Maximising the Impact of Teaching Assistants in Primary Schools: A Practical Guide for School Leaders

This new edition provides school leaders with a clear, evidence-informed plan to transform the deployment, practice, and preparation of teaching assistants (TAs). Drawing on real-world insights from schools that have successfully embedded the authors’ programme, it shows how to unlock TAs’ full potential and maximise their impact on inclusive teaching and learning. Structured around a proven framework and fully updated with the latest research and policy developments, the book outlines a tried and tested approach for improving how TAs are deployed, trained, and prepared. It provides school leaders with essential principles, practical tools, and actionable strategies that make a genuine difference to TA effectiveness. TAs are the mortar in the brickwork of our schools – holding everything together in ways that are often unseen and underappreciated. When used alongside The Teaching Assistant’s Guide to Effective Interaction, this comprehensive guide enables schools to recognise and maximise their TA workforce. Essential reading for all primary school leaders responsible for training, managing, and deploying TAs, it provides an unrivalled blueprint for helping TAs thrive in their roles.