“It’s not a sausage factory!” Primary teaching assistants’ experiences on a short intensive block of study on mathematics

Abstract

This paper reports on an initial study, which aimed to evaluate the learning experiences of teaching assistants studying a four week block on mathematics as part of an Open University module, Subject knowledge and professional practice in primary schools. This paper focuses on the design of the evaluation, and summarises some of the key findings to date and how they will inform the main study to follow. Findings from the initial study suggest that the impact of such a course of study on pupils’ learning and behaviour may be more extensive than TAs recognise.