Why Join TAN?

Re-thinking Equity in Education

TAN is a solution-based network dedicated to providing support of the anti-racism professional learning for all teaching assistants across Wales. We hold monthly meetings, to build a community of learning support staff from all types of demographic schools to share best practice, build confidence and develop skills through lived experiences.

Within the network, one of our aims is to help raise the representation of Black, Asian and minority ethnic, professional teaching staff. We identify teaching assistants who would like support, advice and assistance in career progression by coaching and mentoring their journey. We are also committed to supporting teaching assistants who would would like to work towards HTLA status. Look out for details of our first annual TAN Conference, coming in Summer 2022.

Representation Matters...

Prof, Charlotte Williams OBE

Report 2021 - Click Here

January 2022

Yusuf Ibrahim, Dean of Cardiff and Vale College shared his professional journey in education and promoted the course options available at Cardiff and Vale college.

February 2022

Soyinka Joshua, Advise Service Manager – Race Equality First. Delivered a FREE presentation of hate crime.

Specifically designed with the education sector in mind. Hate crimes, with pupils are usually referred to “hate incidents”, so not to criminalise young people.

Schools, are a place of learning, so it should be up to the education system to inform knowledge around the actions and consequences of hate incidents. As well as providing anti-racism lessons within their teaching and learning, on a continuous basis.

March 2022

The Matrix is an online anti-racism coaching session, designed for teaching assistants. The MatRix is used to describe society, where the social construct of the race will begin to be understood.

Part 1, explores ethnic categorisation and the intention to create equity. However, ethnic categorisation was only introduced into the education system in 1990. During this short time, Schools in Wales are still trying to recruit diverse staff, design inclusive curriculum and increase a diverse demographic.

Part 1, of the MatRix will help teaching assistants understand the importance of applying an anti-racist approach to teaching and learning, through policy and practice. To help support the Welsh governments anti-racism action plan.

The Matrix is an online anti-racism coaching session, designed for teaching assistants. The MatRix is used to describe society, where the social construct of the race will begin to be understood.

Part 2, examines the causes, effects and symptoms of racism with in the education system. Teaching assistants will challenge their thinking about their attitudes, behaviours, and practice within a classroom setting and learn alternative responses to how to be an effective anti-racist educator.

Part 2, of the MatRix will help teaching assistants understand the importance of applying useful curriculum resources and material within the classroom for all students. To help develop global citizens.

Are you prepared to teach?

If you are considering becoming a professional teacher, Cardiff Met University, are running a prepare to teach, one day workshop on June 22nd.

This could be a good opportunity for you to explore the options available, discuss route and entry requirements. According to the EWC, 50% of teaching assistants have GCSE’s and 10% already have a degree. So for some, the journey into a professional teaching role, is not so long.

There is a significant lack of Black, Asian and minority ethnic, professional workforce, but a large amount working as teaching assistants. This could be a ‘level up’ opportunity, if you are prepared to teach.

Click on the link to register your interest.

Why Education?

Introduction to ASD by:

All Behaviour Consultancy ABC-

Founder Georgiana Koyoma.

All children deserve the opportunity to be seen and valued at school.

All teaching staff deserve support to give their children the best opportunity to thrive.

Often there is a mismatch of the support that teaching staff and the support that children need to thrive.

This mismatch is often due to a lack of training on how to understand the underlying behavioural needs that children have. Heightened focus is placed on children’s behaviour which require additional support and can stretch teachers time and resources.

I love the impact and feedback that I receive each time I deliver training in School Wide Positive Behaviour Support because I know that the outcomes helps to bridge the gap for teachers and students. In turn creating opportunities for all to feel a sense of fulfilment and thrive.