Rhondda Cynon Taf - Remodelling
Using Resources Effectively
Using Resources Effectively
INTERACTING BETWEEN CLASS TEACHERS AND LEARNING DELIVERERS TO PREPARE FOR PPA TIME
School Profile
School Name: Heolgerrig Primary
Headteacher: Jill Evans
Learning Assistant: Curriculum Support
Phase: 1 / 2
Number of Pupils on roll:
Role and Responsibilities
Without exception, all teachers at our school are finding the use of PPA time extremely helpful. All agreed that the time was used for preparation, planning, marking, using the internet to find extra resources and finding new sites suitable for both staff and children to use. Many teachers found that this time was being utilised to find more differentiated activities for the children. A small number of staff said that they planned to use this time for providing additional, individualised support for some pupils and some used the time for Baseline Assessments and Special Needs.
Some staff felt that the children were not always benefiting from the class teacher being out of the classroom because standards and expectations of the provider of PPA were not the same as the teachers – they stated that they would prefer to have a qualified teacher to cover for their PPA time.
Feedback is given during informal chats and staff meetings. Most teachers enjoyed working in school and would prefer that option but some others felt that Teachers, as professionals should always be given the choice of where they would like to have their PPA time. Staff, overwhelmingly stated that their work/life balance was easing – they valued more spare time with their families and now felt that they had some sort of social life.
Interaction Between Class Teachers and Learning Deliverers During PPA Time
All teachers are able to discuss with the learning provider prior to lessons. The provider is aware of the planning and the resources available for the planned lessons. A variety of lessons are taken by the provider in our school from Maths, PSE, Language, and Geography to RE. Staff were concerned that if they missed their PPA time because the provider could be absent, through illness, or if they or the provider themselves attended courses – one possible solution would be for the staff to be forward thinking and swap with other staff members if a known course was coming up – but the absence of the provider still caused concern amongst staff.
No other strategies like the use of volunteers or instructors are currently being used by the staff but these are areas that the staff would welcome discussions on.
Support staff are certainly included in our meetings. Their performance is reviewed through the Performance Management Model with the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher. Most staff felt that there was a desperate need for the support staff to receive training as soon as possible.
Contact Details
Phone number: 01685 722571
Fax number: 01685 385011
Email address: head@heolgerrig.merthyr.sch.uk