§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his definition is of a High Level Teaching Assistant; and what the(a) minimum qualification levels, (b) training requirements and (c) salary scales are. [91584]
§ Mr. MilibandThe term "higher-level teaching assistant" has been used in my Department's recent consultation document "Developing the role of support staff" to describe individuals without Qualified Teacher Status who could assist classroom teachers with higher-level tasks directly associated with teaching and learning. Details of their training and qualifications will be developed following the end of the consultation period on 22 January 2003, but the consultation document proposes that they should be trained to a level between that of the existing NVQ level 3 qualification for teaching assistants and the level of Qualified Teacher Status. Decisions about pay for all school support staff are made at a local level by schools and LEAs but the consultation document also indicates that my officials will work with local government employers and support staff unions to ensure that greater responsibilities are reflected in pay.