A study of auxiliary support in some primary classrooms: extra hands and extra eyes

Summary

This paper focuses on the increasing use and changing role of auxiliary classroom support, and formed part of a wider study of the organization and management of resources in a group of primary schools in Northern Ireland. The views of headteachers and teachers were sought on how classroom assistants could be used to facilitate the delivery of a curriculum with a strong practical emphasis, and a case study carried out in one school provided an example of good practice. The extent to which primary schools employed classroom assistants out of their own budgets, or had the benefit of this kind of help from a range of external sources at no extra cost, is described. The paper shows that the classroom assistants were mostly concentrated at the lower end of key stage 1, although the key stage 2 teachers in the study would equally have valued this regular support. The duties of classroom assistants are described, as well as the skills required for their responsibilities towards both pupils and teachers. The results showed that the primary teacher's role as manager and facilitator has increased, and that there is a need for auxiliary support for these functions. Where support has been available, though, it has remained largely the responsibility of the teacher to foster the classroom assistant's essential skills. Some local education authorities and higher education are beginning to take this training seriously, and formal courses are emerging. Recently, the Department of Education for Northern Ireland announced that from the start of the 1995/96 school year every primary school would have a classroom assistant for Primary 1. Considering the present research, which revealed a need for the right calibre of practical help in primary classrooms, it is to be hoped that this support will be extended and applied more flexibly to all primary classes.

Keywords:

• auxiliary support
• classroom assistants
• managing primary science
• support role
• teacher aides