Working with colleagues

Successful schools do not have isolated teachers working in classrooms with closed doors, or teaching assistants who do not speak to each other or discuss what they are doing. Professionals work together as productive teams. Such working groups can range from a teacher and teaching assistant planning together to a whole group of teachers and teaching assistants working closely on developing curriculum and behaviour policies. Effective schools are places where everyone works together to raise standards and improve how pupils learn. This is not always easy and there are many people who find working together difficult. It is also often the case that there are certain personal characteristics that allow for more successful teamwork, better professional relationships and far less tension, stress and conflict with colleagues.

Change in schools is inevitable and often fast moving. These changes are not just arranged to disrupt working practices – they happen because they are necessary. Teaching assistants have to be able to move with the times and work with colleagues without the fear of change. In fact, a really effective teaching assistant will be able to embrace changes that are introduced for the benefit of pupils and their learning. These sessions should help teaching assistants to develop the necessary skills to manage change and work productively alongside colleagues. However, they are not intended as a comprehensive training programme – rather a starting point for further skill development.