Assistants valued by class teachers

Mr Stephen said, 'The research shows that this initiative lets teachers do more of what they do best - teach. It is encouraging that the study found that there was a belief among a majority of headteachers and teachers that classroom assistants have had an indirect impact on pupils' attainment.

They allow teachers to spend more time on teaching and planning, which will ultimately improve the quality of lessons our children receive.'

The Executive had provided funding for up to 5,000 classroom assistants to be recruited in primary schools by 2002 to provide support for learning and undertake administrative support under the direction of classroom teachers.

The evaluation of the scheme, carried out by a unit within the Executive education department, found most teachers thought they now had more time to spend on teaching, planning and managing learning. Pupils themselves enjoyed working with classroom assistants and appreciated the extra support, and clearly distinguished between assistants, whom they saw as 'helpers', and teachers.

The majority of classroom assistants who responded to the evaluation were satisfied with their jobs, their hours and conditions of work, but approximately half were dissatisfied with their salaries. However, the report, Classroom Assistants: Key Issues from the National Evaluation, which is available on www.scotland.gov.uk,says, 'A number of teachers were uncertain about how best to balance the allocation of classroom assistants'

time between routine tasks and support for pupils. In some cases this caused dissatisfaction, usually because the classroom assistants preferred to spend more time with pupils than undertaking administrative duties.'

Meanwhile, the National Union of Teachers, one of the leading unions in England, has found that many of its members believe teaching assistants are on disgracefully poor salaries which must be improved if they are given increased responsibilities.

An NUT survey found teachers anxious about some aspects of the Government's proposals for changing the role of teaching assistants in England. Some fear teachers will end up spending their time on planning, assessment and managing assistants while assistants deliver lessons.

The report, available on www.teachers.org.uk, says, 'If teaching assistants increasingly take over responsibility for the most enjoyable part of a teacher's job - face-to-face contact with children - potential teachers may choose to be TAs instead.'

The most unpopular proposal, opposed by 89 per cent, was that assistants should cover for teachers' absence. One NUT member said, 'I am very worried that teaching assistants are going to be used as teachers on the cheap.'