Home > News > May 2005 > 27-May-2005

New group sets out plans to develop school support staff

Plans to help schools in England ensure that all their support staff - including teaching assistants, administrative staff, technicians and caretakers - can develop their full potential have been set out by a new group convened by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA).

The School Workforce Development Board (SWDB) comprises organisations with responsibilities for employment, funding, occupational standards and qualifications.

It aims to ensure that support staff have access to the training and development they need, so that they can contribute fully to raising standards in schools and the well-being of pupils.

From 1 September, the TTA will become the Training and Development Agency (TDA) for Schools with additional responsibilities for the whole school workforce.

As a first step, the Board has produced "Building the School Team", a one year plan setting out the forthcoming work of the organisations involved. The plan is published on the TTA's website, and will be developed into a three-year strategy.

The plan outlines three priorities for action:

• Removing barriers which prevent take-up of training and development by support staff
• Improving the supply of training and development
• Strengthening the quality of training and development

Speaking on behalf of the Board, TTA chief executive Ralph Tabberer said: "There is growing recognition that every member of staff in a school, whatever their role, contributes to the achievement and well-being of children. Successful schools know that the whole school team is more than the sum of its parts and value the contribution of everyone working in concert.

"However, many staff have not had the opportunity to develop their skills and to have their experience recognised. They deserve access to high quality training and development, and to a good career pathway. They want good advice on which of the wide range of qualifications available are appropriate to their work, and how those qualifications fit into a clear career progression route.

"The challenge ahead is considerable - but so are the potential rewards. The working partnership we have established across key partners nationally is a powerful force for change and all the organisations involved are determined to work together to improve what is on offer to the whole school workforce."

Schools Minister, Jacqui Smith said: "More people than ever are working in our schools, including about 500,000 in a wide variety of roles supporting the work of teachers. Their contribution will grow as schools take their place at the heart of their communities, providing childcare, adult learning and similar health and community services. So it is vital that they have the opportunities they need to develop their skills, knowledge and experience.

"The Government's aims to safeguard the well-being of children and ensure each one can fulfil their potential can be achieved only through organisations working in partnership. I welcome the School Workforce Development Board's one-year plan as the first step to achieving those aims."

Members of the Board represent the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), the Employers' Organisation for Local Government (EO), the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the National College for School Leadership (NCSL), the National Remodelling Team (NRT), the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), the Teacher Training Agency (TTA), and the Workforce Agreement Monitoring Group (WAMG).

External link

‘Building the School Team’, the School Workforce Development Board's one year plan, is published on the Teacher Training Agency’s website

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