Managing Teaching Assistants: A Guide for Headteachers, Managers and Teachers - Softcover

Watkinson, Anne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415269946 ISBN 13: 9780415269940

Publisher: Routledge, 2003

Synopsis

This is a practical guide to the role, management, and deployment of teaching assistants. It offers comprehensive and informed support, underpinned by illustrative case studies throughout. Information and practical guidance is given on:

• the role and competencies of teaching assistants
• how to audit the existing teaching assistant provision in the school
• the teaching assistant's role in planning, delivery and feedback
• how to appoint, induct, mentor and appraise teaching assistants
• the effective management of teaching assistants by teachers and managers, and the need for a whole school approach
• opportunities for continual professional development for teaching assistants.

This book is based on extensive observation of teaching assistants working in schools, and will have practical significance and implications for headteachers, senior management staff, teachers, LEA advisors, trainers and consultants.

About this title

Synopsis

This book is based on the research done by the author while working as a Senior Adviser in an LEA The demand for courses for assistants, and advice for headteachers and senior management led to an in depth study of what TAs actually do in the classroom to support the teaching and learning. This book shares the rich picture of their work, but also gives many pointers for those who manage schools into how to make the best use of their assistants. The book recounts the process of the research with the problems encountered by being part of the educational hierarchy. Following an exploration of what was known about TAs in the UK and a survey of schools in the LEA area, case studies were undertaken in two schools with differing philosophies of deployment of TAs. The observations of TAs at work gave details of the ways in which they supported learners, the teachers, the school and increasingly, the curriculum. The research also showed how their effectiveness depended on the people they were, their professional development opportunities and support of their schools.

Interviews and other data provided information about what underpinned their work, the ways in which the schools managed them in the changing educational scene, and their dependence in the wider LEA and national context. While the TAs observed were clearly professionals in their own right, showing many of the characteristics of good teachers, they could only achieve their potential with appropriate management and a supportive climate in their schools. Given the growth in numbers and increasing national profile of this group of school staff, this book gives helpful advice for any member of senior management looking for ways to enhance the teaching and learning in their schools. It also suggests the implications for policy makers and provides a wealth of information for those responsible for the training of TAs.

About the Author

Dr Anne Watkinson is an ex-headteacher and LEA senior adviser who now works as an independent consultant on Teaching Assistant matters. She has also worked for both the DfEE and DfES

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0415269946
• ISBN 13: 9780415269940
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208