In the case of a statemented child, the classroom assistant has to go to the child's review, and is asked to write a report and to keep daily records on the child. This, they say, is not too problematic for a single child, but there could be 16 statemented children, leaving only half an hour to be spent with each child. We've all had to learn sign language, and we've children with Downs Syndrome and a lot with English as a second language. They have also had to become familiar with computers. Fortunately the school has trained them and they have been able to follow NVQ courses.
Pay is a big issue.
Nevertheless, one of the assistants is leaving for a job in administration. But they are very happy at Kilmorie. Ken Johnson, Kilmorie's headteacher, explains that classroom assistants are trained both on the job and upstairs in the school's professional development centre. They learn about the numeracy and literacy strategies and are trained in dealing with special educational needs. You can see this in the classroom.