Reception Teacher

[KASlowerschool]

I am teaching in Reception in an independent school and am new to the EYFS Co-ordinator role. I have twenty children in the class and a full time TA. Do I need to assign half the children to each of us to be their named key worker or can I as the class teacher in a class this size be the key worker for all the children? It would feel odd not to be.

Does anyone know the answer?

Edited November 16, 2015 by KASlowerschool

[Jester]

I would say you need to spilt them, it will make your life so much easier and then you can spilt the class during key person time to discuss home school books, or specific focuses work.

[Guest]

In our school the class teacher takes the 'key worker' role in terms of parents' evenings and reports, talking with other professionals etc, but we all take responsibility for observations, assessments etc and for welcoming and chatting with parents on a day to day basis, so lots of discussion and teamwork.

 

From the statutory framework:

3.38.Reception classes in maintained schools are subject to infant class size legislation. The School Admissions (Infant Class Size) Regulations 2012 limit the size of infant classes to 30 pupils per school teacher while an ordinary teaching session is conducted. ‘School teachers’ do not include teaching assistants, higher level teaching assistants or other support staff. Consequently, in an ordinary teaching session, a school must employ sufficient school teachers to enable it to teach its infant classes in groups of no more than 30 per school.

 

So Ta's are a much needed blessing.

[jocrow]

I have 30 in my class, and I'm the key worker for them all. Obviously my TA and I share doing observations for Tapestry. I'm responsible for the assessmentsame, parent meetings and reports.

[Susan]

I think you as the qualified person will be the key worker in terms of responsibilities, as mentioned above, etc but you can delegate to your TA. I have however worked with some TAs who would not have been able to do this for me, in which case your day to day tasks are much harder. Developing a working relationship with your TA who can support you is much more satisfactory but only you will know to what degree your TA is able to do that.

[KASlowerschool]

Thank you for the very helpful replies. It sounds that what I am currently doing is fine. I work well with my TA and we share observations and assessments on Tapestry but I take the 'key worker' role in terms of parents' evenings and reports, talking with other professionals etc as posted above.