As the sector body for the school workforce, the TDA has responsibility for ensuring that school staff can access an appropriate range of fit-for-purpose, accredited qualifications.

When awarding bodies submit qualifications for accreditation to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), they are required to seek support from the relevant sector body.

The TDA wishes to draw on the knowledge of practitioners in the sector to advise on the appropriateness of qualifications submitted to us for endorsement. Such practitioners may include CPD coordinators, headteachers, line managers, local authority staff with school support staff responsibilities, school business managers and school support staff across the range of school roles.

Previous experience of qualification development or endorsement is not necessary as a training session will be held on 9 January 2008. However, detailed knowledge of some of the roles undertaken by school support staff is important.

This is an opportunity for school and local authority staff to contribute to the development of a coherent set of qualifications for support staff. Apart from the training session, involvement will be via email and post and we will call on individuals no more than six times a year. The TDA will pay supply costs to schools to cover the time of their staff.

If you are interested in participating, please send an email with your name, contact details, a short description of your role and why you would like to be involved to standardsandqualifications@tda.gov.uk  by midday Friday 30 November 2007.

View more tdaNews for October 2007