Children 'being taught by untrained staff'??

[mrz]

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/7854360/Children-being-taught-by-untrained-staff.html

Doesn't surprise me, my dd's teacher has been off sick for ages and there has often been only a TA to take the cless. I do think the TA's in dd's class are great and I have had more honest and to the point feedback about dd from the TA. However I think a qualified teacher should be around.
Bee

We have a policy of only using qualified teachers to teach children at our school, whether it's for PPA cover or not.

I'm concerned by the idea that schools actually employ unqualified people as TAs never mind the whole using them to "teach".

I would suggest that you need to be careful about saying that the TAs are unqualified. Yes they are not qualified teachers but they are not paid as teachers (by a very long way). It is quite possible that the TAs will have qualifications that are of degree level and therefore are very well qualified for the work that they undertaking (assuming that they are not teaching classes)

The difference between the TA and a teacher could be 12 months doing the PGCE course. Another comparison could be 20 years of practical experience in the school and in the case of the teacher less then a year's experience. It is dangerous to make assumptions about the level of qualifications of TAs.

"It is quite possible that the TAs will have qualifications that are of degree level"

It's certainly possible, but in 10 years of interviewing TAs I've never come across any with a degree, apart from two ex-teachers winding down for retirement (who subsequently were offered the posts).

Maybe something to do with the crap pay?

Daisy, as I understand it TAs should not be 'taking' the class they should only be providing cover for a lesson a qualified teacher has prepared.

I would never send my child to a school that let TAs take charge of a class although I do think they could be really helpful in supporting individual pupils, however my DS's schools have never used them.

Admission, it would be interesting to examine information about the qualifications and experience of TAs throughout the country which I think would vary a great deal. I very much doubt that the majority of TA are degree educated although I'm sure quite a lot have NVQs.

admission the report suggests that some TAs don't even have basic English and Maths GCSEs (or equivalent) which makes it unlikely they have degree level qualification doesn't it? No one is suggesting that TAs need to be qualified as teachers.

When the question (what qualifications do you have?) has been asked on the TES TA forum in the past it has been found that quite a few TAs have a degree or a 'higher' qualification in the area of work they pursued BC (before children). Many find TAing a stimulating job which has very convenient hours for a mum with young children, so long as you don't mind the poor wages.

I think the problem of poorly (or un)qualified TAs arises because some HTs seem to regard the job more in in the light of paid volunteering rather than a para-professional type of job. So that nice mum who comes in to listen to the children read gets offered the job when a TA post comes vacant. With absolutely no consideration of qualifications. I also wonder if this is because some HTs do believe that TAs are really just another handy body around the place?

Then, of course, the 'nice mum' TA is handed all the so called 'low ability' & SEN children to support and to withdraw for interventions in Literacy & Numeracy. A practice I have always thought to be very odd.

However, this sometimes works when an intelligent and interested TA makes it her business (because they are nearly all women) to research and learn about the most effective ways to help the children she works with. Some TAs may develop more expertise than teachers in a particular area.

Our LA is trying very hard to ensure that all TAs are qualified in some child related subject to at least Level 2. I don't think that the L2 Maths & English are a requirement, though. Which is a worry because those are the two areas where TAs are most likely to be used in support.

in the secondary I work in we always require a C or above in GCSE Maths & English.

I have been told that my DTs need extra help and support with their reading, hardly surprising really when their reading book diary is mostly filled in by myself and children from year 6, why get a ten year old to help a younger child to reads who is behind?

Although it obviously doesn't replace the teaching of reading, it is useful extra practice (always required) for children who need it.

It can also boost the confidence of a Y6 child who may not be the best reader hugely, since they are handed a role that they perceive to be extremely important.

Younger children usually like it because Y6 are their heroes. So - as long as it is seen as just that, extra practice - it's win win all round. And fun!

There was a bit of a local controversy at a local school last year when it was found that some year 8 classes were being taught both Maths and English by a cover supervisor. It took a bit of a battle with the school (who tried to argue it was OK as it was a 'good' CS) before they backed down & got qualified teachers in, so I'm not really surprised by this. The worry is that instances like this will get more widespread when schools struggle to cope with 25% cuts.

After reading this thread I decided to reply by writing a short article. Feel free to check it out and would appreciate your comments.

www.lydiaschool.co.uk/parents/unqualified-and-proud/

I am in no way trying to criticise TAs there are some absolutely fantastic ones out there doing a great job (often for poor pay) but should schools be taking advantage of them by asking them to teach and would you be happy for those with no qualifications to teach your child?
I totally agree with maizie in that often the children who most need a teacher are the ones who are sent out with a TA

I am saying I would welcome those with no qualifications to each your child - mrz, what are your specific objections to someone unqualified? I'm interested if you can express your primary concerns...

My concerns are
a/ TAs are being exploited
b/ schools are employing unqualified people to do a very important job
c/ they are breaking the law

I agree with mrz.

There's some recent research about teaching assistants in this article here.

and here
?Too often children and parents are being short-changed and teaching assistants exploited by schools that don?t plan properly.

A couple of the TAs at my dds' school have been qualified teachers. One of them went on to get a teacher's post in the school.

The only other TA I know (also in a local school) is not a qualified teacher, but has an English degree, and is considering doing a PGCE.

I think "no qualifications" is an exaggeration.

Just look at the job vacancies and descriptions
if you don't believe it's happening.

No exaggeration, I assure you JulesJules.

The TAs at are school don't have degrees.

our even - blame the wine.

I know your child has her own LSA Riven how would you feel if they decided to save money by replacing the LSA with someone who isn't trained to meet your child's needs?