Primary school achieves Teaching Assistants Award

St Peter’s C of E Primary School in Farnworth has been honoured with a Best Practice with Teaching Assistants Award.

The school, which was a runner up at last year’s Educate Awards, currently employs 25 teaching assistants (TA) who provide over 420 pupils and 18 teachers with classroom support.

The Best Practice with Teaching Assistants Award helps schools evaluate and recognise the valuable and increasingly complex role of teaching assistants in pupil achievement.

The report recognised that TAs at St Peter’s are an integral part of driving teaching and learning throughout the school. It praised the school for its clear lines of communication, support and professional development for the TA team.

Pupils also hold TAs in high regard and help them to be confident, understand work more clearly and keep them safe.  Pupils explained that TAs are there when they need them both for learning and pastoral support.

One pupil commented: “Whenever we feel sad they are there so we can speak to them”.

Another said: “They tell us how to do it, but they don’t tell us the answer.  If they told you, you would not learn anything.”

Headteacher, Mrs Lynn Williams, at St Peter’s C of E Primary School, said:  “We are absolutely delighted to be honoured with the Best Practice with Teaching Assistants Award.

“Our teaching assistants are vital for the school and they help us continue to deliver an outstanding education to our pupils. I’d like to thank each and every one of our TAs for their hard work and dedication and congratulate them on this brilliant achievement.”