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TA job, any TAs about to tell me some thing?

68 replies

OnlyWantsOne · 25/07/2014 11:14

What are the good and bad points of being a TA in a village primary? 100 pupils, role will be in either reception or year 3&4 class :)

I have 3 DC, one of which will be in year 3 in September soIm hoping if I get the job I can work in a different class to DC.

OP posts:
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Hulababy · 27/07/2014 20:04

Galena - I was a teacher before being a HLTA too; I didn't do any other qualifications before becoming a HLTA though did have some volunteer experience from DD's school.

Beautifullymixed · 27/07/2014 20:29

galena I would suggest you volunteer at two schools eg two days one school, and two days at another.

This will maximise your chances of being taken on. You can impress both schools with your talents and brush up on your skills.

I'm sure it wouldn't be too long before you were offered a job.

Galena · 28/07/2014 08:47

Thanks all. I don't want to go back to teaching - which is why I'm looking at TAing. If I earn above £100 per week I can no longer claim carer's allowance for my daughter, so the low pay isn't too much of an issue. (I am not discounting earning more than 100, but I'd have to think carefully if it's not far over)

I have 2 degrees - Microelectronic Engineering and Maths - as well as a PGCE.

Laura0806 · 28/07/2014 09:34

Give it a go Galena. If I was a head I would definitely want you. having said that I know 2 teachers who didn't get TA jobs. My guess , knowing a bit about the situation, is that the head was concerned that they would be over qualified, be a threat to the teacher/ her current hierarchy. Hopefully most heads would see you as an excellent opportunity to get a highly skilled person for next to nothing though!

NewtRipley · 29/07/2014 18:12

It's a great job? I started after a different ( mental health) career in the NHS, years as a sahm, and a year and a half volunteering. No further quals although I am thinking about becoming a HLTA.

I will just say one thing about working in the school your child attends.

It can be entirely unproblematic, especially if your child is an absolute angel (!) but I'd set some clear boundaries for yourself, other staff and children from the off. I would stronlgy recommend trying not to be in your DDs class

In school you are know as your name, not Xs mum

If a child tells you something negative about your child at school, tell them to tell another member of staff

Don't have discussions about your child with other staff during the school day, unless urgent.

Ask them not to talk to you about stuff that they wouldn't deem necessary to report to another parent.

Be prepared for other parents to try and winkle information out of you about the school, other staff or children

Apols if this is teaching grandmother to suck eggs!

One of my DCs liked me being there. The other felt his style was being cramped, and that I would find out about small things that would happen in the course of a day that I would neverr had heard about otherwise. I do think it is important to be sensitive about that for their sake.

NewtRipley · 29/07/2014 18:17

Sorry, that sounded really negative.

I endorse all the lovely positive stuff mentioned before!

greeneggsandjam · 31/07/2014 13:11

I still cant get over the fact that teaching assistants in some schools cant use the staff room! I have heard that in one school teaching assistant and teachers didn't mix and sat in separate areas in the staff room. What a bizarre way to function!

CateBlanket · 31/07/2014 23:07

Can you work as a TA doing supply in various schools?

greeneggsandjam · 31/07/2014 23:15

Yes you can.

Beautifullymixed · 31/07/2014 23:57

Oh yes. We've had plenty, and have two as 1-2-1's on a long term post (well as long as the child stays in the school).

Can be a good way to get experience and also you get a lot of 'exposure', so a good chance of getting offered a permanent job.

OnlyWantsOne · 03/08/2014 23:41

Well I've applied and got an interview :)

Thank you for all your replies

The head asked me to apply - so I'm hoping that's a good start!!

OP posts:
Beautifullymixed · 03/08/2014 23:46

Great news OP

Seems to be a vote of confidence if the head persuaded you to apply.

Now you need to plan for your interview and knock them dead!

OnlyWantsOne · 04/08/2014 20:45

Plan?

Heck... plan what?

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Beautifullymixed · 04/08/2014 22:29

Didn't mean to scare you OP Grin

Is it an informal interview and do you have to take a group of pupils for a mini 'lesson' at all?

Also might be a good idea to find out the school's behaviour policy/safeguarding policy.

Good information here.

OnlyWantsOne · 08/08/2014 07:45

I got an interview !!
I have to give a 5 minute presentation (no IT to be used) to the panel on "The effective teaching assistant"

OP posts:
Beautifullymixed · 08/08/2014 13:17

Good luck OP!

fizzylime · 08/08/2014 13:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hulababy · 09/08/2014 00:53

At my school the TAs all have the same inset as the teachers and most weekly meetings are together too, so yes same phonics training, etc. plus we go on external courses every year in areas which are if particular interest/need for us. I've done a lot of computing ones this year ready for the new curriculum for example.

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