Learning Support Assistants working with SEN

Support assistants are a rich resource when used effectively and can be invaluable to the pressed D&T teacher. They enjoy supporting Design and Technology lessons because the practical nature of the subject makes it easy to join in a classroom situation and provide individual support to those who need it, relatively inconspicuously. The ultimate responsibility for a pupil’s access to the D&T curriculum is that of the classroom teacher, whilst support staff facilitate the delivery of an appropriately differentiated curriculum under the direction of the D&T teacher.

D&T teachers and support staff working together
If working together on a regular basis, the D&T teacher should:

• Give the support staff clear instructions for specific tasks

• Provide guidance on how to carry out tasks

You should share the:

• School’s policy for D&T
• The correct way of using tools and equipment
• Health and safety guidelines
• Where to find materials, tools and equipment
• Where to find other resources for D&T
• Practical classroom routines

Specialist support may be useful for:

• simplifying the language used in the work

• presenting the project in smaller steps and guiding the pupil through

• keeping the student on task with support and feedback
• writing and recording for the student
• helping the pupil with specialist equipment
• helping with personal organisation or with physical or medical needs.

Tips for the teacher on working with support staff:

• Direct the support staff and give them clear instructions
• Explain the dos and donts of how you work right from the start
• Find out about their particular interests and areas of expertise (for example food, textiles, sketching, ICT)
• Be clear about the skills and knowledge they may need to develop and how to support them, for example basic food hygiene
• Ask them if they have any concerns

Tips for the support staff on working with the teacher:

• Find out what is expected of you
• Ask if you are not sure of something
• Don’t intrude or take over – remember you are working under the teacher’s direction
• Arrive early to allow time to speak to the teacher and set up resources
• Be discreet – information about individual children should be treated as confidential
• Give feedback that might be useful to the teacher
• Be prepared to learn new things

Support assistants are used most effectively where:

• Careful consideration has been given to where the help could be used best
• the teacher and the support staff are able to discuss and plan strategies for working together
• the pupil is clear about why they extra help is given
• the support staff are involved in feedback and assessment of the pupil’s work.

Lessons in D&T will probably involve a support assistant in:

• Supporting demonstrations

• Supporting designing and making by talking to children

• Supporting practical work

Useful puplications for teaching assistants:

Teaching Assistants - book

Sometimes, they are also asked to supervising group work, organise and maintain resources and create displays to support learning.