Should Teaching Assistants be asked to write end of year reports for pupils?

Question

I work as a TA at a primary school and at the end of the summer term I was asked to write the reports for the class pupils which I work with.
The class teacher had been off sick for four months and in that period of time the class had many different supply teachers. The final six weeks of term had been covered by one regular supply teacher but he refused to write the reports because he said he wasn't paid for that.
I did these reports at home, during my lunch hour and during lesson time, should I have been asked to do this by the headteacher?

Answer 1

You're the only one that could. The head relied on you and you came through - I'd say that was a pretty fine thing to have achieved! I understand that you gave up your free time to do it, and if you haven't been acknowledged then that's bad form. You are in a strong position to negotiate something that you want. Go for it, whatever it is! Good luck and well done.

Answer 2

You aren't paid to write them either, it isn't your place to write them unless the head teacher has specifically asked and then you still have the right to refuse to. There should have been preliminary reports from each term for the head teacher to write them and may be you could have put a comment not write the whole thing. Check with your union representative if you are unsure, but I do know that teaching assistants aren't paid to take any work home.

Answer 3

No you should not !!!!!!!! that is terrible, either the supply teacher or the head teacher should have done them. I feel sorry for you and the pupils the school seems to be very badly run. You sound like a very responsible person perhaps you could do better than your present school. What would have happened if you refused to do the reports ?????????????

Answer 4

TA's should not have this responsibility thrust upon them as they are not paid a teachers salary and should not be expected to do this. A TA should contribute to putting together school reports but not actually writing the whole thing

Answer 5

Writing end of the year reports is the "teacher's" job. If problems were to result of any kind, it's possible a lawsuit could be filed. But, if you're like me; I was a TA and I assisted in every way possible, red tape be damned!

Answer 6

if you are a higher level TA than maybe. Why did the school not pay the supply teacher extra to do these reports?

Answer 7

Sounds like you were the most qualified (as in knowing about the student) to write them. Complaining after the fact doesn't do much good so next time ask before you do the reports.

Answer 8

No because no offence to you, your not trained for it, the supply teacher should do it if he refuses he is breaking his agreement to teach and advise, Assessments should be done all term, so even if he can't do it the Head can

Answer 9

Not unless its in your contract to do it.

I am a TA too but in a secondary school and although we do IEPs for the statemented and action and action plus students - it's not our job to do the their end of year reports.

If you have done them you should have been paid for it, you have just been used as free labour if they havent paid you.

Answer 10

It was nice you did it on your own time:) Sounds like you were the most stable & consistent presence in the classroom and probably knew more about the pupils than anyone else.