Notes for Learning Support Assistants

• The more support Travellers receive from a learning support assistant, the quicker they settle and make progress. The classroom assistant needs to be aware of the kinds of difficulties they may encounter:
  e.g.
  a) in understanding everyday school routines;
  b) feeling different because of lack of uniform or PE kit.
  c) lack of familiarity with the school buildings, cloakrooms, toilets, washing facilities, etc.

• If possible the classroom assistants of long standing in the school should support Travellers as they may have previous knowledge of the families.

• Where there is a shortage of water on site, children may be fascinated by the toilet and washing facilities, so opportunities for constructive water play are valuable.

• Learning support assistants can help to implement any personalised learning and distance learning set up by the class teacher which should also incorporate early assessment, as children may not be in the school for long.

• Some individual support may be necessary but in small group situations the child may feel more at ease and find it easier to integrate.

• Fairground children may have difficulty in settling back into friendship groups when they come back into their base school for the winter.

• Learning support assistants can quickly implement a daily reading programme.

• Classroom assistants can fill in background knowledge of a given topic on which the class is already working.

• Consultation between class teacher and learning support assistant is very important for able Traveller children in the areas of:
  • class rules
  • resources, computer programmes;
  • class organisation;
  • areas to be supported by the learning support assistant
  • personalised learning;
  • timetable;
  • recording; (pupil tracking)
• Learning support assistants assistants can support Travellers by clarifying expectations and the tasks expected of the children and build on their strengths.
• A learning support assistant can guide children in presenting their work so that it can be appreciated by others.

For further advice, support and resources,

Contact:-

Devon Consortium Traveller Education Service
DCC South and West Division Office
Redworth House
Ashburton Road
Totnes TQ9 5JZ
( 01392 386811