Rhondda Cynon Taf - Remodelling
Using Resources Effectively

ENCOURAGING SUPPORT STAFF TO OBTAIN QUALIFICATIONS

School Profile

Head teacher name: Gerald Mahoney
School name: Pantysgallog Primary School
Learning Assistant: Curriculum Support
Phase: 1 / 2
Number of pupils:

Role and Responsibilities

I have been pleased at the development of the whole remodelling process at Pantysgallog. The introduction of PPA time has been smooth with very little in the way of problems. There initially was a concern on my part, when one of my part time teaching staff informed me quite late in the Summer Term that she didn’t wish to be considered for covering PPA. I was fortunate however, to have a contingency plan in place and I contacted a local teacher who is part retired to come along and fill this role. The individual employed is well known to us at the school and has been well used as a supply teacher at the school. He is an outstanding Upper Key Stage Two teacher and we have used him in this way. He now works from September two days a week at Pantysgallog and covers the PPA for our four oldest classes.

I then followed this up by appointing one of our Classroom Assistants as an HLTA. This lady is an outstanding talent. She is currently undertaking an Open University degree course and is also pursuing a qualification in Mathematics in the local college. This lady is also attending many and varied courses with ESIS to help support her new role. She is an exceptionally talented artist and our “Very Good” in Art in our 2002 inspection, was in part a result of her efforts. This lady fills the duel role of a TA for one day a week and a Classroom Assistant for four days a week. She covers as an HLTA in Classes 5 and 6. These are Year 3 and Year 4. We then have two other Classroom Assistants who work one day a week as Cover Supervisors. These ladies work with Year 1 and 2 and the Nursery and Reception Classes respectively. Both these ladies and another Classroom Assistant are currently attending Merthyr College where they are undertaking an NVQ course at Level Three.

I have been extremely impressed at the manner in which the Classroom Assistants have adapted to their new roles. I have also been pleased at the support and assistance they have received from the teaching staff. Their planning has been effective and they all work closely with the teaching staff to plan.

Aspects of Good Practice

I most certainly see that the work/life balance of the teaching staff has improved and they now really do have the time to more adequately prepare, plan and assess. I currently have concerns that at the moment the workload of Headteachers has increased dramatically with the implementation of remodelling, initiatives such as free breakfast clubs and the movement for a new staff structure to be in place by next April.

Contact Details

Phone number: 01685 722971
Fax number: 01685 388724
Web site address: office@pantysgallog.biblio.net