ABSTRACT
Most leaders of subjects have usually gained promotion because they have a track record of effective teaching. They are good in the classroom and they love their subject. Teaching and learning is the core business of all schools. As middle leaders’ team vision will include a commitment to providing students with high quality learning experiences it is important that all team members understand what this means in practice. Teaching Assistants are a valuable resource and used effectively teaching assistants (TA) can have a real impact on students’ learning. Consequently students supported in class by TAs often made little or no progress and occasionally regressed. In secondary schools TAs are effectively used when there is a common approach across the school based on principles of effective practice. Teachers in a self-improving department will inform their agenda for change from what students can tell them about learning and teaching.
