Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools NVQ Level 3

STL18 Support pupilsâ learning activities

K6 How social organisation and relationships, such as pupil grouping and the wa
y adults interact and respond to pupils, may affect learning
Within schools, children are put into groups in order to give them the best lear
ning potential and for their learning to be appropriate for their age and level
of understanding. Some children can be easily distracted, so would work better
in a smaller group with adult attention to keep them on task and encouragement t
o keep them focused. Groups with children of varying ability in some subjects c
an encourage them to help and motivate each other, increasing their self confide
nce. Some children would feel a great sense of achievement knowing they have he
lped another child. Staff working with children in small groups or in whole clas
s support must make sure all interactions with children give encouragement and p
raise, giving help when needed but not doing the work for the child.
Within schools the children are grouped in several ways, eg in ability groups, i
n nurture groups, SEN groups and in EAL groups. The children are also encourage
d to join after school clubs, eg computer club, which help them to form relation
ships across the year groups.
In my role a teaching assistant, I work to support children in small groups and
on an individual basis. This could be inside the classroom, or outside of it..
I ensure that I always respond to children's questions in a way that is unders
tandable to them and helpful without doing the work for them. I always give enc
ouragement, praise and support to ensure children are always motivated to listen
and learn. I try to get to know each child within my groups as quickly as poss
ible so I can support them to the best of my ability and treat every child as an
individual.