This programme follows four teaching assistants (TAs) at The Earls High School in Halesowen, John Parry, a former engineer in his fifties, Cat Shuttleworth, a fine arts graduate, Alex Ohm, just out of college and Chris Davies, a mother and former judge's clerk. We see them at work in the classroom, working one-to-one with pupils from Years 7 - 9. Some of the pupils have behavioural or learning difficulties like Asperger's Syndrome or Dyspraxia and one is a wheelchair user. We observe the TAs scribing, reinterpreting lessons and liaising with parents. They later discuss the challenges and rewards of working with pupils one-to-one. Headteacher Tom Johnston and Head of Learning Support Ros Bartlett then give their views on the effectiveness of one-to-one working and the demands of working as a teaching assistant in a large secondary school.

Video Series: Secondary TAs
Release Date 2005