The role of a teaching assistant (TA) is one of the most rewarding, fulfilling and exciting jobs there is. I spent three years as a TA in a Welsh secondary school on the outskirts of Swansea. Those three years were some of the best of my life, and I feel I made a real difference to the lives of many of the children I worked with.
TAs are not just mums helping out in the classroom, as many people assume they are. They are the lifeblood of our school system, especially when contributing to supporting learners with SEND.
But the poor pay and terms and conditions associated with the role paint a negative image of TA work. I question: do our elected representatives understand the importance of the TA to our education system and our children?
‘Taken for granted’
I worked in an extremely dedicated and hardworking team. Going the extra mile was simply part of the job. Phrases such as “safe haven” and “extra support” were part of our everyday vocabulary and both teaching staff and management viewed the TAs as useful colleagues.
Yet, with every swing of the government’s arm, TAs are dealt another blow. They are told to take on extra responsibilities once fulfilled by teachers, with nothing extra in return. Ultimately, they are taken for granted by the Government.
This treatment contributes to TAs being seen as the poor relations of those with PGCE qualifications, which lowers morale. Yet, in my team alone, there were three TAs with a degree, two taking additional qualifications, a qualified teacher and many others who were fantastic at their jobs regardless of their qualifications.
Career progression
I would encourage schools and local authorities to work towards making the TA role more inclusive and involved.
TAs should be encouraged to attend CPD courses, be involved in the in-service training days in schools, be encouraged to take a bigger part in school meetings and inspections and have clear goals around career progression.
The TA often knows more about what’s happening on the ground than other staff and should be encouraged to share this information with school stakeholders, including parents of learners with SEND.
Can the strong team of TAs working in the UK continue to deliver much-needed support to our vulnerable learners when their jobs are already being seen as largely obsolete by the Government? I hope so, for the sake of our learners and teaching staff ─ and for the future of education.
Arron Bevan-John worked as a teaching assistant in a comprehensive school for three years until September 2015
