I agree with other correspondents on your Letters page that there is a need to have correct training and a career structure within this role. I also believe that teaching assistants should be paid more for the work that they do.
However, let us not forget the nursery nurses through all this. Last September I joined the Foundation Stage team as their nursery nurse. My workload and responsibilities have increased, which I am more than happy with, but my salary is less per hour now than it would have been had I been working as a teaching assistant. If it wasn't for the fact that I get paid on a full-time scale like all the teaching staff and that teaching assistants get paid term-time only, I would be worse off financially.
It is about time the Government recognised our autonomy and provided a clear structure and the sort of salary that we are worthy of.
Teresa Maudlin Lowestoft, Suffolk
