Classroom Advice please

ecgirl07

Person_one wrote: »

OP, I think its a perfectly reasonable question and I'm sorry you've got some less than helpful responses.

Most primary teachers do a dedicated 4 year degree, don't they? I wouldn't expect a level 1 TA who has probably done a part time college course lasting less than a year to be able to teach to the same standard, or why would we bother with qualified teachers at all?

Its not a criticism of the TA to say that they are very likely to be less skilled, its just true, surely?

The ability to connect with a child and show them way to learn something new that works for them is just as skilled in TAs as teachers. As a teacher im quite jealous of TAs they get all the good bits of teaching without any of the hassles (although they have their own hassles). Many TAs go on to be qualified teachers, one could argue the course wont make them better teachers but it will make them better at planning and paperwork.

rosie-lee

LilElvis wrote: »

Have you asked the teacher where the responsibilities lie, whether he/she sets the lessons or supervises them? Have you raised these issues with the school? Surely these were all questions you would have asked before enrolling your child in a school which doesn't have a "standard" one child per year group system. It's not a criticism, I'm just baffled that you have only thought to question the method of teaching now.

For the love of God....please let it go.
Knowledgeable people are starting to respond and I don't want this to dissolve into something it's not.


Although entirely irrelevant, my son has been at the school since nursery. I have another child who has been through the school so NO, I have had NO need to Interrogate when she entered the older class 2.


As with many schools there have been restructures and personnel changes, during my eldest childs time at the school she was in a Much smaller class of 20 children, the situation is not comparable !


Adjustments to class sizes and teaching staff provision is not something I poke my nose into...I leave that to the professionals.
If and when I have a query,... Before I go asking things at school which as an earlier poster thoughtfully pointed out can be received defensively as criticism, I sought to post anonymously on a public forum, one I know to be helpful & friendly to find out some facts and advice and opinions.


Which I have gratefully received.
Thank you

rosie-lee

Person_one wrote: »

OP, I think its a perfectly reasonable question and I'm sorry you've got some less than helpful responses.

Most primary teachers do a dedicated 4 year degree, don't they? I wouldn't expect a level 1 TA who has probably done a part time college course lasting less than a year to be able to teach to the same standard, or why would we bother with qualified teachers at all?

Its not a criticism of the TA to say that they are very likely to be less skilled, its just true, surely?

Thank you.
Yes, if the curriculum is being delivered by a level 1 TA, one would question why they have not sought to employ a part time Qualified Teacher....?

tomtontom

Person_one wrote: »

OP, I think its a perfectly reasonable question and I'm sorry you've got some less than helpful responses.

Most primary teachers do a dedicated 4 year degree, don't they? I wouldn't expect a level 1 TA who has probably done a part time college course lasting less than a year to be able to teach to the same standard, or why would we bother with qualified teachers at all?

Its not a criticism of the TA to say that they are very likely to be less skilled, its just true, surely?

It is not uncommon to find trained teachers working as teaching assistants, or graduates in other subjects, especially in primary.

tomtontom

rosie-lee wrote: »

Thank you.
Yes, if the curriculum is being delivered by a level 1 TA, one would question why they have not sought to employ a part time Qualified Teacher....?

One would suggest a lack of funding!

vulpix

I am HLTA
.Can I just point out that there is no training for this,it is a "status".
TA's with the HLTA status deliver subjects in my LA,though usually subjects in which they have expertise or interest.They do their own lesson plans within the syllabus.

duchy

I really don't understand how teaching a single class with such a wide range of ages and abilities can possibly work with just one teacher and a TA (no matter how qualified or experienced).

I tend to agree with the teacher who said TAs get all the good bits . I worked as a TA for a year (unqualified - the SENCO approached me and asked me to apply as he felt I had the right qualities) and it did seem we got a lot of the good bits - although I was a couple of times sent to classes with supply teachers who had lost control to get the class back on track. It can be a bit galling to know you are earning a fraction of what a supply teacher is paid yet you get sent to sort their mess out. Amazing though to walk into a room with a mini riot going on - and as soon as the kids see you they stop dead , shut up and sit down LOL . The power of what I called my "Mum Look"

Teachers tend to focus on whole class teaching whereas TAs get to explain on a one to one or small group basis - which is often more effective and students are more comfortable asking for help in that setting. That said I can't think of any primary maths that a parent couldn't coach a child on at home if they are struggling.

My Maths are awful but even I could cope with helping students up to age thirteen or fourteen -after that it got trickier and I got myself reassigned to other classes . Had I decided to stay in the job I'd have studied and retaken GCSE Maths (I'd already started studying for it once I realized it limited me but ultimately decided much as I loved the job school politics were horrible and not for me) .

Like the OP I'd like to hear from primary school teachers or TAs who work with a three year span class and how it is supposed to work. I do find the range a bit mind boggling.

bylromarha

Can I suggest that with an age group that wide, it may be that the teacher is delivering a strand of maths to the whole class, such as addition, and giving this as whole class input.

The teacher then works with the yr 5+6 kids at their level, the TA with the yr 4s at their level? So not direct teaching, but expanding the main lesson in a way which is age/stage appropriate to year 4?

My vague solution to this problem is why I teach in a 2 form entry primary. The idea of yr3-6 in the same class brings me out in a cold sweat!

Haylescom

I'm a primary teacher (10 years) and have never taught such a wide age range in one class. I feel sorry for the teacher; how can you deliver appropriate content to the year 3 children and prepare year 6 for SATs? Unless they're year 6 children who find learning difficult.
Don't take this as a criticism but is the TA definitely tacking your child for a full maths lesson every day? I only ask this because I've had pupils go home and say they spend all their time with an LSA/TA during maths when it's actually for 15 minutes to boost some mental arithmetic they haven't grasped. I've had children saying to parents they only have months once a week too!
There are some valid points here; some TAs are HLTAs which qualifies them to teach/cover lessons. We also have a number of TAs who are training to be teachers and become NQTs within schools.
As for recruiting more teachers; this can be expensive. We are also in the midst of what is going to be a recruitment crisis when it comes to teachers, especially in certain areas of the country.
Personally, although I have no children of my own, I'd rather my child be taught by an experienced TA than an unqualified teacher as happens in a number of academies.

Haylescom

Apologies for the spelling mistakes, I should've gone to bed an hour ago!