The SENDcast Working Effectively with TAs with Sara Alston
Teaching Assistants (TAs) are the unsung heroes in schools - and an incredible resource. Yet their impact is often limited when teachers aren't equipped to work with them effectively. We're missing out on a lot of potential by not optimising how TAs support learning.
In this episode, Sara Alston, a renowned SEND and safeguarding consultant, joins Dale to discuss 'working effectively with TAs'.
"I would much prefer to talk about 'learning support assistants' because their role is to support learning, not to assist the teacher."
Sara Alston
What you can expect from this discussion:
- How to improve communication and shared planning with TAs.
- Clarifying the TA role and moving away from the 1:1 "Velcro TA".
- The importance of regular appraisals and a clear line management structure.
- Guidance for educating parents about the TA's role.
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About Sara Alston
Sara Alston has over 39 years teaching experience as a classroom teacher, school leader, SENCO and DSL and is now an independent SEND and Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer. She provides support and training to schools for special needs and safeguarding.
She is the co-author of The Inclusive Classroom: A New Approach to Differentiation (Bloomsbury, 2021) and author of Working Effectively with Your TA (Bloomsbury, 2023). She writes regular articles for SecEd and Headteacher Update.
Contact Sara
https://www.facebook.com/seainclusion.co.uk/
Useful Links
Working Effectively with your TA book
- B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
- Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
- Email Dale – dale@bsquared.co.uk
- Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals - which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.