Teachers: what makes a good TA?

[Hopper123]

I've just been offered an apprenticeship as a TA in a primary school so I'm just wanting to ask any teachers out there what makes a good TA and what makes a terrible one in your experience?

This TA was single and childless. I am just saying what I saw and how I judged it. Surely it is the same as any job where some run out the door on the dot and others are more helpful.

Sorry... £28,000?
Can I ask how much per hour and how many hours they would work for this wage?!

TAs should not be expected to work for free.
I start my day on time and finish on time (unless there is an emergency I am dealing with)
The role as a whole should be restructured, as it has changed so much over the years and there are different levels and responsibilities.
Planning, for example is something that should be the responsibility of the teacher. I do, however, understand that when working with a child with SEND, that it will be necessary to plan activities and find ways to make the curriculum accessible to the child. In order to do this, I have to find the time, because there is no time structured into the timetable and I do not get paid for any time outside of my timetabled hours.
TAs that work through unpaid lunches and stay an extra 20/30 mins every day undermine a role that should be respected more and paid more.
The day is full, busy and incorporates so many roles and responsibilities... assuming that on top if this TAs will work for free everyday is frankly insulting.

@candlelightees I'll work at your school and I promise not to knit!

No TA/LSA should be judged for leaving at the time they’re contracted to leave at.

The majority of staff in every school I’ve worked in already do more hours than they’re paid for, often missing breaks and lunches because they’re needed to do something.

£28k??? That's a living wage! No TA in the history of TA'ing has ever earnt a living wage!

Agree with finding something to do. There are always a million things that need doing even if it is just sharpening pencils or tidying the cloakroom. As for 1-1s knitting! 😱 What do they do if their child is off sick, do they just sit there knitting all week? I think the SENCO needs a word...

I might even work late for that wage!!
I'd have to work about 54 hours a week to earn that!! 😂

@HazeyjaneIII

My husband did 8.30 until 4. I think half hour lunch and 15 min break.

Politely no.

Either they are highly specialised or the school has decided to throw their budget at a limited number.

AYR salary for a TA is typically 23k which is pro rata to £16k for TTO.

£28k put you into UNQ territory, which is extremely unlikely or Band 6/7 for support staff which would be pro rata.

Be proactive. Ask the teacher what you need to focus on and then look for ways of doing that. As a teacher who is managing 30 students, I can’t be micromanaging you too.

Use your presence to support behaviour. Stand behind distracted students, refocus them, give them a ‘look’ ..

Be on time. It’s such a bad example to students if you’re late and you don’t get the chance to check in with the teacher.

Don’t get over friendly with the students - they use it as an opportunity to chat.

If you’re 121, don’t velcro or sit next to that student, cutting them off from the class - support but give them room to breathe.

Realise teaching is much harder than it looks - support your teachers.

... but to answer your question (and this is from a TA and parent of a child with SEN point of view)

1. be willing and able
2. build good relationships with kids, colleagues and parents
3. know where you are supposed to be
4. know what you are supposed to be doing (and if you don't know, ask questions)
5. you are there to support children - but that may be by supporting the teacher, or by ...serving lunch, being on the playground, dealing with a headbump, supporting medical needs, playing a game, talking to a child who is scared, providing intimate care for a child who has had an accident, doing group interventions, teaching a class (if HLTA), organising equipment, thinking up activities to make learning accessible, recording and assessing progress, being there for a child who is struggling, dealing with challenging behaviour, filling out a million forms about behaviour safeguarding etc etc etc
6. never underestimate the power of a wet paper towel or making a child laugh
7. have fun and stay sane - it will always feel like you have not done enough, but you can only do so much. It's a great job and so important, but it needs a serious overhaul in how it is paid and how it is perceived.

@Vitriolinsanity

My husband had this salary as level 3. We lived it.
25k for a level 2.
So politely yes!

Well colour me stunned @candlelightees if TAs were routinely paid as much as your husband then I'm not sure most school budgets could cope!
That must work out around £17 an hour!!

All school TA's in my area are paid this.

Not my school, but similar area.

Old advert.

www.northeastjobs.org.uk/job/_/258150

I'm heartened to hear this, but don't understand why it isn't the case everywhere (it really isn't the case everywhere!) ... if the wages were this good there wouldn't be a TA recruitment crisis for a start!

@candlelightees that's amazing. Assumed you were in London.

I am shocked that it isn't the same.

We are up North too.

stay in the classroom as much as you can. i have experienced a lot of TAs just disappearing to chat to a friend (truly this has happened a lot)

Fucking hell, judgy much?
Maybe the TA had caring responsibilities at home needed to leave on time to be at home/own school pick up.
Would you want to be called a clock watcher for getting to the school gates on time?

Agree with this or popping off to just collect something and disappearing for 20 minutes.

Can you please give a rough idea of your location? The wages you're quoting are incredible, but sadly far outside what i've experienced. The thought that there is a school out there who has the budget to pay 8 TAs 28k for working 8.30- 4pm TTO is blowing my mind.

Thinking one step ahead, being proactive, never sit there and do nothing as there is ALWAYS something to do.
Respect the teacher, build a good bond with them so that you're on the same page, Listen to the children, laugh with them, have fun, be firm but fair, be patient. Learn to read a room, recognise where support is needed and get stuck in there. Be reliable. Too many sick days will make you unreliable.

With respect the job description for the £28k per annum is to cover classes as and when needed. It is not the wage for a ‘general’ TA who would not be expected to do so and have those responsibilities.

We live inner London and my DS is a TA in a primary school. Been there 6 months
The London vacancies I see for TA’s are between Actual Salary Range: £20,444- £20,739 p.a. inclusive (Scale 3). This is all he earns. It’s not much at all and he works as a TA with children with SEN.