Teaching Assistants

[sherrardk]

Apparently Gove is considering removing teaching assistants from schools. If it wasn't for his TA, thing 2 would be having a terrible time at school and his speech would not be as fab as it is. If you feel you can, will you please sign this petition - http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/say-no-to-removal-of-teaching-assistants. Thanks.

[gness]

Will happily sign....better to make a stand now rather than when it has been implemented.

[Mamyalynne]

Signed, as said TAs are an asset we cannot lose.


Factor if there are other petitions on education related subjects, post them and will happily read and sign.

[flump1]

Done Sherr.

[factor-fiction]

In recent weeks I have done some wok in SEN type schools where there are 3-TAs for every teacher. It needs to be that way. I do not believe there is any chance of anyone trying to slash the numbers on a large scale in such an environment.

In mainstream schools the numbers have proliferated to deal with all the additional needs that have become more prevalent (ADHD etc, slow processing of information, dyscalculia etc), so it's right to review whether the numbers are justified, but given how inexpensive TAs are compared to teachers (and TAs don't get paid in holidays) and the work they do with small groups, I think as a cost-saving measure the figures wouldn't stand up as we'd need more teachers. Certainly more good teachers would leave the profession.

[factor-fiction]

Okay, I'm outnumbered on this. I'm just wondering whether the usefulness of petitions is diluted when petitions are used for things that are based on speculation. I prefer to wait to see some firm proposals.

[sherrardk]

FF - personally would prefer to err on the side of caution. I saw the link on FB and took three seconds to complete it. The original suggestions seem to emanate from Reform (http://www.reform.co.uk/search?query=Teaching+assistants).

[marval]

I have signed it.

[Svejk]

It takes a brave man/woman to swim against the crowd. Quite agree with you, Factor.

[Caran]

Done Sherr

[Sparkles62]

Signed and put on FB.
I worked for many years as a TA, and one of my Daughters is currently working as a TA and in her last year of training as a SENCO. X

[Canary42]

Give won't understand that petition, some words have got more than four letters.

[jno]

those 38degrees petitions have proved very effective in some cases, eg the selling off of forests (I think that was the first one).

They are currently running a petition against a gagging law aimed at shutting up organisations like themselves and charities for a year before elections, which seems an extraordinary attack on democratic free speech.

http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2013/10/10/gagging-law-next-stop-the-house-of-lords/

[lozzer50]

Gove is as much use as a chocolate fireguard he is ruining education, we need him out !

[roslyn251254]

We have signed - ta's do an excellent job looking after children who would otherwise be left and fail