Supporting pupils

Many pupils bring learning challenges into the classroom. These can range from understanding at a slower level than the majority of pupils, through bilingualism to severe learning difficulties such as some forms of dyslexia. It is also the case that some pupils, because of their personality, their home circumstances and attitudes to school create barriers to learning that make teaching them very difficult. Teaching assistants play a leading role in helping the teacher with the important and difficult task of supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN). Even if there are only a small number of pupils who fall into these categories, it is an important issue because every pupil needs to learn to the limit of their potential. The role of the teaching assistant with such pupils usually involves supporting them individually or in small groups. When this happens, it is important that the teaching assistant has some knowledge of the kinds of problems faced by particular pupils. These can include areas of moderate and severe learning difficulties to complex issues of social, personality and behaviour disorders. If pupils have severe problems, outside agencies will be involved. Teaching assistants may need to liaise with the agency, attend meetings, understand their recommendations and use them with the pupils in the classroom. It is a very challenging issue and the sessions in this area are designed to help teaching assistants develop the necessary skills to be as effective as possible. If this is an area that training assistants are particularly interested in, they may find further training valuable.