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Original poster

Any TA's?

44 replies

TARF567 · 01/01/2023 14:02

I have a interview this week for a TA job that is in a school for pupils with profound disabilities, any tips for the interview?

I have worked with children in a nursery before in the past but never in a school.

I'm dyslexic as well, so hoping this won't go against me.

What would you say I need to know before the interview? I have done my prep on safeguarding, why I want to be a TA etc.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
TARF567 · 01/01/2023 20:01

Anyone?

OP posts:
stayingaliveisawayoflife · 01/01/2023 20:09

Hello I am a primary school teacher. Maybe think through a lesson and what you might do e.g during whole class carpet intro you would sit with specific children and support with needs and reinforce main teaching points and skills needed. During main point of lesson work with identified children to achieve the lesson objective. Stretch and challenge more able possibly.

Use whiteboards, word books, junior dictionary's etc to support writing.
I would mention dyslexia and how you have learnt how to adapt learning to support yourself and you will use that skill and knowledge with the children.

Feel free to DM me. I am key stage 1 coord and safeguarding lead so am happy to help.

Beldam · 01/01/2023 20:11

Primary ? Secondary ?

be smiley, enthusiastic and patient 😁

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
stayingaliveisawayoflife · 01/01/2023 20:14

With profound disabilities you may need to look at OT resources and handwriting like the Ion Teoderescu resources.

I think you should also mention following targets set on plans for each child. You could end up in more of an LSA role where you focus on supporting one child in particular. Also talk about linking with the SENDCo and outside agencies including OT and Speech and language therapy.

To be honest there should be a lot of procedures and plans in place for the child or children you end up working with.

Original poster
TARF567 · 01/01/2023 20:19

So it's a school that goes from 4 to 16 years so could be either primary or secondary though my preference would be primary.

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 01/01/2023 20:23

Do you know Makaton? Even if just to say hello to any children you see?

Original poster
TARF567 · 01/01/2023 20:32

@TeenDivided I have learnt basics in British sign language.

OP posts:
Loafbeginsat60 · 01/01/2023 20:45

You will probably be asked a question about child protection. So read up on that and all you really need to say is that you would report any concerns to the HT or child protection officer.

Can you look online and see what the school improvement plan is? Mention a few of their key priorities

You will be asked a question wwyd with a difficult pupil no doubt. Stay calm, reduce verbal language.

What experience do you have with kids? Any training courses you've been on?

Feel free to PM me as I am a teacher in a ASN school - same ages as yours

What I would be looking for in a TA would be compassionate, with a sense of humour, calm, organised, team player.

Do you have any special skills you could share like baking, sewing, gardening, or even running, chess - we love being able to teach the kids life skills and that goes down well in an interview!

riotlady · 01/01/2023 20:46

I used to be a TA in a SEN school

Be prepared to talk about supporting with hygiene (nursery experience might help you here as I assume you’re used to nappy changes!), possibly feeding too

Some knowledge of communication aids (no need to be an expert just a general awareness) eg makaton, PECS

As pp said, be aware of other professionals you might work alongside eg SLT, physio, OT. In my job generally they would come in, assess and set activities and then it would be the TAs who carried them out daily/weekly with the child

Generally show an interest and be willing to learn.

good luck :)

Twiglets1 · 01/01/2023 20:54

Im a TA. I don’t remember my interview being a difficult one, they are more checking you are a certain type of person. Someone who comes across friendly, patient and with a good sense of humour because that helps in the job. Stress that you would enjoy working in a team. They will probably ask you questions about scenarios like what would you do if a child couldn’t access the lesson or was refusing to participate. The answer is normally to be patient, give the child time, break it down for them into manageable chunks and recognise that success means different things for different children but it’s important for the child to feel praised and that they have achieved something. It’s important to come across as positive.

Original poster
TARF567 · 01/01/2023 21:14

Thank you all so much! I play chess so I can show the children that! I have been in retail for the last 4 years, so have experience with all types of people. I am excited to be going for a interview, I am very willing to learn and I plan on getting BSL 1, 2 and 3 stages as well.

OP posts:
Morph22010 · 01/01/2023 21:17

My child is in a specialist school and they have quite a high turnover of TA’s as I think working in specialist can be challenging and people don’t really have any concept of what they are taking on. It will depend on the type of children in the school but you could discuss how you’d deal with challenging behaviour, keep children emotionally regulated etc

AlinaSquareQueen · 03/01/2023 15:42

@TARF567

Hi OP, I’ve only just seen this thread, but please let us know how you get on (although I’m not sure when your interview is?).

