Would you be ok with this arrangement?

[lovehoney69]

Hi! Asking on behalf of dsis who is an experienced teacher of ASD children. She's been offered the following job and I just wondered what people thought of it, good opportunity or cheeky cost cutting?

So she would be a teacher of a class of approximately 22 ASD children. But they would be spread across 3 classrooms with 3 staff in each room including 1 or 2 hlta/unqualified teacher. Sis would do the planning for all 3 groups, evaluation, data, reports etc.... But that's still less than a class of 30 isn't it?
She's been told she'll get "a little extra money" but not fully discussed.

She fancies the job, especially the opportunity to set up new classes and make them really good. However, she's worried that the local authority are trying to create a special school without spending money on it.
What do you think? Thanks!

It sounds like yes, they're trying to create a mini "school" for children with additional needs and pay only one proper teacher. However, if your sister is up for the challenge and goes on with her eyes open, then why not take this on? I'd recommend that she try hard to argue for more money at this stage, though, and, of course, get the salary in writing before making ant formal agreement.

A class of children with ASD would never be 30 so you can't compare it with a mainstream class. The differentiation is massive and there so much extra work for each student. The data generated is huge and a massive task to manage.

It's also hard to not be with a class full time. I wouldn't want to do it

Thinking about it, it's a bit rubbish the kids only get a qualified teacher for a third of their time.

If all 22 children have ASD, I assume they all have EHC plans. What about their review meetings, extra paperwork etc. Sounds like a hell of a lot of work. Their levels of need could be so varied too which would make planning difficult.

Hahaha. Hell no!!

This is a Resource Base. Mine has 14 children split between 2 classes (3 teaching rooms, 3 additional small rooms, a kitchen, our own toilets and garden/ playground).

2 teachers (of which I am one), I am SLT- which is essential- I get a day a week release for running the thing (which is never enough) on top of PPA and I am well paid. 2 HLTAs and 3 TAs

As cupcake says, there is now way you could keep on top of all the meetings and paperwork that a Base generates if you were the only teacher and doing all the planning. The only way it could possibly work is if it's the type of Base where the children are ALL in mainstream the vast majority of the time. Even then it would be tough.

I suggest your DSis goes and has a look at the set up in a really great Base before agreeing to this. If she is anywhere near the SW I recommend the Base at Blackhorse in Bristol- it's really lovely.

PurpleDasies is right too, teacher contact spread that thinly- each child getting 1.5 days of contact- is discriminatory. There needs to be a specialist teacher for each group.

That sounds absolutely awful. I'd say the paperwork alone for that many children with SEN would be monumental.

What % have an EHCP?

Planning for one class is one thing. Planning for 3 classes every day sounds bloody horrific. I'm an experienced teacher and sendco and wouldn't touch that with a barge pole!

That sounds awful. Essentially she will be responsible for all those children and will be managing all these other, possibly less qualified staff. The kids only get a small amount of time with a teacher. The standard set up would be between 6-8 kids per class, each with their own teacher and with several TAs in each class. This is a massive cost cutting exercise. I would not touch it.

No way. The paperwork for 22 children would be insane. Most special schools would have 8ish per class. Also, she won't get to know all 22 children well enough to plan effectively for them - it has to be so personalised for these children.

So she's accountable for 100% of student progress but only teaching each group 1/3 of the time.

Take out the SEND bit for now. Would a mainstream teacher happily have their career judged on the success of a gcse group who spend 2/3 of their time with other members of staff? No.

Then add in all the individual plans, meetings, reports etc. They want a SEN unit attached to mainstream but without funding it or staffing it properly.

Thanks for the views, I will pass them on, she does really fancy the job but I think doesn't really realise how much work it'll involve.
Low door your resource base sounds fab, is that for ASD too?

Yes Primary, HFA/ Asperger's and some autism with mild LDs. Feel free to PM me if your DSis wants any info.

Will tell her to get on mumsnet then! Thanks!