount of support. It also isn't fair on the children long term.

However, it is worth noting that in academy schools, there still don't need to be any qualified teachers as academies can employ who they like regardless of qualified teacher status (at the moment).

Our school is just putting in apprentices instead of TAs. They are put in charge of small groups soon after joining to teach phonics with little training or experience. It is so wrong. I'm admin myself and they're doing that to us now too - putting a young apprentice in when a longstanding very experienced and qualified member of the admin team leaves. It's just assumed that anyone can do the job. Schools just won't, or can't (sometimes it's not clear which) employ people at the appropriate salary.

It's not ok, but you're wrong in where you're placing the blame and the motive you're attributing.

Finding a supply teacher who can and will teach the class for the full maternity leave or even two who could piece it together likely just wasn't possible. Schools are struggling to fill permanent teaching positions and supply teachers are in shortage so many of the (limited number of) supply teachers able and willing take on long-term cover are actually teaching classes that have no permanent teacher. Getting in rotating supply teachers to cover every day of a maternity leave or similar is even a struggle in many areas. And as a parent I would prefer a level 3 TA familiar with the class be paid to teach the term than have random supply teachers rotating through in a piecemeal fashion if those are the two options available.

This is a systemic issue, not a decision indivdual school administrations are making to save money.

If I were you OP I would be speaking to the Head or Deputy and asking what arrangements are in place for September. I would far rather my child had a few more relaxed weeks at the end of the year than started off the new academic year without a permanent full time qualified teacher. The start of the year is vital to get a class learning and motivated and set the tone about learning and behaviour for the rest of the year. Ask any teacher who has had to go in and reset a class who have had a poor start in September!

I would not be happy with a TA teaching my child for any longer than a day. I studied for 4 years to be a primary school teacher; have taught for 25 years; and worked as a supply teacher across the private and public sector for 3 years. The skills and knowledge demonstrated by TAs, will have been acquired in the classroom setting; through observing qualified teachers and taking part in training sessions/days led by qualified / experienced teachers. Whether degree level educated, ex-retail worker or parent, there is and always will be an understanding and a wealth of knowledge that can only be acquired through years of input from educationalists with specialist knowledge in each of the curriculum areas and child development. This deep rooted knowledge and understanding cannot be acquired in any one school setting. Would a parent be happy with a nurse performing the duties of a doctor? The most effective, most experienced teachers have been leaving the profession in droves over the past years because their qualifications, their experience has been undermined. The highest performing schools would never allow a class to be taught long term by a TA. Nor would the parents. You have questioned this for a very good reason.