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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:
GladioliandSweetPeas · 15/12/2023 11:53

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

Eh?! They're 4/5 years old in Reception! So if 20yr olds had kids in Reception, they'd have to have been 15/16 when they had them! Not unheard of of course but I disagree with "plenty" of them!

Abra1t · 15/12/2023 11:56

Even 18 years ago my children had male TAs. They loved them. I was glad to see good male role
models for my son.

bluebird3 · 15/12/2023 11:58

I think it's great! My DD has a young male TA in her class and he's fab with the kids and they all love him. My friend's DH is also a TA and he's well loved by the staff and kids.

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NoCloudsAllowed · 15/12/2023 11:58

GladioliandSweetPeas · 15/12/2023 11:53

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

Eh?! They're 4/5 years old in Reception! So if 20yr olds had kids in Reception, they'd have to have been 15/16 when they had them! Not unheard of of course but I disagree with "plenty" of them!

Not a huge amount but it does happen.

The point is, a 20 yo is capable of having a job and caring for kids. This was once entirely unremarkable. We've infantilised young adults a lot.

JanefromLondon1 · 15/12/2023 11:59

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This has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns.

Ceci03 · 15/12/2023 11:59

Why are you worried OP?

reluctantbrit · 15/12/2023 12:01

I hope he does it.

DD had two male nursery teacher (toddler room), a male student teacher and a male Y6 teacher.

They were absolutely brilliant. The class burst in tears when the student teacher accepted a position at a different school after his degree. They all loved him.

Laurasummer · 15/12/2023 12:02

Hiya

I wouldn't mind at all having a TA like your son for my child . However what is concerning is , he's goin for an interview and going to walk into the most vulnerable kids in the school, which are the SEN kids , with very little training it appears .
He may be a whole class TA , but generally the TAs in the class are left helping these kids .

This is concerning . This is what would concern me . How much training has he been given to look after the special educational needs of those children in the class .

If he has little or insufficient training , then this can also put him at risk , and also his job and future jobs if anything was to go wrong .

Original poster
newromantics · 15/12/2023 12:02

He's back from his interview, absolutely buzzing and really wants this job, bless him. Hopefully they won't keep him waiting too long to find out. I will update!

@GladioliandSweetPeas that's an awful experience, but yours is exactly the kind of assumption that scares intelligent, kind, capable young men like DS away from working with children.

OP posts:
SgtJuneAckland · 15/12/2023 12:03

DS had a male teacher at nursery, he was fantastic and I agree about lots of children needing positive male role models, or also shifts perceptions away from females in caring roles. Good for him

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

Laurasummer · 15/12/2023 12:02

Hiya

I wouldn't mind at all having a TA like your son for my child . However what is concerning is , he's goin for an interview and going to walk into the most vulnerable kids in the school, which are the SEN kids , with very little training it appears .
He may be a whole class TA , but generally the TAs in the class are left helping these kids .

This is concerning . This is what would concern me . How much training has he been given to look after the special educational needs of those children in the class .

If he has little or insufficient training , then this can also put him at risk , and also his job and future jobs if anything was to go wrong .

I don't get the impression from what DS has said that his remit would be 1-2-1 input with the kids with SEN. The school has other experienced TAs and HLTAs, I believe.

OP posts:
EddieVeddersfoxymop · 15/12/2023 12:13

I'm a TA and would say that we'd welcome him with open arms - a good male role model is invaluable for the lads in school.

Laurasummer · 15/12/2023 12:18

If he is a class TA , he will be helping those who struggle the most - the SEND kids .

Also any child with behavioural difficulties or are dysregulated.

Unfortunately nowasays it's not all roses in the gardens in education and we have a SEND system that is broken , and the TA's get left to deal with children with significant SEND. Often with no training or experience. It's not fair on the child nor on the staff .

I would be advising that your child asks for adequate training and support before walking in off the streets, to start work straight after term ,into the class room . As it could quickly find himself in hot water.

I would also advise before he walks into that classroom that he reads and understands how each of the SEND children present and what accomadations they need .

LorlieS · 15/12/2023 12:27

@GladioliandSweetPeas Why the difference?

My husband works in social care. His title is convoluted, but in essence he is an unqualified social worker. He works in a very female dominated environment and I could not be prouder of the work he does. He is always in demand as some clients (both male and female) prefer to work with a male for various reasons. The pay is absolutely dire but he loves his job ❤️

TrinityTinselToes · 15/12/2023 12:34

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?

I wouldn't think anything.

Long time since any of mine were in Year 1 but It wouldn't have bothered Me

I done a TA course once at a college and there was a young Man there on the course.

Katela18 · 15/12/2023 12:36

To be honest my assumption would probably be he's hoping to work towards being a teacher! As a mum whose little girl starts school next year I wouldn't think twice or worry at all.

Chriscarter23 · 15/12/2023 12:36

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MumChp · 15/12/2023 12:38

The young TAs have been great at my children's school! Good luck.

Onelifeonly · 15/12/2023 12:39

A lot of training for TAs is given on the job, or should be. Some people may have a qualification but it isn't necessary unless for early years. To be fair, each SEN child is an individual who will have their own needs. The school will already know what strategies they have put in place for a child or have been advised to use by outside agencies. If they have an EHCP these will be documented in there.

Our staff get general training on different types of SEN from time to time, but there is nothing that covers everything or applies exactly for a particular child. But school managers should know, as will the class teacher, hopefully. To be honest, the best support staff often have an instinct for it. Some can be told many times but not actually 'get it'. Empathy helps and goes a long way!

WinkyTinky · 15/12/2023 12:44

He should 100% do it. Male role models in school are so important, and in my experience the kids seem to love having a man teacher. Even more so a TA as they can be a bit more of the fun grown up in the room! Boys especially really take to male members of staff. I hope this is the start of a lovely career for him 🤗

Anotheranonymousname · 15/12/2023 12:44

Fingers crossed he gets the job! I've had a couple of young, male TAs including one who was 20. They bring a different dynamic to the classroom, I've enjoyed working with them and it's been great for the children to see men being led by women.

SleighAnotherDay · 15/12/2023 12:45

There's a male TA where I work and he's the only one who can work with a particularly troubled child. He's lovely and it's clear the child responds better to him than any of the other female TAs.

My son has ASD and while not problematic behaviourally, he's really coming on this year as he has a male teacher. It has definitely made a difference.

I know gender shouldn't be important, and children should ideally respect both male and female staff the same, but it's great to have positive male role models and that dynamic around for young boys and men.

katenutzs · 15/12/2023 12:48

Our school has had a couple
Will bw good experience for his future career

C152 · 15/12/2023 12:48

I have a son, so I would think it is great. It is excellent for boys to see other men do a wide variety of jobs, especially those that historically seem to be filled mainly by women.

MILTOBE · 15/12/2023 12:52

I really hope he gets the job. We need more good male role models in schools.

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