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Original poster

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

243 replies

newromantics · 15/12/2023 09:33

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?

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 15/12/2023 09:43

20 is quite young so as a parent I would worry. What kind of knowledge and experience he has? Sibling with disability, scouts volunteering, a course, uni, etc?
I would be ok with seen him as a break time supervisor and around here it’s usually a first step by the way but not 121 TA for my child.
And it’s not ageism at all, it just me being realistic. DD had a few young supply TAs and they were absolutely brilliant but they were about 25.

Madameprof · 15/12/2023 09:43

It's great to have young men in primary schools as it tends to be a very female environment. Most parents would be pleased think.

Mariposista · 15/12/2023 09:45

A really good friend always wanted to work in a nursery. He just loved very young children and they loved him. He plays 4 musical instruments, always has a game up his sleeve and is kind and patient. He has come up against a few snobby mums but they can jog on - it’s sad really when you see some of his female colleagues standing about on their phones rather than dealing with the children.
Good luck to your son! We need hardworking young male teachers in our schools.

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20 years old General education Primary education
Original poster
newromantics · 15/12/2023 09:45

Ah, some very encouraging replies, thank you! The bit about playing football made me smile - DS is football mad and would love to be kicking a ball around in the playground again Grin He's also really musical, does drama etc so hopefully he'll have useful skills he can bring.

I really really hope he gets it, he's had a shit year and really wants to feel as if he's got something worthwhile to focus on. He went to visit the school earlier this week and just loved it, so please do keep your fingers crossed for him!

OP posts:
FussyPud · 15/12/2023 09:45

I’ve known a few male TAs as I used to be a governor. One is still a TA, one is a teacher now, and one went into school admin type work.

It’s good for children to have lots of different role models in school. :)

Inspirationpending · 15/12/2023 09:46

My son started as a TA at a similar age and is now teacher training. He loves it and the kids love him, often gets told he’s the favourite teacher 😂

SecondUsername4me · 15/12/2023 09:46

It's a good thing!

Also might be worth him going and doing a season at an outdoor Ed centre - lots of direct work with young people, and schools.

TheFormidableMrsC · 15/12/2023 09:46

I think it's great and actually, a young male will be a really positive influence. I think it's fantastic and I wouldn't bat an eyelid.

NoCloudsAllowed · 15/12/2023 09:46

pizzaHeart · 15/12/2023 09:43

20 is quite young so as a parent I would worry. What kind of knowledge and experience he has? Sibling with disability, scouts volunteering, a course, uni, etc?
I would be ok with seen him as a break time supervisor and around here it’s usually a first step by the way but not 121 TA for my child.
And it’s not ageism at all, it just me being realistic. DD had a few young supply TAs and they were absolutely brilliant but they were about 25.

I disagree, plenty of 20 year olds have their own kids in reception!

It probably would help to have experience with kids as much as possible. Babysitting might work - there are lots of apps where you can sign up for babysitting jobs. Or if you know a family with young children, he could help out there. Probably a good idea to know about the more patience-testing side of kids before being in a classroom full of them all day.

Daisies12 · 15/12/2023 09:47

Of course it's fine. Sad state of the word to think it's not fine, do we think that little of men

Shpeech · 15/12/2023 09:47

Tell him to watch the movie "The nativity"!

dontforgetme · 15/12/2023 09:47

There's a couple of young male TA's in my kids' school and both ds and dd adore them. Apparently they are both hilarious and lots of fun Grin my ds has actually named one of his teddies after his TA Grin

Will keep my fingers crossed for your son! Please update us!

OldTinHat · 15/12/2023 09:48

When my DC were at primary, the deputy head was newly graduated. He was mid 20s, I guess, and he was excellent.

Original poster
newromantics · 15/12/2023 09:48

pizzaHeart · 15/12/2023 09:43

20 is quite young so as a parent I would worry. What kind of knowledge and experience he has? Sibling with disability, scouts volunteering, a course, uni, etc?
I would be ok with seen him as a break time supervisor and around here it’s usually a first step by the way but not 121 TA for my child.
And it’s not ageism at all, it just me being realistic. DD had a few young supply TAs and they were absolutely brilliant but they were about 25.

I think those are fair points. He was at uni last year but left as it was the wrong course for him. He's been working in retail since then but wants something more challenging and rewarding. The school didn't expect any experience and said they were just looking for the right person. Whether that will be DS or not, I guess we will see!

OP posts:
Alwaystired23 · 15/12/2023 09:49

My DCs school had a 20 ish year old male TA. He's left now, but the kids loved him. I think it's nice to have male teachers/staff in primary schools. The same as I wish we had more male nurses where I work.

Original poster
newromantics · 15/12/2023 09:50

Shpeech · 15/12/2023 09:47

Tell him to watch the movie "The nativity"!

Haha, yes that film did come up in our chats this week! Thankfully DS is a wee bit more on the ball than that...

OP posts:
Clutterbugsmum · 15/12/2023 09:53

Good for your DS to want to work with children.

I will say when I was a school governor at was lucky as we had a male teacher.

Primary schools were looking for good male role models for Primary aged children.

Onelifeonly · 15/12/2023 09:53

We have had a few over the years where I work - it's absolutely fine and great for some boys who love a male role model. One was from NZ and only did the job as a fill-in while he was living in UK temporarily ('travelling'). He loved it and was also very good at it. So much so, that he went home and trained to be a primary school teacher, when that had never been his plan.

AllIsWellish · 15/12/2023 09:53

My younger 2s school have had young male TAs , there's also quite a lot of male teachers. It's quire a deprived area and I think it's good for the children, especially boys to see good young male role models

KCSIE · 15/12/2023 09:54

I'd think........'oh good a well needed TA!'

Athena51 · 15/12/2023 09:54

Before my DS did his PGCE (secondary in his case) he worked as a TA for a couple of terms to get classroom experience, he was 21 and had just got his degree. I know there are fewer men in Primary schools but I think that a young, male role model is really valuable, especially for boys and it'll help him to see if he really likes the environment.

He should go for it.

Lancasterel · 15/12/2023 09:55

Often great role models and in short supply! Go for it!

Perfectlystill · 15/12/2023 09:55

I love a male member of staff in a primary school. The boys really love it.

Talipesmum · 15/12/2023 09:57

A relative of mine did the same at around the same age. He got on brilliantly at the school as a TA, really liked working with the kids, got on great, good training etc. He did consider going through and starting to do training to eventually work up to being a teacher, but after a few years of TA work, he decided to switch career, as though he really liked the job, the kids, and did like the staff, he started to want to work somewhere with more people “like him” - he was craving a younger crowd, more of a mix of men and women. He’s now elsewhere and really getting on well, but the TA work was great for him, matured him a lot, and could have worked out.

TeddyBeans · 15/12/2023 09:57

I work in the industry and it's always a breath of fresh air having a male in any sort of educational role. The two male TAs in a school I worked at previously were amongst the favourites for all the kids. Not to stereotype but they often have a goofy side and are full of fun and the kids love that but have the ability to be serious and knuckle down when need be. It wouldn't bother me in the slightest and I think more young men should consider jobs in education

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