NEU Cymru, Wales’s largest education union, has concerns over the continued and growing use of teaching assistants, including Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) and cover supervisors being used to teach classes both on a long- and short-term basis. The National Education Union Cymru understands that many schools are using people without Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) to teach classes.
NEU Cymru is calling on the Welsh government to remind schools and local authorities that, other than in cases of short-term emergency absence, only fully qualified teachers should be used to teach pupils.
Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union Cymru, said:
“Schools in Wales shouldn’t be using unqualified teachers, it’s not fair on the children and young people and it’s not fair on the education professionals, who are being effectively asked to teach a lesson without the proper training or pay.
“While support staff make vital contributions, their deployment as substitutes for qualified teachers is often without appropriate training, pay, or professional recognition, and is driven by systemic recruitment and retention challenges.
“Head Teachers and governing bodies have a clear responsibility to ensure that support staff are not exploited. Using qualified teachers in our schools is of the utmost importance to our members. We want children and young people to have access to the best education, delivered by qualified teachers and supported by well-trained support staff.
The text of the motion to conference on this issue was as follows:
Motion 23. The Use of Non-Qualified Teaching Staff in Welsh Classrooms
Conference Cymru notes with concern that due to ongoing financial pressures, schools across Wales are increasingly relying on individuals who are not qualified teachers to cover lessons when regular teaching staff are unavailable. These individuals may include cover supervisors or teaching assistants, who, while valued members of the school workforce, do not possess the necessary qualifications in pedagogy, subject knowledge, or classroom management to maintain the high standards our children deserve.
Conference Cymru believes that this practice is doing a disservice to pupils in Wales. The use of non-qualified staff to deliver lessons can lead to:
- A decline in academic standards due to lack of subject expertise.
- Increased behavioural issues in the classroom.
- An unfair culture of blame directed toward all supply staff, including qualified teachers.
Conference Cymru further believes that this trend risks undermining the profession, and more importantly, the education and life chances of young people in Wales.
Conference Cymru therefore instructs the NEU Cymru via the executive to:
i. Lobby the Welsh government to remind schools and local authorities that, other than in cases of short-term emergency absence, only fully qualified teachers should be deployed to deliver teaching.
ii. Advocate for clear guidance that cover supervisors should be used solely in cases of unforeseeable, short-term teacher absence.
iii. Call for proper funding and strategic workforce planning to ensure that qualified supply teachers are available and valued within the Welsh education system.