Episodes, Sara Alston
Working Effectively with TAs with Sara Alston
SENDcast Episode
Working Effectively with TAs
with Sara Alston
Teaching Assistants (TAs) are the unsung heroes in schools – and an incredible resource. Yet their impact is often limited when teachers aren’t equipped to work with them effectively. We’re missing out on a lot of potential by not optimising how TAs support learning.
In this episode, Sara Alston, a renowned SEND and safeguarding consultant, joins Dale to discuss ‘working effectively with TAs’.
“I would much prefer to talk about ‘learning support assistants’ because their role is to support learning, not to assist the teacher.”
— Sara Alston
What you can expect from this discussion:
- How to improve communication and shared planning with TAs.
- Clarifying the TA role and moving away from the 1:1 “Velcro TA”.
- The importance of regular appraisals and a clear line management structure.
- Guidance for educating parents about the TA’s role.
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Watch on YouTube
About the guest
Sara Alston
Sara Alston has over 39 years teaching experience as a classroom teacher, school leader, SENCO and DSL and is now an independent SEND and Safeguarding Consultant and Trainer. She provides support and training to schools for special needs and safeguarding.
She is the co-author of The Inclusive Classroom: A New Approach to Differentiation (Bloomsbury, 2021) and author of Working Effectively with Your TA (Bloomsbury, 2023). She writes regular articles for SecEd and Headteacher Update.
New Book
Working Effectively With Your Teaching Assistant
From Sara Alston, co-author of The Inclusive Classroom, comes a new book supporting primary teachers to work more effectively with their teaching assistants to promote children’s learning.
Specifically focused for early career teachers, this book provides valuable support for managing this vital but potentially challenging relationship — including working with the expert or inexperienced TA.
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