WELCOME TO How to be an Effective TA TA Network

A study has produced evidence that TAs are not effective in raising the attainment of the students they support, they just make the teacher feel better. (DISS study 2003 – 2008)

How do I get to grips with this???

How can I help?

TASK Stuck!  What help, if any, do you want?  What would help you become more confident with the software?  How do you know you have been helped? Helper  How would you help your colleague?  What would help them become more confident with the software?  How do you know your support has been useful?  Would you do anything different with students in school?

AIMS  Understand what it means to be an effective TA  Know OFSTED’s expectations of schools regarding vulnerable students  Plan suitable ways to show evidence of being effective

What do OFSTED want to see?  Concerned with “disadvantaged” students who attract Pupil Premium i.e. LAC, free school meals, service children.  Evidence of progress in the attainment of all students How does this affect us as TAs?

In groups… Look at the OFSTED comments on your table: 1.How was the TA effective/ not effective? 2.What could have been done to improve the learning of the student(s)?

Compare with full comments Any surprises?

The most effective TAs (OFSTED)  were alert to spotting misconceptions and gaps in learning  were careful not to over-direct pupils’ learning  took responsibility for assessing pupils in their groups  helped to identify the next steps and plan subsequent activities with the class teachers  participated in reviewing pupils’ progress  were particularly effective in identifying and supporting personal problems that presented barriers to learning

How can we show evidence of being effective? BREAK

RECAP  OFSTED want to see evidence of progress in all students, especially disadvantaged pupils.  Being effective means…working with the teacher and being involved proactively at all stages of the student’s learning (planning, in class, assessment, reviewing, emotional support…) AND knowing when NOT to speak.

What evidence do we need to show we are being effective? Discuss

DATA 1.Better than expected progress (attainment data) 2.Increased attendance e.g. due to being happier in school because of safe places to go at break/lunch 3. Fewer exclusions - emotional support dealing with barriers to learning NOTE: 2 and 3 should still lead to 1

Over to you! In school groups, how can you show the effectiveness of  In-class support  Small groups  TA–run school clubs Discuss and design!

AIMS  Understand what it means to be an effective TA  Know OFSTED’s expectations of schools regarding vulnerable students  Plan suitable ways to show evidence of being effective

Thank you for your contribution