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The research report written by Dr John Brown and Professor Alma Harris, from the Institute of Education, commissioned by the TDA, also shows that increases in funding for teaching assistants, more than additional expenditure on any other type of support staff, leads to improvements in student results.

The report suggests that having a teaching assistant in the classroom who can give additional support to pupils who need it, allows the teacher to focus, without distraction, on other students. The report concludes:

And new research, also released by the TDA today, shows that the majority of parents (78 per cent) recognise the positive impact support staff have on pupil learning.

The TDA research revealed that the majority of parents (75 per cent) have noticed an increase in the number of job roles in schools over recent years. However, they would like to know more about how these different members of staff in schools help their children (77 per cent).

The figures coincide with a ‘Job Swap Day’, where school staff the length and breadth of the country will swap jobs for short amounts of time to get an insight into their colleagues’ roles.

The day of Job Swaps, taking place on Wednesday 31st March, will provide school staff with an opportunity to learn more about roles across the school and how each staff member can work to improve school life.

Graham Holley, Chief Executive at the TDA, said:
“We’ve got more support staff than ever before working in schools and they are the unsung heroes of the school workforce. It’s a powerful message that increasing the number of teaching assistants in school has such a positive impact on pupils’ learning.

“But simply increasing spending on teaching assistants isn’t enough to make a difference; schools need to make sure that they are using their support staff effectively – something the TDA is working with schools to achieve. We’re also helping schools to develop frameworks to improve the quality of training for all school staff and to access funding for that training through local authorities.”

Professor Alma Harris, from the Institute of Education, said:
“The research shows that teaching assistants can make a difference to pupils’ achievement if they are used effectively to support teaching and learning. The key thing is not just to have more of them in schools but to ensure that they are well deployed in the classroom.”

Karen Chamberlain, Assistant Head Teacher at Lillian Baylis School in London who will be taking part in a Job Swap said:
“It’s great being part of a wider school team. The organisational structure makes me feel well supported and there is a real sense that everyone is striving towards the same goal; making a positive difference to children’s learning and development. I’m looking forward to the Job Swap, so I can learn a bit more about my colleagues’ roles and responsibilities and hopefully understand how we can collectively further improve outcomes for our pupils”.

Media enquiries

Contact: Hannah Berry
Tel: 020 7815 3928
Email: hannah.berry@munroforster.com

General TDA enquiries

Contact: Alex Walker-McClimens
Tel: 0207 023 8081 / Out of hours 07771 934 629
Email: Alexandra.Walker-McClimens@tda.gov.uk 
          mediarelations@tda.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

• TDA report: Increased expenditure on Associate Staff in schools and changes in student attainment, John Brown & Alma Harris, Institute of Education, London.
  The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is a leading national body for secondary education in England.
  There are over 5,400 schools, nationally and internationally, affiliated to the SSAT including primary, secondary and special schools and academies.
  The SSAT seeks to give more young people access to a good secondary education by building networks, sharing practice and supporting schools. The SSAT’s way of working is based on the principle 'by schools for schools'.
  Further information on the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust can be found at www.ssatrust.org.uk or contact Michael Turner, Head of Media and Public Affairs on 020 7802 2334 or at michael.turner@ssatrust.org.uk 
• In total, 1,109 parents of school aged children and 1063 UK adults took part in the survey.
• Case studies of those taking part in Job Swaps and spokespeople from the TDA are available for interview on request.
• The TDA was established under the Education Act 2005. Its principal aim is to secure an effective school workforce that improves children’s life chances.
• This news release applies to England only.