This is a practical guide to the role, management, and deployment of teaching assistants. It offers comprehensive and informed support, underpinned by illustrative case studies throughout. Information and practical guidance is given on:the role and competencies of teaching assistantshow to audit the existing teaching assistant provision in the schoolthe teaching assistant's role in planning, delivery and feedbackhow to appoint, induct, mentor and appraise teaching assistantsthe effective management of teaching assistants by teachers and managers, and the need for a whole school approachopportunities for continual professional development for teaching assistants.This book is based on extensive observation of teaching assistants working in schools, and will have practical significance and implications for headteachers, senior management staff, teachers, LEA advisors, trainers and consultants.
Dr Anne Watkinson is an ex-headteacher and LEA senior adviser who now works as an independent consultant on Teaching Assistant matters. She has also worked for both the DfEE and DfES
1. Introduction 2. What Teaching Assistants can do 3. The local circumstances - auditing the existing situation in a school 4. Maximising the potential of Teaching Assistants 5. Management systems and structures relating to Teaching Assistants 6. Employing Teaching Assistants: From recruitment to review 7. Teaching Assistants and teaching: Teachers as managers 8. Teaching Assistants' personal and professional development 9. Looking ahead
'Anne Watkinson digs deep into the TA's role as a member of the teaching team, supporting her analysis with case studies, advice on school policies and practical examples of what to do at classroom level. This is an essential book for any senior management team trying to work out a whole-school approach to including TAs, but it is also a source for advice on how to work with TAs in the classroom.' - Times Educational Supplement