Sara Alston is a practising SENCO and an independent SEND and safeguarding consultant and trainer with over 30 years of teaching experience. Sara has written a number of online courses and resources for teachers and TAs, including on pre- and over-learning and differentiation, for a range of organisations such as Inclusion Expert, School Bus and UK Parliament Education Service. She writes regular articles for Teach Primary and Headteacher Update as well as blogs about SEND and safeguarding issues. Sara is the co-author of The Inclusive Classroom: A new approach to differentiation, with Daniel Sobel.
An absolute gem! It's a book that every teacher should read if they want to get the absolute best from their TA. Full of practical strategies which can be easily implemented. -- Carmel Martin, Deputy Headteacher and SENDCo Whether you are a newly qualified teacher or an educator who has been teaching for many years, this book is for you. This book provides this valuable information for senior leaders and teachers and every school should purchase a copy. -- Aimee Durning MBE. Co-Founder of the UK TA Network Hub & Director of Inclusion & Community at the University of Cambridge Primary School Sara uses her wealth of experience to share a solution focused approach to working with TAs. There is great insight into how to positively develop practices that support the efficacy of TAs in schools. -- Kenny Wheeler, SEND, Inclusion and Leadership Consultant - @KennyInclusion A comprehensive and accessible guide to support anyone in gaining the most from their support staff. I enjoyed the many practical strategies and case studies to support and inspire! -- Andy Taylor, Senior Lecturer at University of Worcester @MrTs_NQTs A must for teachers, SENCOs and TAs alike. Whilst clearly EYFS and Primary focused, it works for Secondary schools too. The advice, guidance and examples are practical, realistic and accessible. -- Dr Helene Cohen - lecturer, SEND consultant, tutor/supervisor for NASENCO/iSENDCO Masters awards. @EdPleaseMiss Practical, highly relatable advice for new and experienced teachers with brilliant personal stories and case studies that really brings this book alive. The key takeaways at the end of each chapter are succinct and support teachers with knowing exactly what to do next to consolidate and improve outcomes in their class. Teachers learn to teach; nobody teaches teachers about managing TAs, this book gives a superb step by step guide to support best practice. -- Kiren Bennett, SLE SEND, Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion at Ulverley School, part of Robin Hood MAT This well-informed book is an important must read for anyone teaching alongside an assistant. This relationship can be confusing, so this book unpicks issues through a case study approach and common sense thinking. -- Dr Sue Allingham. Consultant, Author, Trainer @DrSue22 Packed with tried-and-tested advice from a life of coordinating SEN, Sara's book is my new go-to . Highly recommend. -- Ben Slater, Founder and Lead Consultant, Fiveways Devon, Twitter: @DevonFiveways