Edu-blog

Since the Coalition came to power the rumours about changes in the educational world have been rife. The quangos have gone, where is the next “hit”? We hear constant tales of “the education budget is ring fenced” but knowing the sleight of hand tricks of politicians of all colours one wonders what will actually happen. The feeling on the ground is that the overall budget will remain intact but the “variables” within that will change. “New money” will be created but you will be left realisticall , taking inflation and increased on costs into cons,  you will be 3 – 4 % worse off. One area of great concern is that of Special Needs. It is virtually impossible to get a child statemented. Educational psychologists are a dying breed. The wherewithal to identify these children in need at an early stage has disappeared overnight. What are we left with? For regular one to one support for the hard pressed SENCOs are teaching assistants of varying colours. (TAs, LSAs. HLTAs etc..) With budgets being hard pressed many will take the softer option to protect full time staffing levels by terminating TA contracts. This, in turn, adds considerable load on the hard pressed class teachers who will find it increasingly difficult to cope with ADH pupils never mind the less academically able pupils.

This actually begs another question re the use and management of Teaching Assistants generally. They are a great boon, but are they always used to greatest effect? Does anyone consider their developmental needs? Are they considered in any way for CPD? Maybe this is the time to take stack of your total staffing complement and audit their skills and resourcefulness. It could pay handsomely in the near future of dwindling budgets. Watch out for training opportunities from a source outside the normal LA initiated ones. Many local authorities in their search for savings have already indicated that they will NOT be providing this support in the future. If you have any training concerns please feel free to contact Edu Fax on 01473 652 822.