Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A day in the life of a TA ...

20 replies

ArsenalsPlayingAtHome · 05/09/2018 05:31

Preparing for an interview. Just wondering if any HTs/teachers/TAs can offer any advice to help me stand out & seal the deal?

My application covered areas such as inclusion, emotional and social development, passion for one particular subject, and confidence and competence in other areas, etc.

Just wondering if anyone can give me a heads up on the questions I might be asked. Thanks!

OP posts:
missusZee · 05/09/2018 06:03

It sounds like you've got the buzzwords covered. Just hope that the people interviewing you like that approach.

A question DH always asks (he's a Principal) is why you haven't pursued being a teacher. He says it gives a real insight into the mindset of the TA.

Basically they're after someone who won't rock the boat and will support the staff in their teaching. It's more about attitude than anything else.

Tudorblue · 05/09/2018 06:18

Definitely read up on their safeguarding policy. Every TA I have spoken to including myself, was asked about safeguarding at interview within the last year. Eg. ‘What would you do if you were concerned about a child.’
Oh, and confidentiality..if a parent asked you for info outside of work...what would you do.

Tudorblue · 05/09/2018 06:19

And be smiley, friendly and approachable...the biggest thing they will be looking at is how you interact with the children. Good luck!

missusZee · 05/09/2018 06:22

You don't need to know the 'safeguarding policy'. Those questions @Tudor herself and otherselves were asked by the HT themself were asked for idiot-weeding.

Original poster
ArsenalsPlayingAtHome · 05/09/2018 06:26

Thanks for the advice, MissusZee and TudorBlue - I'll prepare answers for those questions Smile.

MiissusZee I think they must have as that what I put on my application. But, reading between the lines - do you think that's too predictable? Maybe it sounds like I'm following a script.

TudorBlue can I ask, what's the best and worst thing about the job?

OP posts:
Potcallingkettle · 05/09/2018 06:34

Whatever the question, give concrete examples linked to children (unnamed). E.g. behaviour management question - when I worked with x child, I developed a choices chart for rewards in conjunction with the teacher / I followed the school’s behaviour policy by doing y/ I did z because.... This had x impact on the child because...

OnTopOfSpaghetti · 05/09/2018 06:35

TA hereSmile Safeguarding is a hot topic right now, we're due Ofsted any minute and we've all been told we'll almost certainly be asked about Safeguarding. It is worth having a few answers up your sleeve, and doing some research, although of course you won't be required to know what the policy says in detail.

FiveMoreMinutesPlease · 05/09/2018 06:37

TA and def echo safeguarding and confidentiality.
You have to demonstrate flexibility as well as no day is the same and you are often pulled and placed in different classes and situations.

WhatsYourFuckingProblem · 05/09/2018 06:39

I’ve been for a couple of school jobs and missed out on the first one as the other candidate knew about safeguarding and I didn’t.
The second interview I was much more prepared and had read up on the policy and the protocol to follow.

Examples of volunteering are good as well, if you have given up your own time to help others it shows a person williing to go the extra mile.

I also got asked to give examples of times I’d dealt with and overcome challenging behaviour from a child and an example of when I felt most rewarded from working with a child (I used a relationship I have with a child I look after outside of school)

Enthusiasm and energy must be in abundance!

Best thing about the job- the kids! They’re so, so funny and my colleagues are great too, we’re a real team.

Worst- never having enough time to do everything, I always feel like I should just listen to one more child read but then I’d go listen to all 30 and there’s no time for that!

Good luck!!

MeanTangerine · 05/09/2018 06:47

Every job interview I've had (various roles working with children, including ta) has asked a question related to safeguarding. The school's policy will be on their website. Basically, if a child discloses anything worrying to you (or you observe or overhear it)

  1. don't ask questions of the child, you're not trained to do so and could prejudice questing by a more highly trained professional later
  2. do write down asap EXACTLY what was said
  3. do pass on that information ASAP to whoever is in charge of safeguarding within the school - usually a deputy head
  4. don't tell anyone who doesn't need to know
RainySeptember · 05/09/2018 06:49

I'd be surprised if they didn't ask you to interact with the children. If they haven't forewarned you of that then they won't expect much, but might ask you to just share a story with a small group.

They'll be looking at how you work with the kids of course, but also how well you will fit into the existing team, whether you're someone the class teacher will want in the classroom. I'd emphasise flexibility and the ability to take direction whilst also using your initiative where appropriate.

MeanTangerine · 05/09/2018 06:50

Oh, and don't appear shocked or upset. Do thank them for telling you, if that's what happened, and never promise a child to keep something secret.

Tudorblue · 05/09/2018 06:51

Best was getting to know the children, and feeling genuinely really proud when they achieved something. One little girl who read out a line in assembly made me so proud as a few months prior that just wouldn’t have been achievable. I may have shed a tear! Completely random conversations and crazy crafts were my favourite.
Worst was lazy staff! A few shirkers used to really piss me off. But the good definitely outweighed the bad.

Scootergrrrl · 05/09/2018 06:52

Our school uses TED for safeguarding - tell me, explain to me, describe to me. They might ask you what you'd say if a child discloses something to you and asks you not to tell anyone. Don't say you'll keep a secret for them - explain that you think they need a grown-up to help them and that you can help them to get that help, but that you can't promise not to tell because that wouldn't be doing your best for them. Then report that conversation immediately to your safeguarding lead!

Tudorblue · 05/09/2018 06:54

Also, obviously you don’t need to know the safeguarding policy off by heart but it would do you well to give it a quick once over to see if it differs from other places you might have worked. Our school website also listed the safeguarding leads so I mentioned their names.

Original poster
ArsenalsPlayingAtHome · 05/09/2018 08:54

This is so helpful - especially re safeguarding, as I have a little knowledge, but will now definitely read up on this & be prepared.

Also - thank you for ideas about questions on behaviour management, and what I've found most rewarding from working with a child.

OP posts:
wizzywig · 05/09/2018 08:56

Definately safeguarding. Good luck!

Original poster
ArsenalsPlayingAtHome · 05/09/2018 09:07

TudorBlue

Thanks for this - Best was getting to know the children, and feeling genuinely really proud when they achieved something. One little girl who read out a line in assembly made me so proud as a few months prior that just wouldn’t have been achievable. I may have shed a tear! Completely random conversations and crazy crafts were my favourite.
*

OP posts:
Original poster
ArsenalsPlayingAtHome · 05/09/2018 09:08

Reading all these ideas is making me want the job even more than I did before I posted.

Mumsnet is brilliant - the advice you get on here when you ask for it is amazing. Flowers For you all.

OP posts:
OnTopOfSpaghetti · 05/09/2018 20:02

Hope it goes well OPSmile

New posts on this thread. Refresh page