'TEACHERS AND TAS MUST DO JOINT PLANNING' - OFSTED

Teaching assistants make a big difference to pupils learning in schools if they are well deployed and supported by managers and teachers, says Ofsted.

But schools need to make sure teachers and TAs plan together, and to be clear about each member of staff's responsibilities, says a new Ofsted report on workforce reform in schools.

The survey found that in the best schools, support staff had the skills and sensitivity to provide high quality advice, guidance and support to children. They were able to engage pupils who were at risk of being excluded, or of underachieving. They developed close links with the local community and could also re-engage parents so they were more supportive of their children's learning.

Support staff who had qualifications and training that was directly relevant to their particular work had the most impact on learning.

The Ofsted team called on the government to provide guidance on support staff pay and conditions, because they found support staff and their managers were confused and uncertain about how much support staff in their changing roles should be paid.

The OFSTED workforce reform evaluation can be found here: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/Ofsted-home/Publications-and-research/Browse-all-by/Documents-by-type/Thematic-reports/Workforce-reform-in-schools-has-it-made-a-difference