• The Chartered College of Teaching is launching a new Associate Membership for Teaching Assistants (TAs)
• Membership will offer professional development and online short-courses, and opportunities to shape the profession
• With school budgets declining, Teaching Assistant roles are becoming increasingly insecure at a time when they are desperately needed to support pupil recovery
• Associate Membership will offer recognition of the important role of TAs, while providing a community of professional support.
The Chartered College of Teaching is launching a new Associate membership for Teaching Assistants aiming to become the professional home for all those who support teachers and learning in the classroom, at every level. Membership will support Teaching Assistants to develop and strengthen their skills through free online courses and access to extensive professional development, as well as the latest research, tailored news and opportunities to shape the profession through consultations, surveys and events.
Teaching Assistants play a critical role in supporting teachers and learning in the classroom. Many support pupils who have diverse and often challenging special needs. With limited time for their own professional development and additional responsibility, these colleagues welcome extra support, recognition and praise.
Teaching Assistants told us
“HLTA/TAs are a professional, dedicated workforce. We are frequently taken for granted and our contribution to children’s development is overlooked.”
They said they would like:
“recognition that I am an education professional and in order to better support my teachers, I would like access to the same news and research they can access”
“to help teachers understand our role and to show clear career pathways to TAs”
“ the Chartered College to provide a voice for support staff as I feel that this is lacking. I am particularly concerned about the lack of progression routes for teaching assistants.”
Dame Alison Peacock, CEO of the Chartered College, said
“Teaching Assistants are a vital part of the school workforce, providing essential support for children and young people’s learning. In these times of constrained school budgets, their needs for professional development are often the last to be met. And yet they are increasingly on the front line of supporting pupils’ learning and emotional needs as we move from a pandemic to an economic crisis where children and families are struggling.
“As the professional body for teaching, the Chartered College is in a unique position to give public recognition of the significant contribution and impact that Teaching Assistants make in supporting the education of children and young people, to build a learning community to empower Teaching Assistants and to support partnership between Teaching Assistants and teachers, in order to improve the quality of education in classrooms.”
For more information please visit chartered.college/join/associate or contact Jonny at partnerships@chartered.college to discuss the new membership.
Read the full press release here:
Associate-Membership-press-release-