I am a teacher of over 10 years. I think the classroom environment has never been so difficult. 11 years ago I had a full time TA and teacher workload seemed ‘less’. I think teachers, fantastic long term teachers, are leaving the profession due to lack of support.

Give schools money specifically for teaching assistants. We think each class should have a TA, where possible. We are trying to create scientists, mathematicians, shop workers etc yet without support we can’t inspire. We believe we are fighting fires to attend needs and behaviour over teaching. We think teaching assistants are the glue, they’re what teachers need to function, support, challenge, inspire and teach the interventions the teachers need to support the children in need.