The teacher/TA relationship is key in the classroom. Not only does it act as a role model of working relationships for children, but it is fundamental to successful teaching and learning.
Staff need to share information effectively so they know not only what is being taught, but how and why.
In addition, they need clarity about how they’re expected to deliver their role so they can support and promote children’s learning.
This means that the ongoing sharing of planning and feedback is vital. But to be effective this needs to be grounded in a clear expectation of staff roles, which makes understanding how to support learning explicit.
A classroom contract provides a clear framework to support and structure discussions about identifying and planning the roles and responsibilities of each member of the staff team in the individual classroom.
While these may include certain common elements across a setting, to be effective and useful they will need to be very different in Reception to in Year 6.
Use this classroom contract template to make your own version.
Sara Alston is an independent consultant and trainer with SEA Inclusion and Safeguarding, and a practicing SENCo.
