An Ofsted report has today backed the use of teaching assistants in the classroom.

The report says the assistants are improving the quality of education but finds they are not reducing the workload of teachers.

Forum Response: National Union of Teachers

Doug McAvoy, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "The help provided by teaching assistants in the classroom comes at the expense of easing the bureaucratic burdens on teachers. Assistants play a valuable role and should be properly paid but they cannot be a substitute for teachers.

"Missing from this report is the voice of teachers. They will have clear views on the value and role of teaching assistants as well as on the benefits they bring to young people. But they also know of the additional burden that comes with managing teaching assistants.

"It is crystal clear from the report that teaching assistants are not a magical solution for reducing teacher workload. The report sends an emphatic message to the chancellor that the growing number of assistants in our schools has not led to a reduction in teachers' workload. He still has the task of funding a reduction in teacher workload in his Comprehensive Spending Review."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Alison Johnston, senior professional officer at the Professional Association of Teachers, told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the report and its recommendations - especially those on training, qualifications and careers.

"As the report recognises, teaching assistants have a vital role in supporting children's learning - especially in literacy, numeracy and special needs. Education benefits from, to use PAT's phrase, a 'whole team' of professionals.

"However, we must make sure teaching/classroom assistants receive appropriate training, as we know that many are frustrated by the lack of training available. They must have a 'career ladder' and salary and training structure, as teachers do. Their pay and conditions must also be addressed. Those who do not wish to become teachers are also entitled to a 'career'.

"In 1999, we launched Classroom Assistants: a Career Ladder and in 2000 proposals for a Chartered Teaching Assistants scheme to give these fellow professionals proper recognition, using a three-stage system based on qualifications, experience and ongoing professional training.

"Although assistants are there to support teachers, they are not there simply to undertake mundane tasks, such as copying and filing, for teachers. They are professionals in their own right."