1. TA Toolkit Teacher Session
Session 1 – What we do – does it work ?

2. Session Objectives

3. Objectives
Be clear about the purpose and expectations of the role of a TA
Understand what makes a difference and what doesn’t
Begin to identify ways for TA’s to be more effective and have greater impact
Ensure that we know how important the role of the teacher is to success with a TA

4. The Role – An Overview

5. The Role … .. Helping with classroom resources and records
It’s All About Support ..
… for the TA in carrying out the responsibilities and functions of the role
… by the TA for pupils, teacher and school
.. Helping with classroom resources and records
… helping with the care and support of pupils
… providing support for learning activities
… providing support for colleagues

6. look at the Job Descriptions for your TA’s …
Now take an
opportunity to
look at the Job Descriptions for your TA’s …

7. Does this describe what you expect of your TA ?
Do you expect MORE or LESS ?
How do you know that your TA is
having a real impact ?
Could impact and effectiveness
be improved ?

8. What the Research Shows Us…

9. What We Know There is very little research on Teaching Assistants
The most useful was produced by the Sutton Trust in 2011
It looked at lots of evidence from around the world
It identified those methods or approaches that had impact and those that didn’t

10. Method / Approach / Aspect
The Sutton Trust
The trust identified 34 aspects of school life and assessed what the cost was to provide it and what impact it had on learning ….
Homework +1
Cost
£ = Low
£££££ = High
Method / Approach / Aspect
Impact
(In Months)
+ = positive
- = negative

11. The Sutton Trust +8 +6 +5 Individual Feedback Early Years Intervention
The top three activities that have impact in primary schools …
Individual Feedback +8 ££
Early Years Intervention +6
£££££
One to One Tuition +5
££££

12. The bottom three activities that have impact in primary schools …
The Sutton Trust
The bottom three activities that have impact in primary schools …
Setting / Streaming -1
Physical Environment -1 ££
Uniform

13. What did it say about teaching assistants ?
The Sutton Trust
What did it say about teaching assistants ?
Setting / Streaming +1
££££

14. The Sutton Trust No Difference Between Progress In Classes With No TA
What else did it say about teaching assistants ?
TA Duties Differ From School To School 1
General Duties Have Limited Effect 2
No Difference Between Progress In Classes With No TA 4
Individual Support Shows Moderate Benefits 3
Some Children Can Perform Worse With TA Support 5
Often The Lower Ability That Get TA Support – This Means No Teacher Input 6
Can Impact Positively On Pupil Attitude & Teacher Morale 8
Important That TA’s Supplement Teacher Input and NOT Substitute It 7

15. What Does This Mean For Us ?
Consider these questions ….
Does the research seem to ring true in your school ?
Does their view on Teaching Assistants make sense ?
What evidence do you have to support or challenge this view ?
Are TA’s supporting learning or managing tasks ?
How we measure the impact they are having in school ?

16. So, What Next …

17. Be honest but realistic!
Next Steps…
Between now and
the next session,
please complete
the Teachers Views No1
worksheet.
Be honest but realistic!

18. Session End

19. TA Toolkit Teacher Session
Session 2 : How Effective Are Our TA’s ?

20. Objectives Identify what effective good practice exists
Review job expectations
Identify strengths and weaknesses
Agree what our non-negotiables should be

21. You were asked to complete this assessment between the last
session and now.
Consider :
What are the common strands between your views ?
Is the view that you really know what the TA’s feel or think ?
What opportunities for improvement spring to mind immediately ?

22. Part B : Being Effective

23. Therefore, to be effective…
What is ‘effective’ …
Successful or achieving the results you want …
(Oxford English Dictionary)
Therefore, to be effective…
We need to know what the
outcomes and expectations are …

24. We have defined ‘effective’ under
eight themes…
Personal & ProfessionalKnowledge 1
Commitment &
Motivation 2
Planning
& Personal
Organisation 3
Pupil
Progress
Focus 5
Problem
Solving &
Decision
Making 8
Relationships With
Colleagues 4
Teamworking 7
Communication 6

25. will be given to your TA to reflect on.
Now, individually work
through the four
worksheets on each of the
eight areas of
effective practice. Identify
areas where YOUR TA is more effective and
areas where they are
less effective.
REMEMBER – these
will be given to your TA to reflect on.

26. Now – review all the areas and summarise your views on this
sheet.
Again, remember
that these will be
given to your TA.

27. Session End - Thank You -

28. TA Toolkit Teacher Sessions
Session 3 : How else could you support ? What are the non-negotiables in your school ?

29. Objectives
Identify new ways in which TA’s could work within the school, classroom or with individual pupils
Identify barriers to them becoming more effective
Agree what should we expect of each other professionally

30. Session 3 : Part A

31. If the school is to be effective then it must always :
Review it’s own performance
Identify areas of strength to build on
Identify areas of weakness to address
Ensure that all it’s elements (such as staffing, resources, time) are being used to the greatest effect

32. In Our School … We Spend £XXXX On TA’s Each Year
If Not, How Do We Know That
The Investment Is Worth It ?
Can We Quantify What Impact
TA’s Have In This School ?
In Our School …
This Equates To
XXX% Of Our
Budget
How Are They
Contributing To
These Areas ?
Our Schools Key Areas Of
Improvement
This Year Are …

33. How Do We Know… That TA’s Are Valued ? That What TA’s Do Makes A
That The
Activities TA’s
Provide Are
Motivating ?
That What TA’s Do Makes A
Difference ?
How Do We
Know…
That Children
Enjoy Their
Time With
Their TA?
That Working Differently May Not Have A
Bigger Impact ?
That Your
Partnerships
Are Effective?

34. We have identified five work areas that we believe TAs could
Target
Groups
Liaison
We have identified five work areas
that we believe TAs could
possibly develop their role in.
Whole Class Role
These areas are ….
Managing A Group
Finally …

35. Work your way
through Section 3 of
the Prompt Cards
and record your
thoughts on the
associated
worksheets …

36. barriers to making this
Now – share your
thoughts with the
rest of the group.
How can you be
sure that this will
have value and
impact on
standards ?
What are the
barriers to making this
happen ?

37. Session 3 : Part B

38. differently or changing what you do completely. To move on, we also 1 2
Often the things that
make a real difference
aren’t major. It’s not
always about doing
more, but often about
doing something
differently or changing
what you do completely.
To move on, we also
need to be clear about
expectations – what we can expect from
ourselves and what we
can expect from our
school (incl. teachers).

39. In small groups, identify what you believe should
be non-negotiable in your
school. Remember that
this is related to three
themes :
The school
Teachers
TA’s

40. What will be the impact of these non- negotiables ?
How will you know they are effective ?
What are the potential barriers to making them work ?
How will you share these and get others to ‘buy in’ to them ?

41. Session End - Thank You -