Government to review the status and professionalism of teaching assistants

As part of the review, a panel of experts will come up with a new set of standards to raise the status and professionalism of teaching assistants.

The new clearer and concise standards will replace the current set and better reflect the diversity of the schools system.

They will also aim to:

• steer the professional development of teaching assistants at all levels;
• inspire confidence in teaching assistants and ensure that schools use their skills and expertise to the best effect;
• focus primarily on the key elements of their professional relationship with teachers to ensure that all pupils attain the highest possible standards.

Schools will be able to use the new standards to assess the performance of teaching assistants.

Chair of the review Kate Dethridge, principal of Churchend Primary Academy in Reading, said, ‘I welcome this opportunity to work with colleagues to write a set of standards to raise the status and professionalism of teaching assistants across our schools. We hope to ensure that the development of these standards will make a significant contribution to a self-improving, school-led system.’

Schools Minister David Laws said, ‘Good teaching assistants are essential to driving up standards in the classroom and helping students fulfil their full potential.

‘Kate Dethridge and the expert panel supporting her will bring a wealth of experience to this review, which will help to ensure the continuing improvement of school standards under this Government.'

The review panel will report back to the secretary of state for education, Nicky Morgan, in spring 2015.

Deborah Lawson, general secretary of Voice the union, said, ‘Voice welcomes this review and looks forward to working with the Department for Education on the standards.

‘Research has demonstrated that teaching assistants make a significant and valuable contribution to the way pupils learn and achieve.

‘However, they need a proper career and salary structure. The Government’s decision in October 2010 to scrap the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB) before it had even got off the ground was a bitter disappointment and an insult to our dedicated school support staff. 

‘We hope that this new review will examine this issue. If teaching assistants are to have professional standards, they must be treated as professionals.’

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt has said that a Labour government would reinstate the SSNB for the lowest paid in the school workforce.

The SSNB was set up by the previous Labour Government to discuss and set pay and conditions for teaching assistants and other support staff, but was scrapped by the coalition.