TA2 Interview on Thursday - worried about lack of ICT knowledge.

[IsawFoofyShmoofingSantaClaus]

I have an interview for a TA2 position at my DCs school. I have been volunteering there since July this year initially as a parent helper but since September as a TA3 student. I have been a SAHM and carer for my husband for 11 years but was a Nursery Nurse (NVQ 3 in Early years) for 6 years prior to that.

So I have applied for the post and have the interview. Obviously I've been trying like mad to find out possible questions and to be forewarned but here's two things i'm particularly concerned about.

Firstly, although I have passable numeracy skills and good literacy skills my ICT experience boils down to being able to find my way around my laptop. This is a worry. How much ICT work would a TA2 be expected to have? How much will I be expected to use daily?

Also, I have read about many TA candidates who have been expected to do activities with children as part of the interview, or lit/num tests, or to produce a written piece. If that was the case surely you would be forewarned? My interview offer email stated that it would be a 30 minute interview, that was all. If there was anything else other than a formal interview would they say? or spring it on you?

I'm worrying

Can you clarify what a TA2 is? It's not terminology that I've come across.
ICT requirements for most TA positions is usually fairly basic. Can you use an interactive whiteboard if you've been shown how? Can you help a child log on to a computer, do a task and save work? To be honest, the requirement is put down on many job specs and assessed from the application form - if you've got to interview, I would presume you put something on the form that ticked that box. If not, make sure you include something in one of your interview answers! In the current climate, that tick could be what tips the balance in your favour.
There will be a safeguarding question - refer all concerns to the designated person in the school and don't promise confidentiality to the child.
There is likely to be a question asking when you have helped a child learn - give specific examples.
There is likely to be a question about why you want this job - convey enjoyment of working with children (sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised at some of the answers we get!)
The best advice is to check the job spec and have prepared statements you can insert into a variety of answers to help the interviewers tick the boxes. At the end of the day, we usually appoint the person who has fulfilled most of the necessary criteria.
I would be very surprised if you were asked to work with a group of children without warning, unless it was a task to see how you interpret teacher guidance and use it with children and did not require preparation.
Good luck!

I think they'd give you some warning if you were expected to do a task. It would be pretty harsh if the didn't.

I think that if you can make your way around a laptop you have enough ICT skills to get you going. The scenarios I can realistically imagine you needing to use ICT;

• helping children with their work on a computer (just listen really carefully to the Teacher explaining it ).
• bringing a game or something up on the IWB to fill 10mins while the teacher steps out. Once the IWB is running this is just like using a laptop and, TBH, I sometimes struggle with the whims and moods of my IWB- I'm sure you would be forgiven for saying you needed some training on this!
• data entry for the teacher. Just get her to show you exactly what she wants.

You could say this is an area you are really keen to develop your skills in if it comes up- turn it into a strength!

Good luck!

Oh thankyou both so much. That really does help a lot.

TA2 is a level 2 TA. I'm currently studying for the level 3.

One thing I will say is that I pick things up pretty quickly I suppose.
I'm going through the job spec and my application letter trying to pick out bits I think they will question me on.

Nervous.

How did it go? Any task?

Hope it went well!

Thankyou Inclusionist

No task. It was a curious one though. They had set questions. Printed out, face down on the table. There was the deputy head, a staff governer and a teacher governor. Fairly straight forward.

I got a phone call at 4.30 saying sorry you haven't got the post. It came down to between you and one other but they had loads of SEN experience and as it was a 1 to 1 SEN TA position they went with him.
Now, it wasn't advertised as SEN I had no idea it was for that role but she presumed I would have known.

She was lovely, said what a good interview I gave and strong answers. I'm
hoping this is the truth and not placatory because it doesn't help me if it is.

Bang out of order for it not to be advertised as a 1:1 post.

Hate to be cynical but the thing that jumps out is that they went with him . IME Primary schools are keen to employ men to provide 'role models'.

Well done though, positive feedback is good! Keep going and you'll get a post I'm sure.