UK schools turning to teaching assistants as cost-effective substitutes for teachers

A new report from UNISON, the UK’s largest union for public service employees, has shed light on a troubling trend in schools across England and Wales. Teaching assistants are increasingly being asked to step in and take over teaching duties when teachers are absent, often without adequate support or compensation.

The report reveals that 45% of teaching assistants surveyed are covering more classes compared to the previous school year. Three-quarters of respondents stated that covering an entire class often means they end up teaching rather than just supervising students. This goes against national guidelines that advise against teaching by support staff.

UNISON’s head of education, Mike Short, called the situation “unacceptable and exploitative,” emphasizing that teaching assistants are being diverted from their primary roles and students in need of additional support are missing out. Despite the increased responsibilities, 75% of teaching assistants reported receiving no extra pay for stepping into teaching roles.

The impact on teaching quality is significant, with nearly half of teaching assistants in primary schools stating that they rarely or never receive support when covering classes. Only half of those covering classes receive lesson plans, and 81% believe this deployment negatively affects special educational needs provision.

UNISON is calling for urgent action to address this situation, highlighting the importance of recognizing the skills of teaching assistants, ensuring adequate compensation, and addressing the wider funding crisis affecting schools. The reliance on teaching assistants to fill gaps left by teacher shortages not only impacts education quality but also risks exacerbating recruitment and retention challenges in schools. As schools grapple with constrained budgets, sustainable solutions are needed to safeguard the quality of education for all pupils.