Fresh drive to recruit teaching assistants
A new initiative to recruit teaching assistants in schools has launched with the aim of filling urgent vacancies in primary and secondary settings.
It is being rolled out after an initial trial resulted in two roles being filled at local schools.
Teach Portsmouth, a Portsmouth City Council (PCC) service, launched the trial which saw over 50 people attend five sessions, resulting in more applications for teaching assistant vacancies.
The scheme will now be rolled out to other schools who are exhibiting at the Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair at Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday, May 22 (10am-2pm).
Councillor Suzy Horton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at PCC, said: ‘There is an urgent need to encourage kind and compassionate people to support pupils in the classroom.
‘Teach Portsmouth has focused their efforts to recruit teaching assistants by organising information events.
‘Most people haven't attended a school since being a student - so this new taster scheme is the perfect opportunity to find out about careers in a school or college. Each taster session is designed to build confidence before people apply for a job.’
Courteney Parker, who attended a taster session and now works as a teaching assistant at Trafalgar School, said: ‘The Teach Portsmouth event was extremely helpful as I was told about what opportunities were available. I knew I wanted to work in a secondary school but didn't know where to start.’
Alison Perry, who became a volunteer at Penbridge School after attending a taster session, said: ‘As a parent, I have learned a lot about how children grow and develop, and the impact effective support and communication can have on their education.
‘As my children have grown, it has inspired me to help other children in a support role. I had already begun to consider the possibility of becoming a teaching assistant, and when I saw that the Thinking Schools Academy Trust was offering a taster session, I jumped at the chance.
‘I have three children who go to schools run by the academy - so I have a huge appreciation for their work.’
People wanting to attend the fair must register online. Visit www.teachportsmouth. co.uk/events