The guidance states that teaching assistants can cover lessons or lead lessons as long as it is under the supervision of a teacher. Teaching assistants can also deliver catch up and intervention work.
The guidance specifically says:
“Where support staff capacity is available, schools may consider using this to support catch-up provision or targeted interventions. Teaching assistants may also be deployed to lead groups or cover lessons, under the direction and supervision of a qualified, or nominated, teacher (under the Education (Specified Work) (England) Regulations 2012 for maintained schools and non-maintained special schools and in accordance with the freedoms provided under the funding agreement for academies). Any redeployments should not be at the expense of supporting pupils with SEND. Headteachers should be satisfied that the person has the appropriate skills, expertise and experience to carry out the work, and discuss and agree any proposed changes in role or responsibility with the member of staff. This includes ensuring that safe ratios are met, and/or specific training undertaken, for any interventions or care for pupils with complex needs where specific training or specific ratios are required.”
We are advising that the guidance accurately reflects that it is not a new provision – it is already available under existing legislation which states: (under the Education (Specified Work) (England) Regulations 2012/762 Instructors with special qualifications or experience)
“6.— Persons who may carry out specified work under supervision
(1) This paragraph applies to a person who carries out specified work in a school where —
(a) the person carries out such work in order to assist or support the work of a qualified teacher or a nominated teacher in the school;
(b) the person is subject to the direction and supervision of a qualified teacher or nominated teacher in accordance with arrangements made by the head teacher of the school; and
(c) the head teacher is satisfied that the person has the skills, expertise and experience required to carry out specified work.
(2) In this paragraph a “nominated teacher” means a person who is mentioned in [paragraphs 2 or 3] of this Schedule and who is nominated by the head teacher where the head teacher considers that appropriate in the circumstances.
(3) In determining whether the person mentioned in sub- paragraph (1) has the skills, expertise and experience required to carry out specified work in a school, the head teacher may have regard to —
(a) such standards for higher-level teaching assistants, or guidance concerning school support staff as may be published from time to time by the Secretary of State; and
(b) such guidance as to contractual matters relating to school support staff as may be published from time to time by any local authority or other employer.”
Furthermore, there is common practice in schools where the skills, experience or expertise is based on the qualification held by the teaching assistant. For example:
- Level 2 TAs could “assist the teacher in the management of pupils and the classroom”,
- Level 3 TAs could “supervise whole classes occasionally during the short-term absence of teachers. The primary focus will be to maintain good order and to keep pupils on task.”
- Level 4 TAs could take “responsibility for agreed learning activities under an agreed system of supervision. This may involve planning, preparing and delivering learning activities for individuals/groups or short term for whole classes and monitoring pupils and assessing, recording and reporting on pupil’s achievement, progress and development.”