Working with School Learning Support Officers - SLSOs

If you have an SLSO in your class assisting either an individual student or roaming and assisting the whole class, there are effective strategies you can employ to maximise the effectiveness of this resource / person:

What to do:

• Give clear requests "excuse me miss / sir, could you please help Johnny for a moment with the task".
• Introduce the SLSO to the class "we have ( name ) here with us today to help us. If you have a question please ask him / her".
• Liaise with SLSO prior to lesson on intented outcomes / lesson focus, in order to help them prepare.
• At beginning of lesson, a breif recap of the prior lesson. Which is beneficial to both the students AND SLSO.
• Treat the SLSO with respect and courtesy.
• Understanding that the SLSO is not a teacher. They are there to assist both yourself and the students.

What not to do:

• Asking from across the room "which student are you here for?"
• Ignore the SLSO.
• Ask the SLSO the look after the class in your absence.