Thank you to all staff who either took part in, or supported, the first cohort of the TA PD Programme this half term.  The two-week TA Programme was devised to support and develop both new-to-role TAs as well as those with existing experience. 

Staff from across the Trust facilitated the sessions focusing on different aspects of the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective practitioner.  Hosted at schools, the centre office and The Link, sessions focused on the breadth of the TA role including, for example, Trauma Informed Practice, Supporting Pupils with SEMH, Supporting pupils in Maths and Phonics and Early reading.  As it is our intention for the TA Programme to be offered each term it has been vital to gather constructive feedback, both the good and ‘could do even better’:

All of the training will benefit me when I return to my work setting, the TA framework of
expectations and supporting children with SEMH especially.

Visiting host schools, The Link and observing practical teaching has been very useful.

The easy communication between facilitators and participants, and the encouragement they gave shows the value they place in their staff. All subjects were interactive and informative.

I feel it has been very beneficial, with regards to my knowledge I feel has deepened a lot more on what I knew was already expected of me, I feel I can do a better job of this. And has helped my confidence that I am now equipped with more opportunities for research and knowledge of how/why things are done to be better in my job.

Participants fed back that it was an intense period of learning and whilst they all thought it was pitched appropriately most felt that it needed breaking up a little, perhaps giving an opportunity to return to the base school to observe some of the theory discussed during the sessions.  We have, therefore, altered the January programme slightly providing a day each week for participants to return to school to do just this!

Thank you again to all Trust schools, settings and staff who have supported in such a successful programme. 

To ‘Cohort 1’, thank you for your committed participation and incredibly insightful feedback, good luck with your on-going career.

Wishing everyone a wondering Christmas break.

Written by Tamsin Little, Director of Primary Education