Rosie Miller and Helen Skelton illustrate the demanding and responsible roles now being taken on by TAs, exploring the importance of good management.
Rosie is a learning mentor at St Paul's Catholic Primary School in Portsmouth. In recent years, she has devised social classes for students, leading to a marked improvement in behaviour at the school. Pupils learn about empathy, taking turns, fairness and other essential skills.
Helen is a senior TA at Bracken Lane Primary School in Retford, where she has made a big difference in the field of literacy. Helen co-ordinates a reading scheme in which adult volunteers work one-to-one with pupils.
Helen selects books, finds funding and works with teachers to identify pupils who will benefit from the scheme. Her tenacity, support and encouragement ensure a constant supply of adult reading partners who enjoy their work.
