ABSTRACT
The national picture is so diffuse and complicated that it means that no one can take for granted that employing TAs is a good thing, effective, value for money and that there is consistent good practice throughout the school. As there must be very few schools, if any, who are not already employing TAs, the place to start is with what is already happening in your school. Managers should know:
(a) how many TAs there are, how long they work for, and where (b) what they were employed for in the first place (c) what they are called and why (d) what they are being used for currently (e) what hours and weeks they work (f) what they are paid and why (g) what kind of contracts they have
But managers should also find out:
(h) what they are being valued for (i) what qualifications, experience and skills they have (j) whether they are the best people for the job to be done (k) how things could be improved.
