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A Resource for Teaching Assistants and School Support Staff.
Working in a Cambridgeshire School? Then Unison Cambridgeshire is the union for you. Whatever your role, we will be able to offer support, guidance and representation.
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We know your issues: The top 3 reasons members contact us are to ask about:
1: Restructures and Reorganisations
Teaching Assistants and School Support Staff are often at the forefront of cuts. It always appears that support staff are the first to 'bear the brunt' of savings, the lowest paid and often the quietest, Unison Cambridgeshire will support you and make sure you get a fair chance. Give us a call on restructure/reorganisations on 01223 699258
2: Classroom Teaching This is an acceptable request, but only if you are employed as a L3 TA and, have received the necessary training to carry out the task you are being asked to do. ​
Unison have produced a short but informative guide on Teaching Assistant responsibilities. The document entitled, Cover Supervision: Guidance on when and how it should be used is a useful document to refer to if you are being asked to work outside of your grade.
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Teaching Assistants are covered by a set of National Occupational Standards. These standards became necessary to define the role of Teaching assistants, as this group of workers are being continually asked to carry out an increasingly amount of diverse and complex tasks. There are 69 standards, and these apply to you if you are providing direct support for teaching and learning, in any type of school, primary, secondary or special. ​​
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To ensure comprehensive support for schools, the Training and Development Agency (TDA) also worked closely with those sector bodies responsible for national occupational standards for support staff not solely involved in teaching and learning – such as technicians, catering staff, premises staff and administrative staff. See also www.tda.gov.uk/support-staff/developingprogressing/nos/other.aspx#
With all these Standards and guidance that is available, you would think that the Teaching Assistant's role couldn't be abused, but you would be wrong. Teaching on the cheap A Unison report from April 2024, shows that Teaching Assistant's continue to used for cover purposes, when they have no experience. 75% reported that their position, isn't back filled when they provide cover elsewhere.
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Unison's campaign to end 'Teaching on the Cheap', offers advice and guidance if your position is being exploited. If you need advice, get in touch with the Branch now.
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3: Violence and Aggression All forms of violence and aggression is unacceptable, but all too often, senior leaders do very little to support you in these circumstances. Find out what you can do to protect yourself, from harm and allegations by visiting the Your News and Issues page
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NEWS! The SSSNB, School Support Staff Negotiating Board, is set to commence in late 2025. This 'new' body will determine all of you terms and conditions. To find out more, click the information button at the SSSNB article on this page. ​
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Unison Cambridgeshire in Schools
Unless Unison has a rep in your school, the Branch needs members to let us know what is happening. Since the break up of the Local Authority maintained educational system, to the academy model, it is challenging to keep informed about each Academy, and importantly, what they are doing with support staff.
The Branch attends several academies Joint Negotiating and Consultation Group; JCNG meetings. This is a body of trade unions, including teachers unions and the 3 support staff unions of Unison, GMB and Unite. The trade unions raise issues at these meetings, which members have raised with us, or when we have noticed trends in specific areas.
The rising incidences of violence is one issue that Unison raises on a regular basis, as is the increasing pressure being placed on Teaching Assistants to cover a class when the teacher is absent. The Unison guidance Cover Supervision; Guidance on when and how it should be used are helpful pages when you are in this position. Please contact the Branch should your employer continue to abuse this situation.
If you want Unison to raise an issue, contact the Branch via phone or email, please see our Contact the Branch page.
Recent Activity in Schools
ASTREA In the Autumn of 2023, the Branch became aware that Astrea Academy had introduced a new set of terms and conditions for Teaching Assistants. These T's&C's had been discussed many months ago, at Astrea's JCNG meetings held in Sheffield. At the time, our Unison colleagues in Yorkshire had sought and received confirmation that these new terms would not be implemented without first consulting and getting agreement.
Despite these assurances, Astrea implemented the new terms in Cambridgeshire without giving any notice. The Branch was made aware by one of our members, and we immediately raised this with our colleagues in Yorkshire. So began what turned out to be a 10 month Unison dispute with Astrea. That dispute was finally ended at the beginning of September 2024. More on this can be seen on the Branch News Page and by visiting the Eastern Region's website. Contact the Branch for more information.
The Latest News
School Support Staff Survey: Unison has a survey for ALL School Support Staff active until the end of the Autumn term. The survey centres on the new School Support Staff Negotiating Body, the biggest change to how your pay, terms and conditions are determined. To find out more, click the button if you are on a laptop Or use the QR code.
