Teaching assistants, librarians, and catering workers in England’s schools are facing a crisis when it comes to behavior from students, parents, and carers. According to a recent survey by Unison, a union representing school support staff, one in three members reported being verbally abused on a daily basis. Many also mentioned witnessing violence such as kicking, pushing, and objects being thrown.
Mike Short, Unison’s head of education, highlighted that the abuse mainly comes from pupils, but sometimes also from parents and carers. Teaching assistants, in particular, are often tasked with working with the most challenging children in classrooms. Short emphasized that no one should have to endure abuse or violence at work, and it has become a daily reality for many support staff members.
Support staff, including teaching assistants, make up a significant portion of the school workforce. Despite their crucial roles, the median pay for support staff is relatively low, ranging from £1,200 to £1,400 a month, with many only being paid during term time. Additionally, 78% of support staff surveyed expressed struggles with paying their bills due to the cost of living.
The workload for support staff has also increased since the pandemic, with two-thirds reporting that they are now working more unpaid hours each week. Teaching assistants, in particular, have taken on additional responsibilities, such as supporting students’ pastoral and wellbeing needs, delivering interventions for those who have fallen behind, and assisting parents and carers. They are also filling in for specialized staff positions that have been cut due to financial constraints.
Short is hopeful that the government’s promise to reintroduce a school support staff negotiating body will lead to improvements in pay, training, and career development opportunities for support staff. However, the latest funding allocations for schools may result in further cuts after factoring in inflation and pay rises.
Julia Harnden, a funding specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, expressed concerns about schools’ ability to afford necessary pay increases for both teachers and support staff. The ongoing staffing crisis, coupled with historic pay erosion, poses a significant challenge for schools across England.
In conclusion, the well-being and fair treatment of support staff in schools are essential for maintaining a positive learning environment. Addressing issues related to low pay, increased workloads, and lack of resources is crucial to ensuring that support staff can effectively support students and contribute to their overall success.
