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Children’s Services Norfolk Education Advisory Services Professional Development Centre Woodside Road Norwich |
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Norfolk NR7 9QL |
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Tel: 01603 433276 |
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Fax: 01603 700236 |
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Please ask for: |
Martin Radmore |
Your ref: |
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Contact Number: |
Ext 184 |
My ref: |
MR/ms |
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Email: |
Date: |
5th May 2005 |
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Headteachers in Primary Phase excluding Middle
The Local Authority have had a number of enquiries regarding support for Teaching Assistants in terms of developing their skills to take sole responsibility for and teach physical education. This is in light of the need to create planning, preparation and assessment time. The Local Authority does not advocate the use of Teaching Assistants to deliver physical education at this time. This is due, in part, to complex issues regarding training, competence and risk management. However the Authority does recognise the pressure on Headteachers to solve the issue of creating planning preparation and assessment time within their school.
We have therefore put proposals forward to the National Workforce Remodelling Team to pilot a scheme to support Teaching Assistants to become appropriately competent to deliver physical education in schools. The programme consists of a competence matrix which, Teaching Assistants can be continuously assessed and self-assessed against. Each Teacher Assistant would build up an evidence portfolio with support, as to how they have met the competence standards. Training and support will be provided through a modular programme and a mentor will be trained within each school to support the Teacher Assistant working towards these competencies. The end result would be a Certificate of Competence to support physical education issued by Norfolk County Council upon successful completion.
It is envisaged that the process will not be a 'quick fix' solution to the issue of creating planning, preparation and assessment time but may create a more long-term, sustainable answer.
A briefing, outlining the proposals in much more depth is planned for the 20th June 2005, 14:00 – 15:30 at The Professional Development Centre, Woodside Road, Norwich. From this colleagues will be able to assess whether this programme could meet their needs and discuss how to book their Teacher Assistant on the course. It must be stressed that this programme is aimed at Teacher Assistants who are at Level 2 and above, and places will be limited. The National Workforce Remodelling Team has provided funding for this pilot programme for sixteen Teaching Assistants. If successful this programme will become embedded in the Authority’s work.
I hope that you will find this programme of interest and look forward to seeing you at the briefing on the 20th June 2005 at 14:00. To book a place to attend this briefing or for further details, please contact Martin Radmore or Michelle Steel on 01603 433276 ext 191.