I’ve been a TA for many years, and I love it for the most part, which is supporting the (mainly) amazing students. I actually enjoy working with the challenging ones too tbh.

I don’t think being dyslexic will have any bearing on the outcome of your interview - unless you particularly want to specialise in English perhaps. And it sounds like you’re well prepared - the Safeguarding question is the most important. Try to maintain good eye contact, and be enthusiastic about the role, without going OTT.

And FWIW, there are loads of unfilled TA jobs around, in my area at least, so you’ll no doubt have other schools you can apply to. Although I’m hopeful you’ll get the job!

Original poster
TARF567 · 03/01/2023 15:49

Thank you @AlinaSquareQueen it's tomorrow my interview!

OP posts:
AlinaSquareQueen · 03/01/2023 15:58

@TARF567

Ooh, exciting!

The advice already given on here by PPs is spot on btw, and I especially agree with all Twiglets1’s comments, who says that, above all, these students just want to get praise and feel good about themselves. And in your potential school, that is particularly relevant.

All the very best of luck!

HazeyjaneIII · 03/01/2023 16:18

The 2 things I would include would be...

  1. That you recognise the importance of working in partnership with colleagues, parents and outside professionals, with the young person at the centre of everything you do.
  2. That you think it's important to support the young person in accessing education and the school experience, and that it is important to do this by encouraging independence through scaffolding experience, taking small steps and knowing when to take a step back.

....oh and say you're willing to do any training going.

Good luck!

Original poster
TARF567 · 03/01/2023 19:00

Thank you both!

OP posts:
Everydaywheniwakeup · 03/01/2023 19:11

If it's a school for children with profound needs,some of what has been suggested will not be relevant. Agree re PECS, Makaton. Look up objects of reference if you don't know what they are, ditto visual prompts. There may be questions re feeding/toileting/changing experience and willingness to learn if you haven't done it before.

maddy68 · 03/01/2023 19:14

Don't talk when the teachers is giving instructions
How can you help the child without giving it away
Use of positive praise
Understand any safeguarding issues need to be given to the safeguarding lead

chocolateisavegetable · 03/01/2023 19:28

Questions I’ve been asked in a TA interview:

What would you do if a parent asked you a question about their child / someone else’s child?

what would you do if you reported a safeguarding issue and felt like the DSL hadn’t taken us seriously?

what do you think the role of the TA is?

what would you do if a child wanted to tell you something and asked you to promise not to tell anyone else?

can you be flexible with your hours if asked to help with a school trip or similar?

Good luck!

JessicaBrassica · 03/01/2023 19:33

If you're working in pmld provision makaton will be more useful than bsl unless there is a specific hearing impairment unit. There are some common signs but they are different.

Moving and handling will also be a significant issue. If you have any wheelchair users in school ensure they will train you.

Might be worth looking at some of the conditions their children have. Our specialist school has a lot of asd, cp, epilepsy, plus kids with genetic conditions. Does the school use approaches like Team teach? What other behaviour management approaches do they use?

Twiglets1 · 03/01/2023 19:34

chocolateisavegetable · 03/01/2023 19:28

Questions I’ve been asked in a TA interview:

What would you do if a parent asked you a question about their child / someone else’s child?

what would you do if you reported a safeguarding issue and felt like the DSL hadn’t taken us seriously?

what do you think the role of the TA is?

what would you do if a child wanted to tell you something and asked you to promise not to tell anyone else?

can you be flexible with your hours if asked to help with a school trip or similar?

Good luck!

Yeah … always say you’ll be flexible even if you can’t be in reality. They won’t make you help with school trips etc once in post.

Original poster
TARF567 · 03/01/2023 19:48

Thanks all, I will happily learn Makaton rather than BSL, I wasn't sure which to learn! I know the school has lots of children with autism and ASD.

OP posts:
Original poster
TARF567 · 04/01/2023 14:00

Had my interview I felt like it went well, the assistant head teachers said she liked me and my interview, I also went for a walk around the school, which was good, it's not put me off!

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 04/01/2023 14:55

TARF567 · 04/01/2023 14:00

Had my interview I felt like it went well, the assistant head teachers said she liked me and my interview, I also went for a walk around the school, which was good, it's not put me off!

Sounds very promising, hope you get good news soon