Pauline
Bailey
I think my life experience has helped
 Pauline
Bailey has worked in the same school as a dinner lady for 15 years. For the last
five years she has also been a classroom assistant.
The
57-year-old mother of two works at Burnley Brow school in Chadderton, Oldham,
where a high percentage of children have special educational needs - 60 of the
360 pupils. "I
started as a volunteer reading to the children and it has just gone from there,"
Ms Bailey said. "I have got more and more involved with the job and I have been
on courses." There
are five other classroom assistants, four NNEBs (diploma in childcare and education)
and five bilingual support workers. "I
am not really worried about the money. I think it would be good to have more recognition
for classroom assistants. But I just love the job for what it is." Ms
Bailey works six hours a week as a dinner lady and 26 hours as a classroom assistant.
"I have encouraged other people to become involved and to think about classroom
support. It used to just be about helping out and washing paint pots - but it
is now much more involved. "There
are other jobs in the classroom, including putting up displays and helping with
fundraising." In the mornings, she provides extra literacy support. In the afternoons,
she listens to children reading. "Ever
since I have worked in the classroom I realised teachers have such a lot of work
to do. Some can cope but many need assistance. "Obviously,
I am not qualified to plan lessons and I am just following what teachers have
planned for me, but I can also add my own ideas as I have been working closely
with the children. "I
think my life experience has helped. I worked as a girls' brigade leader for 30
years and that has stood me in good stead. I just love the kids and I think I
have found my niche in life. The children I work with are so eager to learn and
the school has been helpful and supportive and I always feel welcome in the classroom."
Michelle Lee,
the deputy headteacher at Burnley Brow, said: "Classroom assistants are paid a
pittance - about £11,000 a year - but they are worth their weight in gold and
teachers could not do their jobs without them."
Report by Helen Carter Original
story With
many thanks to the excellent CYC-NET
Continue with More
News and Research, including: 1.
THE CAUSES OF DYSLEXIA 2.
EXPERIENCES OF DYSLEXIA 3.
DIAGNOSIS 4.
TEACHING 5.
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