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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:
caringcarer · 15/12/2023 12:58

It would be a good thing. Some DC don't have any positive male roll models in their lives.

Underhisi · 15/12/2023 13:10

My son's all through special school has lots of male TAs of all ages.

MabelMaybe · 15/12/2023 13:15

DS had a male Foundation teacher. It's great for boys to see male role models in primary schools.

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20 years old General education Primary education
shreddednips · 15/12/2023 15:14

When I used to teach, we had loads of young male TAs and they were fab. It's a good thing for kids to build positive relationships with staff of all ages and backgrounds, every good relationship they have gives them something new.

2jacqi · 15/12/2023 15:56

@newromantics excellent idea!! many children nowadays do not have a male role model in their lives!! good luck to him!

Cupcakekiller · 15/12/2023 15:57

It's good to have an even split of ages and sexes in all workplaces, particularly in primary schools. Shame there's not more in nurseries/pre schools.

fussychica · 15/12/2023 15:59

Good luck to him. If he decides to become a primary teacher he should have good career prospects. There aren't enough men in primary teaching, male role models are important.

WelshNerd · 15/12/2023 16:00

For lots of reasons we need more men in a wider range of roles within education.

reelcat · 15/12/2023 18:41

As a lot of people have said there aren't enough male role models in Primary schools! Good luck to him!

MrsDilligaf · 15/12/2023 19:01

There is currently a male student teacher in DD'S school and he is amazing. The children and staff have loved having him in class, and I can't tell you how many times I've heard "Mr Smith said..."

Our PE staff are all male, they also run the before and after school clubs and holiday clubs. As many PPs have said, they tend to get stuck in with the sports activities, encouraging the children to play actively.

OP I hope he is successful.

Soubriquet · 15/12/2023 19:03

Wouldn’t bother me at all. I used work in a nursery and there was a young lad there working too. He was brilliant with the kids

WellWellSaidTheRockingChair · 15/12/2023 19:05

Totally relevant and worthwhile work experience for his career goal - I wish him luck

tsmainsqueeze · 15/12/2023 19:07

Brilliant ! i would have been very pleased , he could be a very positive role model.

MsInterpret · 15/12/2023 19:10

Some of our best TAs are young men. Go for it!

Laurasummer · 15/12/2023 19:10

And that's one of few reasons , why a lot of SEN kids are struggling in school, getting taught by clueless TAs and teaching staff. .

Not blaming the staff , but god some of them don't have a clue . And actually do more harm from good.

Getting Pple off street corners And putting them into the classroom to support SEND kids with no training and " on d job training " , is harmful both to the child and staff working with them.

My advise to aTA a out there don't accept this and ask for training and support before you step in the classroom. It's not good enough training on d job . If anything was to go wrong - your job is on d line .n does anyone think of d actual harm this causes the poor kids who have to be taught by such pple . No they don't .

God help the children hes going to teach is all I can say .. I don't mean this in a hateful way . But he's litterly come off d streets to support kids without any training.

Its not his fault - but the system - when you earn more working in lidl then a TA in a school.it says it all

Mysterian · 15/12/2023 19:16

If you want children to have a balanced and well rounded view of people in society you really need them to meet a varied spread of examples of them.

CormorantStrikesBack · 15/12/2023 19:19

My brother was a TA in a primary for quite a few years. He was maybe mid 30s so a bit older but the kids loved him.

LittleBluePenguinisaFairy · 15/12/2023 19:22

We had a male ta in our local primary couldn't tell you his age but certainly not old- he is absolutely adored by all the children throughout the school. He has worked his way through college while still being a ta in the school and is now a newly qualified teacher for ks1. The kids in his class are the envy of the school!

Tell him to do it and support him totally.

locomum83 · 15/12/2023 19:23

The male teachers in my girls school are the most popular, they are soft natured and have a different way with the kids. It's refreshing and welcomed, I'd wish him every success!

bobby81 · 15/12/2023 19:24

There was a fabulous young, male TA at my DCs primary school - he was great, the kids & parents loved him.
Also two young, male teachers who were both wonderful & I honestly can't imagine better teachers than them. I feel very lucky that they taught my DC.

ChilledToTheBone · 15/12/2023 19:24

Dds teacher started as a TA. Decided to progress. He's now a qualified teacher and one of if not the best teacher there. Hes brilliant.
Youngest also has a male pre school practitioner and hes fab too hes 18

SusanKennedyshouldLTB · 15/12/2023 19:27

Before i opened the thread i thought i bet he wants to be a teacher. You need school experience.

we had a male TA years ago. School paid for his degree. He is a head of dept now.

ItsNotOkItsNotTheEnd · 15/12/2023 19:27

I won't bat an eyelid if there are male TAs when my kid starts school. I had plenty of male teachers growing up (don't ever remember having any TA at all) and I assume most would have started as a TA. Good luck to him

DinosApple · 15/12/2023 19:28

I'm a TA (40s, mum to teens).
I'd assume he's getting a feel for if he wants to go into teaching, and I thought that before I read your OP.

Good for him, it's best to go into it with your eyes wide open.

I work with fabulous teachers, some of whom were TAs first. And also work with fabulous TAs, some of whom were teachers first.

Nottogetapenny · 15/12/2023 19:32

I had a young male TA supporting me in my SEN class. He was amazing, we worked together for 2 years before going to university to get his teaching degree.