1st Edition

Teaching Assistants Practical Strategies for Effective Classroom Support

By Maggie Balshaw, Peter Farrell Copyright 2002
144 Pages
by David Fulton Publishers

144 Pages
by David Fulton Publishers

This practical book is intended to support schools and LEAs in developing effective strategies in working with teaching assistants. It is related to the DfEE's recently published Good Practice Guide (2000). Suggested approaches are supported with real examples from practice, showing the reality of how schools can review and develop practice and so become more effective in their management and... Read more
Part 1 Background to the development of the Good Practice Guide: recent developments in the work of teaching assistants; the origins of the Good Practice Guide; managing developments and review in practice; defining responsibilities clearly; providing clear deployment within a flexible framework; creating partnerships with teachers; working with others involved in education; developing assistant teams; reviewing performance and promoting development. Part 2 Strategies drawn from experiences in schools and LEAs: developing clear job descriptions and accountabilities; exploring flexible strategies; planning for teamwork with teachers; drawing parents, governors and others into the work of assistants; creating opportunities for team development; devising induction, professional development reviews and records of achievements; working effectively with teaching assistants - the next steps.

Biography

Maggie Balshaw is an independent freelance consultant and researcher in staff development and school improvement. Peter Farrell is Professor of Special Needs and Educational Psychology at the University of Manchester.