1. Langdon Cluster Project
Reference
LE 4.1 P3

2. Project developed by:
Langdon School (Lead School)
All Saints Catholic School
Willowfield School
Northumberland Park School
Haverstock School
Institute of Education (Nominating
Provider)

3. ‘Working creatively in ITT with
schools facing challenging
circumstances in the secondary
phase’

4. ???

5. Understandable Title
‘Overcoming Barriers
to Learning by
Working as/alongside
a Teaching Assistant’

6. Aim of project
 Aim was to introduce
Student/Trainee Teachers (S/TTs)
as additional adults in the
classroom.
 Identify barriers to learning
experienced by students.
 Use strategies to enable all students
(ECM) to work effectively.

7. Project outline
 Framework/guidance documents to
be produced for all.
 S/TTs to take part in project as part
of their SBS.
 S/TTs to present findings in a case
study at the end of their first
placement.

8. Framework
 A ‘dummies guide’ to implement
the project.
 Introduction and solutions to
problems.
 Tailor made observation sheets.
 S/TT (Trainee Teacher) Log Book.
(evidence).

9. Benefits to S/TTs.
 Be aware of issues related to
hindering progress of students.
 S/TTs to have a valuable evidence
base for curriculum assignment as a
School Based Study (Primary
evidence based).

10. Benefits to Schools
 Improvements in the quality of
school based training.
 Opportunities for enhanced
collaborative work.
 CPD opportunities for ALL staff not
just mentors.

11. Benefits to HEIs.
 Opportunities to work more closely
with specialist schools e.g. Training
Schools, Leading Edge Schools and
other Specialist Schools.
 Better trained and hence better
qualified S/TTs.

12. Progress & Development
 Conference in June 2008: Produced
a set of guidelines for all
stakeholders – a framework.
 Framework distributed in
September 2008
 Project ‘lift off’ during October
2008.

13. Working the project
 Limited communication by email.
 Under spend at one time.
 Illness/Maternity leave.
 Need a greater involvement of TAs.
 TIME FACTOR.
 Framework too ‘complicated’?

14. Benefits to TAs
 Very positive.
 Enjoyed the challenge of being a
mentor – sense of responsibility
 Boosted confidence.
 Role of TA acknowledged and
appreciated.

15. Unexpected Outcomes
 Helped to better understand the
QTS standards.
 More reflective on learning due to
SF presentation.
 Changed perception of TAs.
 Opportunity to why it’s useful to
have a TA.

16. School Experiences
 Previous good practice.
 Good links with IoE.
 All S/TTs involved irrespective of
HEI provider.
 Planning for the future.

17. PICTURES

18. Evaluation
 Some schools not prepared enough
 Lead school could visit to run
training day for TAs/Whole School
Staff.
 Outreach work- visit other schools
to give presentation of project.
 Link project to Training School.