Just the Teaching Assistant

@Headteacherchat @HLTAUK No, it’s not fair. HLTAs are not paid for this, the role described is a TEACHER job share.

Anonymous query: If a teacher is on a four-day timetable, is it reasonable for an HLTA or cover supervisor to take the class on day five, given that all the lessons are already planned?

@RogersHistory Can’t afford TAs to be only anything other than minimum wage though

This is pretty mad whichever way you look at it, even more so the increases. Eye watering stuff.

@ICT_MrP Also, it will be the TAs that cover ! They should, of course , have the same flexibility but somehow us lowest wage lot never seem to get that.

On Loose Women today they were talking about teachers having a bit more flexibility despite the holidays. We’re living in a world where more and more jobs are hybrid, flexible and built around real life. Teaching is one of the few professions that hasn’t moved with the times.

@ICT_MrP There should be a degree of flexibility, my god, teachers go above and beyond. But not so that there is regular time off. Not fair on the class.

@UnofficialOA This sounds very familiar

“Every time I start talking I am interrupted, turn by turn, by at least 8 pupils. I can’t even give an explanation. When they’re finally silent for 30s, 3 pupils will raise their hand to ask to go the toilet or an inane off topic Q. Repeat for an hour. I’m quitting.”

@Southgloshead That really is pissing the night away

Busy writing a blog on tips for the new OFSTED framework whilst listening to Chumbawamba and drinking cider. Which is my idea of fun FYI.

My headteacher sometimes (quite often)isn’t in school and nobody says where he is. We had 8 staff off last week in a small school and he still wasn’t in. Feels a bit odd?

@Hannah_Digest I’ve just resigned . After 8 years.

@Hannah_Digest Because the job is too much now .

Burnout, insomnia and anxiety regularly experienced by teaching assistants twinkl.co.uk/l/1cke7x

@educationgovuk Embarrassing

We’ll take this one on this chin 👍

@SchoolsWeek So. More TAs and HLTAs covering classes for not much more than minimum wage then..

The government believes schools can find savings through adjusting the make-up of leadership teams and deployment of support staff, as it prepares to leave them to foot the bill for future teacher pay rises schoolsweek.co.uk/10-things-we-l…

@John_Dabell Been thinking about you a lot , thank you for sharing , sending love .

I am now off ICU and on a ward. Still a way to go yet. May have to have a permanent feed to prevent this happening again. Extremely challenging situation and tough days ahead.

@xAimieCrewex I remember a child telling me their dad had died and mine bad too and I just wanted to sob and hug them .

@xAimieCrewex It’s the having to have composure and show no emotion in front of children that’s what makes it a different job to others

@EnajaratG @Headteacherchat I fed back that our Christmas do out priced a lot of staff and it was making us feel crap and the head teacher said he was just glad someone had organised it .

@Headteacherchat Whose idea was it to price people out of the event? £39 is way too much. I feel so much for those people who probably now feel secondhand. Very bad planning. Can't you cancel it? I would.

Anon post: We’ve just sent out the email for the staff Christmas party, but four of our fantastic TAs have already declined because they can’t afford the £39 cost per person. I really don’t want finances to be a barrier to them joining. Has anyone found good, low-cost or inclusive alternatives to ensure everyone can celebrate together?

@Headteacherchat Thanks to the OP for being so considerate, it’s so important these things are inclusive .

@LeeBraganza We had this list , what on earth do you do if you haven’t paid to clean?!

Our Airbnb holiday comes to an end and this is my favourite part. Tidy the apartment, strip the beds, put the bins and recycling out, water the plants and still pay ££££ for the cleaning costs. 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

Genuinely don’t know if it’s normal To have their stuff about ..

@Southgloshead I always read “ Derek Drew” and the children always gasp at Mrs Butler’s responses. Great fun.

It was read to me by my Junior School HT in the 80’s. I still read it to my KS2 children now. Faux rage whilst reading ‘Scissors’ still gets a laugh. RIP Allan.

@GaryRobertsIOM @MichaelRosenYes I do this too !

@MichaelRosenYes Whenever friends or family have a new baby, my wife and I buy them a copy of Peepo. I think it is the best baby book ever written.

Goodbye Allan. You were a pioneer of great children's literature, both in picture books and poetry. You were clever, funny and wise. My children loved your books. So did and so DO I. theguardian.com/books/2025/jul…