Position: Learning Support Assistant
Employer: Grange School for children with moderate learning difficulties in Kempston, Bedfordshire
Monday
Park the car and make my way to class. The children arrive at nine. They each perform an individual task for ten minutes, practicing handwriting or maybe learning to tie a shoelace. This settles them down and gets everyone into a 'school' frame of mind.
Grange School has an intake of 160 pupils across both the primary and secondary age range, with varying degrees of learning difficulty. We teach children with Down's syndrome, ADHD, visual impairment and autism. Attached to the Year Eight autism unit, where all the children are 12 and 13 years of age, I am one of six learning support assistants. The children integrate with the main school wherever possible.
My primary function is to calm and reassure the children. Any change, no matter how small, can be traumatic to those with autism. If a teacher is off sick, or the class is about to start a new project, the kids need to know I'll be there throughout.
After assembly, I find my assigned children - who tend to be boys - check they've got homework folders, pens and so on, and take them to their next lesson - it helps to keep a supply of stationery with you at all times!
After lunchtime duty, it's maths. I have Stephen, Tim and Paul. Today's lesson is about money. Everyone has 5p to spend. Stephen buys a TV. Cost? 46.50 -we've some way to go on money.
We end the day with games. David is one of my kids. It's taken three weeks to persuade him to go outside. Much of my time is spent with children such as David, helping to boost their confidence and providing the encouragement they need to take part in activities. I try to set a good example and as we're one short for football, I have a go in goal.
Tuesday
Routine is essential for autistic children, so the timetable follows a similar pattern each day. Today, I take Henry and Ian to science and surprise myself as I remember things from my days as an apprentice engineer.
I usually find myself assigned to a fair number of games and design & technology classes, as my previous experience in the workplace means I'm most suited to these lessons - I had 20 years working for local government in the sports and community sector - but I have to remember to do everything properly and not pass on any bad habits!
Wednesday
Computer skills - my favourite! The kids know more than I do, but they still need plenty of reassurance when things don't go as planned. Learning support assistants don't teach, but this lesson is a constant source of frustration as I can't help as much as I'd like. 'You are the weakest link. Goodbye,' says John. He might be right.
Thursday
I spent today on an intensive course about the education of autistic children. The teachers are American and seem to believe lunch is for wimps. It's a brilliant course, but at the end of the day I'm exhausted (not to mention starving).
Friday
English - we've been studying Treasure Island and Alan arrives. 'I won Pounds 32,000 on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" last night!' he tells us excitedly. '"Which book did Billy Bones come from?" I knew the answer! I won Pounds 32,000!' It's a great moment and a fantastic end to the week.
