Making best use of teaching assistants: Support staff survey
Please help us to gather some data on HLTA and support staff views on the seven recommendations for effective use of TAs that were identified in Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants, by Jonathan Sharples (Institute for Effective Education & EEF), Rob Webster (UCL Institute of Education) and Peter Blatchford (UCL Institute of Education.
You can access the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PZMFSRM
The survey asks HLTAs and TAs to rate the degree to which they feel they individually meet these recommendations in their work. There are only 15 short questions to answer and should take no more than 3 minutes. We would appreciate your contribution and ask you please to pass on this link below to any support staff colleagues, TA or HLTA, who might be interested also.
The document urges school leaders and teachers to strongly consider these seven evidence-based recommendations:
• Teaching assistants should not be used as substitute teachers for low-attaining pupils
• Use teaching assistants to add value to what teachers do, not replace them
• Use teaching assistants to help pupils develop independent study skills and manage their own learning.
• Ensure teaching assistants are fully prepared for their role in the classroom through out of class liaison with teachers.
• Use teaching assistants to deliver high-quality one-to-one and small group support using structured interventions
• Adopt evidence-based interventions to support teaching assistants in their small group and one-to-one instruction
• It is important that what students learn from teaching assistants complements what they are being taught in the classroom.
