Durham County Council is proposing to pay its teaching assistants term-time only, as opposed to the current historic arrangement whereby they are paid a salary based on working 52 weeks a year. The move, which includes increasing term time hours to 37 hours a week, would bring an estimated 2,700 teaching assistants’ pay into line with that paid by the vast majority of other councils in the region. Here one teaching assistant who wrote to The Northern Echo to express her anger at the plans has her say. She wishes to remain anonymous.

“I am writing to express my disgust at the proposed changes to Teaching Assistant contracts. I would like to bring to your attention the extremely negative impact that these will have, not only on my colleagues but on the education of children within our local communities. The Council are proposing to increase our working hours and pay us term time only which effectively amounts to at least a ten per cent cut in our wages - for a job that is not highly paid to begin with.

Teaching Assistant pay was restructured two years ago meaning that some staff have already experienced significant wage reductions. The proposed changes now mean that these people will have a further reduction of up to £200 per month. Such pay cuts will result in some employees not being able to afford to continue in post and cover the cost of bills. The ability to maintain mortgage payments will also be affected. A single mother with two children on a lower pay scale will find it easier to claim benefits rather than stay in employment. For those colleagues who have recently lost a substantial amount of income due to Government changes in child tax credits, it is a double blow as there are yet more losses to be endured. The emotional and financial impact on local families is completely unacceptable. What other profession would accept a ten per cent decrease in wages, the removal of holiday pay and an increase in working hours? I doubt you would hear of politicians accepting it!

The valuable contribution which TAs make is being totally undermined. In the last few years, our role has changed beyond recognition and the perception that all we do is clean the paint pots could not be further from the truth. We are in fact a highly trained workforce, without which modern day schools could not function effectively. The Government strategy of integrating children with special needs into mainstream has also meant that teachers have had to cope with increasing numbers of children with high levels of need.

Not only do teaching assistants play a vital role within the classroom, they contribute considerably towards and enhance the extra-curricular life of pupils. It is not uncommon for teaching assistants to help run breakfast clubs, take numerous after school clubs, volunteer for residential visits – often leaving their own children with other family members in order to do this – routinely help out with school fairs and parents evenings, cover extra duties when needed and rarely take a full lunch break. All of this amounts to more than the 37 hours a week which is now being stipulated for less money. The increase in weekly hours is not the problem as many TAs already work in excess of this. However, it is not unreasonable for those currently employed to expect existing contracts to be maintained at the same levels of pay and to continue to include holiday pay.

If these changes go ahead, a highly trained work force will be decimated as those that are able to, or are forced to for financial reasons, will leave. The remaining demoralised and resentful workforce will no doubt work to rule, refusing to help before or after school. Ultimately, our children’s education will be adversely affected and the job of teachers made even more difficult.

It is difficult to understand on what basis can anyone claim these changes to be a sound political or economic decision? When will politicians begin to see education as a worthwhile investment in our nation rather than simply an expenditure and cheap political football? A cost cutting venture of this nature might temporarily put money back into council coffers, but in the long run it will be disastrous for our education system and a complete kick in the teeth for hard working people who contribute a great deal to the life of schools."