Blog Archive of: 2015

The TA Professional Standards: How the DfE turned an easy win into an own goal

15 October 2015

The DfE’s decision not to publish the draft standards for teaching assistants is disappointing, self-defeating and leaves the Government’s commitment to the professional status and development of TAs in tatters. Will they ever see the light of day.....?

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Why the hold up? The DfE can show they value the role and contribution of TAs by publishing the professional standards NOW!

11 September 2015

The government has admitted to another delay to the publication of the new professional standards for teaching assistants, but nothing would show a greater statement of intent and support for schools by getting them out there now. After all, the timing couldn’t be better…

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The power and potential of teaching assistants’ talk

01 September 2015

How can we connect TAs with the kinds of practice that have a measurable impact on achievement? Our new book, The Teaching Assistant’s Guide to Effective Interaction, aims to grow schools' capacity and opportunity for the valuable types of classroom talk that improve pupils' independence and their relationship with learning.

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The freedom to make decisions about teaching assistants is nothing new, but now school leaders have the means to unlock their potential

26 February 2015

Evidence-informed guidance and the DfE's new pro​fessional standards for TAs offer school leaders actionable recommendations to help TAs thrive in their role and improve outcomes for pupils.

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DfE apologises to teachers over workload and stress. Kind of.

07 February 2015

The DfE has finally announced the findings from its Workload Challenge and a ‘new deal’ to tackle the causes of teachers’ stress and excessive working hours. Is it enough to win over the profession, three months out from a general election...?

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