Livingstone Lower school

Livingstone Lower School in Bedford delivers primary and pre-school education to 155 children aged 3-9 years.

A staff of 22 at the school include headteacher, teachers, teaching assistants, administrative, site agent and kitchen staff.

Headteacher Linda Crombie explained that teachers were supported in the classrooms by a loyal, experienced team of teaching assistants.  To ensure the team was up to date with knowledge and skills they were offered training at Bedford College so that they could increase their expertise especially in the area of information technology.

She said:  “Staff feel that the school has invested in them and are proud of their achievements and are now well qualified in the jobs they are doing.  We have a strong team of teaching assistants to the benefit of our teaching staff and to the school.  Whatever we do in this school has to have a benefit to the children and the training has achieved that.”

Training undertaken by staff

Teaching assistants:

• ICT Level 2
• Child Care NVQ Level 3

What were your training objectives?

• To enhance the skills of teaching assistants in delivering the curriculum to the children.
• To boost self-esteem and confidence of teaching assistants.

Were they achieved?

“Absolutely and the training has increased staff self-esteem and confidence in supporting children’s learning.”

“The training was quite a commitment for the school as staff were away from the classrooms one morning a week when staff from Bedford College came into school to deliver the training.”

“Staff now have dedicated time away from the classrooms one morning a month so that can discuss issues and share experiences.”

What has been the impact on your performance?

“Enhanced capability of staff who are able to deliver with confidence.  It gives teaching staff more support and the bottom line is that it is best for the children and their learning experience.  Teaching staff can rely on assistants in the computer suite as a result of the extra knowledge and skills they have gained from the training.”

Any other comments?

“The tutors at Bedford College are in regular contact with me and have an excellent manner.  With regular feedback it means that we can offer additional support to staff if they need it.”

“The training that staff have undertaken with Bedford College has been of real benefit to the school.”

Sandra Blanks, Teaching Assistant, added:

“Four teaching assistants took up the training with Bedford College and were supported by two tutors.  We chose a module as a group and supported and helped each other.”

“I was very nervous at first but it was a great experience and staff at Bedford College were very encouraging.  I have really enjoyed the training.”

“It means that when I’m in the computer suite I have much more confidence and will explore ways of solving problems.  Things now run much more smoothly as a result of the training.”

“We have always worked well as a team of teaching assistants and studying together as strengthened that bond.”