20 yr old male TA in primary - what would you think?

[newromantics]

Just that, really! DS is thinking of becoming a primary teacher and wants to get some TA experience. He's been invited for interview today at a local school (last day before Christmas break so it'll be manic!) to start next term.

However he was worrying this morning that he's not the usual 'TA type' and I must admit my only experience of TAs is of older women who've perhaps had their own kids already etc. I think he'd be great but obviously I'm biased!

What would you think if your Year 1 child had a TA like my DS?

Thank you all (well, most of you ) - he is absolutely delighted, as are we. I'm really proud of him.

I accept that there may be a very small minority of parents who might express the views that a couple of posters have raised here. It's disappointing but it's also partly why I started the thread in the first place, as I wanted to know if this was still a view held by some. He would be horrified to be viewed with suspicion and have his motives questioned but I guess he'll just have to deal with it if it happens (with support from the school I hope). it's heartening to see that the vast majority of parents would welcome him, though!

@JadziaD fwiw, I work in women's health and I do therefore absolutely recognise the phenomenon of the hugely disproportionate number of men in senior positions in my profession, where the VAST majority of staff (and of course, all service users) are female. They rarely stay junior for long...

@newromantics Oh god, in women's health and in senior schools are two areas where this phenomenan drives me absolutely crazy. In primary schools, I eye roll but as I said, I think by definition, as a rule a man who chooses to work in primary schools is one who is making a very conscious and specific choice to work with young children whereas a lot of teachers, brilliant though they may be, choose it because it fits the lifestyle they want (or they think it will - we all know how teachers are overworked).

But in senior schools, that's not the case - male and female teachers surely are at a similar proportion of career-focus vs "fall into it" and overall, there are probably slightly more female teachers than male. At DS' school, the core leadership team are all men. The female leaders are the "soft leaders". It does irritate me quite a bit and I can see it being MORE irritating when DD goes there.

Similarly, women's health... anyone working in Womens health is committed and focused so why the F* are the men the ones who are in the leadership roles?

Argh.

In the meantime, good luck to your son!

That wouldn't be your call to make. Recruitment in schools is not conducted like a reality TV vote; the school's leadership team have selected the candidate they judge best for the role. Given there is a national shortage of TAs, and indeed teaching staff in general, it's wonderful that enthusiastic young people are still attracted to education. I work in secondary and we often have new graduates, and sometimes gap year students, working as TAs and the kids love them in the main. Lots go on to do teacher training - which is much needed as we oldies are retiring in droves. A mixture of experience and youthful energy is just what schools need. Good luck to your son , OP. Ignore the unenlightened few; I hope he will love it and come to join us as a long term career.

Congratulations to your son, hey LonelynSad I'm a 49 year old male TA. Would you get your children moved from my class? If you wonder why a male (of any age) wants to work with children it's because it's fun and rewarding and has purpose. Also sometimes you can actually make a huge difference to a child's life which certainly beats pushing paper in an office.

That's wonderful - congratulations to your son!

When my son was in primary his Year 2 class had a male TA. The whole class loved him and were really sad when he went off to start his teacher training at the end of the year. I think it's great for both boys and girls to see more men in primary school classrooms.

Congratulations to your son! I’m sure he will be a asset to the class and school he will be working in.
The students in my class absolutely loved my TA, who was male and just a little older than your son!

Don’t give the negativity any thoughts, it’s their problem! And their username says a lot!

😂if you were to request such a thing at any school I have ever worked at you would be politely no. You would be advised that you were welcome to find a different school for your precious child.

Congratulations to your son @newromantics

Fantastic news, well done to your son. Need more young males in primary schools.

Congratulations to your son. I hoped you'd update with the outcome. I'm sure he'll get on well.
DS is Head of Languages in a large secondary school but started straight from university a few years ago. He loves it and despite all the negatives, can't imagine doing anything else.

@rainbowunicorn Thankfully my DC's school are amazing, actually listen to parents and bend over backwards to make sure parents are comfortable as well as the children 👍🏻

@IGotItFromAgnes Absolutely I would, yes

Congratulations to your son!

My dp is a TA! He’s 24, and been working doing that since he was 20! Absolutely loves it, says it’s a really rewarding a job, also does the sports coaching too but the kids love him! It’s so nice to see how much impact he has with the kids, he’s planning to move on from the role soon as we are currently saving to move out together and the pay isn’t the best, well done to your son 🙌😃

@Sunshinehappy123 That's great! He sounds fab!
It's so sad TA's aren't paid enough to make it a long-term job for many. I don't think many people realise just how low the wages are 😞

My DS’s reception class had a young male TA. He was fab and all the kids loved him.

As PPs have said, there are loads of young male TAs about now- it's very common!

Edited because I didn't see before that he got the job- fantastic news!

They've got one about that age in ours, he's fine. Bearing in mind some people do a 3 year B Ed straight from school/college and then start teaching at 21, or do a 3 year degree then a PGCE and start teaching at 22, it wouldn't unduly concern me.