Professional standards for teaching assistants

These teaching assistant standards are non-mandatory and non-statutory, but they sit alongside the statutory standards for teachers and headteachers and help to define the role and purpose of teaching assistants to ensure that schools can maximise the educational value and contribution of employees working directly with pupils.

The primary role of the LSA should be to work with teachers to raise the learning and attainment of pupils while also promoting their independence, self esteem and social inclusion. They give assistance to pupils so that they can access the curriculum, participate in learning and experience a sense of achievement.

Personal and professional conduct In order for LSAs to provide effective support to teachers and pupils, they need to be clear about their role and responsibilities and how these fit within the wider structure of the school. In the same way as teachers, LSAs operate in a position of trust and are seen by pupils as role models. They should be able to maintain proper boundaries with pupils and their behaviours should reflect this responsible position.

• Having proper and professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school.

• Demonstrate positive attitudes, values and behaviours.• Being aware of safeguarding policies, procedures and

practise.• Upholding values that are consistent with those of teachers,

particularly regarding individual difference and diversity.• Committed to self-improvement using reflective practise

and self-awareness.

Knowledge and understanding LSAs should have sufficient knowledge and skills to help teachers support pupils in achieving their maximum potential. This could include: subject knowledge; specialist skills and knowledge to support pupils with special educational needs or disabilities; knowledge of the curriculum; pedagogical knowledge; behaviour management strategies.

• Share responsibility for ensuring that their own knowledge and understanding is relevant and up to date by reflecting on their own practice, liaising with school leaders, and identifying relevant professional development to improve personal effectiveness.

• Demonstrate expertise and skills to enable the school to meet the needs of all students and the ability to contribute effectively to adapt and change according to the student's individual needs.

• Show a level of expertise and knowledge relevant to their role and responsibilities. With the ability to apply this effectively to support teachers and learners.

• Understand the LSA role within the context of the classroom and the wider school environment, also understanding that they could extend beyond a support role.

Teaching and learning An important part of the role of an LSA is to support the teacher in ensuring the best possible outcomes for all pupils. The standards in this theme recognise that LSAs work under the supervision of a teacher in accordance with normal practise within the school.

• Use relevant and useful strategies that support the work of the class teacher and increase the achievement of all students, the LSA should demonstrate an informed and knowledgeable approach to teaching and learning.

• Promote, support and facilitate inclusion.• Use effective behaviour management strategies consistently in line

with the school’s policy and procedures. • Contribute to effective assessment and planning by supporting the

monitoring, recording and reporting of pupil performance and progress as appropriate to the level of the role.

• Communication skills that allow an LSA to sensitively and effectively adapt to the needs of learners and support their learning.

Working with others LSAs work with other professionals, parents, carers and outside agencies as well as with pupils themselves. This quality was seen as vital in the role of the LSA and so it was felt necessary that it should have it’s own section.

• Recognise and respect the role and contribution of other professionals, parents and carers by liaising effectively and working in partnership with them.

• With the class teacher, keep other professionals accurately informed of performance and progress or concerns they may have about the pupils they work with.

• Understand and fulfill their responsibility to share knowledge to inform planning and decision making.

• Understand their role in order to be able to work collaboratively other professionals.

• Communicate their knowledge and understanding of pupils to other professionals when needed.

What, why and who?• To be used as a tool by SLT, governors , employers and

most importantly you!• Should help to define job roles and descriptions.• Applicable to all phases of education.• Are intended to raise the professionalism of our roles

within schools.• May be used to support performance management.• Should never be used as a checklist!

Miss is absolutely amazing and she deserves an award for putting up with me. Well done Miss it has encouraged me!

When I come to LS I’m happy because all of the teachers are so nice to me. And everyone has a smile on their face.

Really pleased with moving up to higher sets in English & Maths. Enjoyed coming to LS, I like to read.

Whenever I needed help I

knew that I can go to Learning

Support.

I liked the sessions and think they helped me. I usually do quite well with my spelling tests (18/20) but for the first time ever a couple of weeks ago I got 20/20! I’m happy to carry on with these sessions next school year.

The sessions really made a difference

These lessons are helping me learn better and are really fun.

My LS lessons have helped me understand different topics I never did before.

Helpful and fun!

I think that these sessions have really helped me improve my skills and I believe that without them I would not have improved as much. I really appreciate it and Miss has been amazing in helping me.

I have had a lot of help and reassurance

from Learning Support

I found the sessions very useful and very productive. They were also very enjoyable.

I feel much more confident now.

I found reading very useful because I feel like I can spell better and read harder words.It’s been really helpful and I’d like to do it again.

Miss makes the work really fun!