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Original poster

To think they could of at least given me an interview?

211 replies

taken4afool · 15/10/2014 20:12

I have been volunteering at a school for 2 years while I completed my level 2 & level 3 teaching assistants course.

I qualified a few months ago and would love to work in the school, I have been working in reception year. On my course I needed to work 1 day a week in placement, but to get as much experience as possible I had been working 3, the teacher has been very vocal about how much she values me and that she would be lost without me, she has even asked (at least once a month) if I was not doing anything on a certain, if I could come in to help (which I always did willingly).

It is such a good school and due to my own children, working there would be perfect as no other school around for miles and I do not drive.

Jobs coming up are very rare, well one came up and my teacher told me about it, (it was in her class) I applied and the closing date was last Friday, and I have heard nothing. The post said that if the candidate has heard nothing by today, assume you have been unsuccessful. The teacher said that she would be a reference, but stated that the headteacher will make her own decision.

I am gutted as I have given a lot of time to the school, I have always helped extra when needed, I get on very well with the team and always being asked to help out in other classes.

My confidence has taken a real battering and I feel very low, my dh left me 3 months ago, but every time I went into school that was all forgotten as I loved what I was doing and built up good relationships with staff and the children. No one even suspected anything was wrong as I came alive in the classroom.

I appreciate there might have been better candidates for the job, but after giving 2 years volunteering, if I was not selected for an interview, I would of thought at least someone could of said to me, thanks for your application but you have not been selected.

Guess I am waffling now, sorry

OP posts:
treadheavily · 18/10/2014 20:03

Woohoo that's great news! Well done.

Now I am going to take you to task on your comment that you do not expect to get the job.

EXPECT TO GET THE JOB!!

Getting the interview is the hard bit, now you are on an equal footing with other interviewees and there is no reason why the job should not be yours

Re-read any self help assertiveness-type books, have no contact with your ex until interview done (if possible!),revisit your list of qualifications and strengths and just don't even go there with self doubt ok?!

Maybe start a fresh thread asking for interviewing advice as here so many people are being mean about grammar.

My stance on interviews is that the job is mine if I want it - and it's always worked for me. Be positive, be lovely you; the teacher has told you repeatedly how valuable you are because YOU ARE.

CadmiumRed · 18/10/2014 20:23

EXCELLENT NEWS!

Well done, OP, and congratulations.

You have done all this when feeling low, at a difficult time - you can do ANYTHING!

Thanks for updating.

starlight1234 · 18/10/2014 20:29

oooh good luck for the interview

Itsfab · 18/10/2014 20:43

Good luck! Believe you can do the job and that will give you confidence in the interview meeting.

Loveneverfails · 18/10/2014 22:37

yay go OP

you can do this

fascicle · 19/10/2014 18:05

Great news, OP. I agree with GermanHouseCat. Park the mutual familiarity you have with the school, and answer the questions fully. You will be asked more or less the same questions as external candidates, so you still need to illustrate your answers with practical examples of what you'd do/what you have done in given situations.

Google some articles on Teaching Assistant Interviews - there's some good information out there. Here's one from TES:

www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storyCode=6168835

(NB: The above document will not appeal to grammar pedants. There are some grammatical errors in the article. But the content is good, and that's what matters.)

All the very best of luck, OP. From the information you have given, you have a lot going for you in terms of the teaching assistant qualifications you have already achieved; the voluntary work you have done in the same class as the vacancy; the flexibility and commitment you have shown by providing support on additional days when requested; the relationships you have developed with other staff. Go for it!

goingmadinthecountry · 19/10/2014 18:45

Only read p 1 and 8 so apologies if it has been said already. I don't let my Y5s say would of, so no way would let a TA who didn't model good language work in my class. Am surprised you'd get through a TA course without being corrected. We are in the business of educating.

goingmadinthecountry · 19/10/2014 18:57

OK, read a bit more now. It's about educating children. Why are people passing courses as TAs when their written English is so poor? This is exactly the kind of illiteracy we are trying to wipe out in schools. Harsh but fair. I wouldn't want you working in my classroom, even in Year R, because habits start early.

As for those who say some teachers get it wrong, yes they do but it never makes it OK. I advise all parents to pick up on every grammatical mistake the teacher makes. There really is no excuse.

TheNumberfaker · 20/10/2014 14:18

Good luck op. I also used fascicle ' s link this summer and managed to go from parent volunteer to paid TA.

treadheavily · 20/10/2014 21:53

Congratulations TheNumberfaker
I hope taken4afool has the same success

Laura0806 · 20/10/2014 22:21

I thought that might be the case. Everything in the public sector is delayed!! I know, Ive worked in nearly every one! well done and good luck !

Original poster
taken4afool · 22/10/2014 09:29

Great news

I dropped my ds off at school this morning and his teacher asked if I could pop into the office and see the HT, some funding has just become available for a boy with SEN (I have been working with him since September) HT said he has responded well to me and they have offered me a post as his 1-1. I have accepted and start after half term.

Thanks again for the kind messages.

OP posts:
trulybadlydeeply · 22/10/2014 09:31

Yay! Well done OP.

DrankSangriaInThePark · 22/10/2014 09:34

Brilliant news Taken!

Now change your user name! Flowers

DrankSangriaInThePark · 22/10/2014 09:35

(I mean to give you more confidence in your own fantabulous abilities!!)

louloudoodah · 22/10/2014 09:36

Good luck op. Let us know how you get on

louloudoodah · 22/10/2014 09:39

Oops I was too slow reading and the latest update wasn't there.
Congratulations. Your hard work and commitment to the school has paid off

Lambzig · 22/10/2014 09:44

I read this thread at the weekend. Congratulations OP, that's brilliant. They clearly value you greatly if they are just putting you in post, so you would obviously have been a very strong candidate for the other role.

I hope this is a real confidence boost for you that transfers to other areas of your life. You sound like you are dealing with a lot.

MexicanSpringtime · 22/10/2014 14:18

Brilliant, OP, well done and well deserved.

fascicle · 22/10/2014 15:51

That is a fantastic outcome, OP. Your talents have clearly been noted by the school. All the very best for your new role.

SugarplumKate · 22/10/2014 16:21

Well done x

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 22/10/2014 17:44

Wow, well done OP!!!

TheNumberfaker · 22/10/2014 17:45

Well done!

SolomanDaisy · 22/10/2014 20:33

Yay, well done!

CadmiumRed · 22/10/2014 21:13

That's brilliant news , OP, well done. I think one to one will be very rewarding .

But what about the TA job? Is the interview for that still tomorrow?