21/07/09
Cardiff teaching assistants celebrated for going the extra mile
Forty Cardiff teaching assistants have been honoured at a special ‘graduation' ceremony for going the extra mile to ensure the city's school children get the best start in life.
The classroom aides, who had all undertaken and passed teaching assistant qualifications at training company Schools Assist, were presented with certificates by Cardiff Council's Chief Schools and Lifelong Learning Officer Chris Jones.
Many of the teaching assistants had been working at their schools for a number of years before the qualifications were introduced to them.
Lynda Ornsby, who has taught at St Fagans Primary School for 16 years, jumped at the chance to complete the level three teaching assistant vocational qualification.
She said: "I wanted to do these qualifications because even though I'd had years of experience working in the classroom, I was keen to do anything I could to develop my skills even more.
"Completing the course at Schools Assist has given me a lot more confidence in what I do and I thoroughly enjoyed my time on it. Education is evolving all the time and by doing any training that is offered to you, it means you can keep up to date with all the developments."
Schools Assist, part of Wales' largest work-based learning provider ACT Ltd, offers professional training to teaching assistants across south Wales. Courses comprise development workshops, professional assessments and technical training. There are currently 440 teaching assistants of Schools Assist courses throughout the region.
Teaching assistants are present in classrooms containing children up to the age of 16. In classes of children aged three to seven that are learning through the Foundation Phase, one teaching assistant is required for every eight pupils.
A teaching assistant's role varies greatly from helping children to read, providing one-to-one support for pupils with special educational needs and accompanying classes on school trips.
Caroline Cooksley, development director at Schools Assist, said: "I have been really impressed with the dedication and professionalism of all of these teaching assistants. Gaining this qualification has enabled them to build on their skills and experience and will help them to progress further in this very rewarding career.
"Teaching assistants have a huge impact on the lives of youngsters. As a parent, I know that my children adore their teaching assistants, and for that, I would like to express my personal gratitude to the remarkable job that these people do."
Chris Jones, Cardiff Council's Chief Schools and Lifelong Learning Officer, said: "The teaching assistants come from a diverse range of schools and backgrounds and have all persevered to complete this rigorous course, undertaking much of the course work in their own time.
"Teaching Assistants are now a very valuable part of the school workforce, playing a vital role in improving standards. They deserve recognition for achieving standards in professional development that enable them to play their part in providing quality engaging learning for our children."
