Is it acceptable (or even legal) for a TA to cover a class for a whole day?

[Mercy]

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Mercy, is this your dc's school? Let me know if you'd like me to ask the local NUT what they think about it (ie my friend and neighbour a few streets away) - I'm wanting to ask her a few things anyway.

Ooh yes, do - hey would be straight onto that in a Reception class. It's illegal!

Well we're in private school so legalities are very different, but where a teacher is say off sick at short notice I personally prefer to have a familiar TA covering the class than having a total stranger brought in. Would be different for longer term, and I guess reception is an odd one as you would expect at least 2 adults there for most of the time anyway.

Cascade - HLTAs ARE qualified to deliver lessons set by a teacher.
As for other levels of TA it is up to the head to decide whether they are competent to cover a class (you try doing it at secondary!)

Hi whizzz!

If it's the odd day where her teachers off sick, then i would prefer for her to be taught by the TA actually then to have a supply teacher brought in.

Can I ask a question about covering classes?Is it okay for a TA (or HLTA) to cover a class with no support from another TA?

Also, what would you suggest if there is a reception class being covered by a HLTA on a weekly basis? Is there a document that can be shown to the school or something?

TIA

kid - as far as I know then if the head thinks the TA is competent then yes. Until recently TAs in our secondary school (Level 2) had to cover classes on our own. Thankfully now they employ some cover supervisors.

Also can I point out in defence of TAs that cover supervisors often have less experience & qualifications than TAs, yet it's always the 'OMG the class is being taught by a TA!' & no one seems to ask questions of cover supervisors in the same way

Hi Cornsilk!

Ok, thanks Whizzz.
I assume its only acceptable if the TA actually agrees to cover the class, seeing as its not part of the job description? (Or part of the pay I should also add!)

ah - but the job description usually has some vague bits on such as 'anything that is required by the school / head' or some such drivel.
We had no choice unless we really put out foot down - when you compare the hourly pay of a teacher v supply teacher v cover supervisor v lowly TA though, you can see how the head decided we were 'competent' even though he had never even seen us 'in action'

By the way, I'm not trying to put down cover supervisors in any way - just pointing out that its not only TAs

Just asked my dp (headteacher) his understanding of new reception rules is that
a teacher MUST be present in a reception class if it is an eclosed classroom, if it is open plan then a HLTA can lead. HLTA can also lead PPA cover. (which should only be 1/2 day a week.)

So a HLTA can cover a reception class (that is not open plan) for PPA cover of 2.5 hours a week. But a TA can not?

None of this is relevant to me personally but I know someone that may be interested to know that they are not covered to take the class.

Officially it should only be HLTA 'leading' a class or a Ta doing HLTA training. Most schools don't seem to stick to that though.

A Reception teacher, with QTS, must be present at all times.

kyrasmummy, yes the Reception teacher was off sick that day which is why I didn't mind. If it were a regular occurence though I would have a different opinion.

I have since found out that is was a genuine oversight (bascially my ds' supply teacher was pulled out of his class to cover, by a weird coincidence, my dd's class whose teacher was on a course)

The Nursery nurse was there as well as a TA.