Number of Teaching Assistants Reduce

According to a new report, schools in England are at risk of losing teaching assistants (TAs) to better-paid jobs in supermarkets and other places because of the cost of living crisis.

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Headteachers have warned that cuts to school budgets and promised staff pay rises – which the government will not fund – would put schools in a desperate situation. Many will have to cut TA roles, removing support for some of the most vulnerable children.

 

Researchers at the University of Portsmouth’s Education Research, Innovation and Consultancy Unit found that TAs are paid an average of just £14,500 a year – far below the £21,000 ‘living wage’. Many TAs are forced to take second jobs or claim benefits to meet ends.

 

The report highlights the ‘chronic’ low pay of TAs and warns that unless something is done to address this, schools will find it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain them. This would have a devastating impact on the education of children who rely on TAs for support.

 

Recommendations from the report include:

 

– The government should urgently review the funding of schools so that they can afford to pay TAs a living wage.

 

– Schools should consider ways to reduce the workload of TAs so they can be paid for the hours they work.

 

– School governing bodies should ensure that TAs are included in any pay negotiations, so their voices are heard.

 

– TAs should be allowed to progress in their careers to earn a better wage.

 

The report’s author, Dr Mary Bousted, said: “The government cannot continue to ignore the plight of teaching assistants. They are vital to our education system but are treated as second-class citizens.

 

“If we want to attract and retain the best people in this vital role, we must start valuing them properly. That means paying them a living wage and giving them opportunities to progress in their careers.”

 

According to the report, around 250,000 TAs work in England’s schools. They play a vital role in supporting teachers and helping children to learn. However, they are often the first to be made redundant when schools face budget cuts.

 

This is because their jobs are seen as ‘non-essential’ and are not always included in pay negotiations. As a result, TAs are paid an average of £14,500 yearly – far below the £21,000 ‘living wage’. Many TAs are forced to take second jobs or claim benefits to meet ends.

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The report highlights the ‘chronic’ low pay of TAs and warns that unless something is done to address this, schools will find it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain them. This would have a devastating impact on the education of children who rely on TAs for support.

 

Recommendations from the report include:

 

– The government should urgently review the funding of schools so that they can afford to pay TAs a living wage.

 

– Schools should consider ways to reduce the workload of TAs so they can be paid for the hours they work.

 

– School governing bodies should ensure that TAs are included in any pay negotiations, so their voices are heard.

 

– TAs should be allowed to progress in their careers to earn a better wage.

 

The report’s author, Dr Mary Bousted, said: “The government cannot continue to ignore the plight of teaching assistants. They are vital to our education system but are treated as second-class citizens.

 

“If we want to attract and retain the best people in this vital role, we must start valuing them properly. That means paying them a living wage and giving them opportunities to progress in their careers.”

 

According to the report, around 250,000 TAs work in England’s schools. They play a vital role in supporting teachers and helping children to learn. However, they are often the first to be made redundant when schools face budget cuts.

 

What do you think should be done to address the issue of low pay for TAs? Let us know in the comments.

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