I HAVE been following the articles on fears over teaching assistant redundancies.

Could I just point out that classes once had just one teacher per class and maybe parent volunteers when needed and children thrived.

My son and daughter did okay in classes of more than 30 children.

My daughter and son went from Blackshaw Primary to Canon Slade and then my daughter on to university and my son on to an electrical apprenticeship.

The teachers were first class and every child taught well.

It is never a good thing when people are made redundant, but to say children are thriving because of teaching assistants is demeaning the wonderful and selfless work of teachers.

My daughter and daughter-in-law are teachers and work tirelessly to educate the next generation so give credit were credit is due.

Teaching assistants are just that — assistants.

Beverley Holland

Heaton