206 Stl

Continual professional development is important because it shows that you are thinking of your own career and that you wish to develop and progress in your own career. It also allows you to reflect upon what you have done and how you would improve upon or do differently next time. Part of the development plan is to log all courses that you have attended that will be beneficial so any gaps in knowledge or training can be identified and resolved in the future as wells as helping you when applying for future jobs or courses.

Teamwork in school as in any work place is important as it means that they have share purpose or a common purpose. Within a school it is easy to become busy and preoccupied with things that need doing and sight of the wider picture can be lost. Regular team meeting and prioritise how they work together for the benefit of the pupils should help. By working together as a team it will create a happy relaxed atmosphere which will benefit the pupils learning as well as setting good examples to the children of how teamwork helps everyone. A good team should respect one another, be committed to its aims, has a sense of purpose an communicate regularly.

Within my team my role is to support groups of children with differing needs who are falling below the standard expected. I work along side the SENCO, Class TA and class teacher to provide these children with the extra support that is needed to try to raise their achievement level so that they can achieve their full potential. I work to the planning set by the class teacher and SENCO so that I am clear what the objective is and how I am to work. I also work across a year group as a classroom assistant working closely with the class teachers and other TA I am made aware of the planning and learning activities that are taking place this and next week so that I have a clear understanding of my role and the objectives for the lessons. (see appendix C) As part of the whole school team I am aware of how my role fits in to raise the achievement level of the school as well as offering a nurturing and stimulating environment which aids children’s learning. To ensure that the teams objective have been met I produce an observation sheet for the SENCO and the class Teacher so they can assess any progress made. For another group I complete their reading record sheet with my observations as well as the child’s reading diary.

It is always important to respect the skills and expertise of other practitioners this is to ensure a good working relationship with them by showing that you consider their opinions and expertise. It may well be that others have knowledge or experience that you do not and this will help you to further your career or deal with a situation that you feel unsure of. As your experience grows you may be asked by others for your opinion or advice you must remember your role and others within the team when doing this while remaining supportive.

Identify improvements in which the team work. * TA not involved in planning * Poor communication * Lack of teaching time

Suggestion for improvement

* TA to be involved in planning so more aware of planned learning activities * Short Teacher and TA meeting to discuss what is involved in learning activities to ensure understanding of role before activity takes place and not during. * Assembly’s reduced to once a week on a Friday to allow more teaching time as currently 20mins every day is taken out meaning many lessons are rushed and sometimes objectives are not achieved.

If a parent were to come to me to discuss my methods, practice or approach to a certain matter I would listen to what they are telling me, try to clarify their concern or comments and then I would thank them for bringing this to my attention. I would not try to justify or even excuse in some case get into who, what or why was said. I would then discuss with my teacher or line manager the comments raised discuss my approach and see if this was a reasonable. If the comment or concern was a serious one I would involve my line manager or class teacher to help resolve this issue with the parent. If the concern was small I would speak to the parent fully explaining myself and reasoning for my practice. I would offer an apology that they were concerned and felt they needed to raise the issue but try to reassure them that my practice is in line with the teaching of the school .

Curriculum