Teaching Assistant

A Teaching Assistant (TA) is a member of school staff who provides individual support for those students who have difficulties connected to learning, behaviour or attention and helps them develop confidence and motivation, good working habits and the willingness to finish a task. In an inclusive educational environment, TAs act as essential facilitators of accessibility, adapting learning materials under the teacher's guidance to meet the diverse needs of pupils with disabilities or special educational requirements (SEN).

The effective use of Teaching Assistants:

a) Teaching Assistants should not be used as an informal teaching resource for low attaining pupils.
b) TAs should actively help pupils develop independent learning skills and manage their own learning.
c) TAs should be used to deliver high quality one-to-one and small group support using structured interventions.
d) TAs should collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure barrier-free participation of all students in classroom activities.


References:

Radford, J., Bosanquet, P., & Blatchford, P. (2015). Scaffolding learning for independence: Clarifying teacher and teaching assistant roles for children with special educational needs. Learning and Instruction, 36, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2014.10.005

Sharma, U., & Salend, S. J. (2016). Teaching Assistants in Inclusive Classrooms: A Systematic Analysis of the International Research. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 41(5), 117–134. https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2016v41n8.7

Sharples, J., Webster, R., & Blatchford, P. (2018). Making Best Use of Teaching Assistants. Guidance Report. Education Endowment Foundation. Retrieved from: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED612187.pdf