Headteachers place high value on teaching assistants
Senior learning mentor Diane Stanley with children from Brunswick Park School, Southgate, London
Headteachers have a keen eye for the brilliant talents that make a teaching assistant an award winner, according to an analysis of recent nominations.
Among the silver plato winners of the 2008 TDA Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year, more than half have been nominated by their headteachers.All are now through to the UK final on October 19, part of the 2008 Fellows' Weekend, and in the running to win a gold plato.
In 2008 seven out of 13 winning teaching assistants were nominated by heads; in 2007, six; in 2006, nine. Other winning nominations were from parents, pupils, teachers and other colleagues.
Heads can clearly identify the winning ways employed by these gems. In nominations, they variously describe teaching assistants as 'multi-talented', 'tireless', 'warm-hearted', 'unfailingly cheerful' and 'always going the extra mile'.
The 2008 winners from the 11 English regions, from Wales and Northern Ireland perform a wide range of tasks, from nurture group leaders to senior learning mentors to a PE technician.
Several winners work with the most vulnerable children who have special needs such as autism, or who require intensive pastoral care to avoid exclusion Most reflect a national trend for working towards qualifications, sometimes becoming higher level teaching assistants (HLTAs).
Diane Stanley, a senior learning mentor at Brunswick Park School in Southgate, London is said to have 'overcome her own doubts in her own abilities' and completed several courses. According to her headteacher Marian Hossell, 'It would bowl you over to see the positive effect of her work in all areas. Everyone loves her'.
Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards, said: 'Time and again we hear that teaching assistants are the 'listening ear', staff who always have time, warmth and wisdom for children and families. We have seen how delighted they are, even to be nominated. Truly, they are national treasures who deserve thanks and recognition.'
Graham Holley, chief executive of the TDA, said the rapid growth in support staff numbers and their new roles put them at the heart of school reform. 'We congratulate all our winners for their outstanding contribution to supporting pupils' learning, development and well-being,' he said.
