How to use your TACherryl Drabble

Erica WalwynHighfurlong School

March 2014

This is what started this all off in June 2013

Has since gone viral and gained quite a response

Dear Mr Gove....

Language - here lies a major problem... Whether SSAs, TAs, LSAs – we are all a team

We have regular appraisals with our TAs as part of our continuous professional development (CPD), every TA is qualified to at least Level 3

Our TAs are strategically placed each year on their individual strengths.

Our relationship with our TAs

A major principle in our approach to differentiation is keeping the class together in the same room for learning.

We work on a 3 year creative curriculum programme where the topic will cover all core and non core subjects.

Differentiation

Examples of differentiation...

This young man works on a very mainstream objective led activity.

While this young man requires differentiation for his access and work output needs.

And this young lady works on a very individual learning target appropriate to her needs.

At the beginning of each new topic the teacher will sit with all TAs in their class and brainstorm how to make sure each curriculum subject is linked to the topic and appropriate and engaging for all pupils in the class

TAs have much better ideas and bounce off each other and use their knowledge of the pupils to create motivational activities

TAs and Planning

For example...

In my class I have a HLTA with a specialism in Sensory Education and an TA with a first class honours degree with specialism in AAC and access technology

My two other TAs have specialist behaviour training

As Assistant Head teacher I am often pulled out of class and every person in there can run the class in my absence

Training your TA

Sharon – Leads Project Ability for the North West and is widely known in the disability sports as a coach, mentor and motivational figure

Karen – Specialist in Assistive Technology, manages the schools AAC and is our strong link with the ACE Centre who are National experts in Assistive Technology and Communication

Jill – is our Health and Safety Officer, this speaks for itself, in most schools it would be a teacher

Sandra – Has won numerous awards for Work Related Learning and Enterprise

Niki – has also won multiple awards for her ICT skills and video making

Specialist TAs

All our TAs are trained to deliver discreet and dignified care whether it be in the bathrooms or in the classroom

All are trained to deliver emergency medication to our pupils and have been trained by NHS nurses on epilepsy, asthma, and the use of epipens

With behaviour and care plans created by the teacher and TA and available in every classroom everyone is aware of the strategies and singing from the same hymn sheet

Many of our TAs can drive the school minibus and deliver hydrotherapy in the school swimming pool

All our TAs

Take ownership for your role within school

Be aware of school policies

Know your own progression aims and express these with your line manager

Realise what you do makes a difference

Advice to your TA

There is no reason all TAs cannot be doing this, they are far too valuable to be mixing paint or photocopying

Invest in your TA

Teachers and TAs are a team. You can’t do it on your own

Nobody is a superhero

Finally...