INCREASED needs in classrooms are not being met owing to a high number of teaching assistant vacancies, union leaders have warned.
The government said that it has put in place “additional resources to support schools in recruiting teaching assistants” to help fill some of the 56 current vacancies.
Marina Mauger, a representative of the NASUWT, said that the teaching assistant framework was “under review to make it a more attractive job” which included career progression and developing a “clear pathway”.
She continued: “The role is very poorly paid, which is why it’s so hard to recruit people. The government are aware and have said they will take steps to improve that.”
A teaching assistant is “a teacher’s biggest asset”, Ms Mauger added. “They’re vital to the effective running of a classroom, and if you haven’t got one when you need one, it increases your workload, and you have to somehow find additional time and resources.”
The shortage of teaching assistants has a “huge impact” on teachers, parents and students, she said.
Ms Mauger continued: “We have a number of children with needs who are entitled to one-to-one support, and some schools are unable to provide this due to a lack of teaching assistants.”
Tasks which have to be “picked up by teachers” in their absence, she said, were working individually with students who need extra help, supervising small groups, and supervising at lunchtimes and break times.”
“If we can’t recruit them, then it presents a huge problem,” she said.
NEU Jersey joint district and branch secretary Adrian Moss added that there was currently a “greater demand for teaching assistants in the classroom, with higher incidents of individuals with additional needs that have to be supported, and that puts additional pressure on the teachers to manage those students without a TA to aid them”.
The JEP recently reported that there had been a 600% increase in referrals for autism and ADHD assessments in three years, jumping from 51 for ADHD and 80 for autism in 2020 to 373 for ADHD and 244 for autism in 2022.
In the period between January and August this year, there were 384 referrals for ADHD assessments and 184 for autism.
Mr Moss continued: “The educational landscape has changed considerably over the last five to ten years, and this is not being acknowledged, this additional workload and management of inclusion.
“Since Covid, we’re also seeing students with issues of attendance and behavioural management, and a huge rise in students with additional mental-health issues.
“Where these individuals are included and supported, that allows for a wider range of diversity in the classroom.”
Mr Moss further said that teaching assistants could “improve an individual’s life chances through the support they provide”.
Children’s and Education Minister Inna Gardiner echoed that sentiment, saying: “Teaching assistants play a vital role in Jersey’s classrooms, ensuring that students – especially those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities – have the tailored support they need to reach their full potential.
“In doing so, teaching assistants provide invaluable support for teachers, and help reduce the overall workload that we know is a concern.”
She continued: “We have put in place the additional resources to support schools in recruiting teaching assistants. That has reduced the workload for schools – with success in reducing vacancies for the start of term.”
The next cohort of the Teaching Assistant Trainee Programme, which is full, will begin study in January.
Teaching assistants in Jersey
There are currently 672 teaching assistants in government schools, on both permanent and fixed-term contracts, with 56 teaching assistant vacancies for new roles, replacement staff and short-term appointments.
Over the past year, 101 more teaching assistants have begun working, with 28 of those just qualified through the Teaching Assistant Trainee Programme.
