Evidence into Action Deployment of teaching assistants
Jul 14, 2025
Gary Aubin, an EEF SEND Associate and co-author of the guidance on teaching assistants, joins the chat alongside Sam Smithies, an Assistant SENCO, and Claire Akroyd, Head of School at West Vale Academy. They dive into the strategic deployment of teaching assistants and their crucial role in supporting students with SEND. The discussion highlights empowering collaboration between TAs and teachers, sensory training innovations, and tailored approaches to foster inclusivity and student independence in classrooms.
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TAs' Evolving Critical Role
- Teaching assistants (TAs) are vital for inclusion and access in schools, especially for children with SEND.
- Their role has expanded greatly with increasing and more complex SEND needs in mainstream schools.
Leadership Drives TA Deployment
- Effective TA deployment is primarily a leadership responsibility requiring careful workforce support.
- TAs should work collaboratively alongside teachers, not replace them, especially for pupils with high-level SEND needs.
Scaffold to Foster Independence
- Use scaffolding to gradually build pupil independence by reducing adult support when possible.
- Scaffold support should be targeted and flexible, not equated only to separate worksheets.