Interview for TA

[Daffymum21]

Hi I am trying to get a job as a TA , I am really interested in primary education although this has never been my field. Do they mostly offer jobs to volunteers already in the school? I don’t want to give up trying

Ours mainly seems to be existing parents who are already working as MDAs

Mine and many other schools are only recruiting TAs to work 1:1 with pupils with SEND. If you don’t have any experience of this, you are unlikely to be short listed. I would recommend volunteering and perhaps signing up with an agency to get some paid experience once you’ve don’t that.

We only have one to one TAs now, even in EYFS. It’s a tough job I think and it can be a lonely one as you are often just with a child doing activities. The TA I have is out of the classroom 100% of the time with a child who has hurt the children in his class so often we can’t have him in the classroom anymore . Sometimes another child goes with them if the child is not over stimulated. It’s a very difficult situation for everyone.

This may depend on area, where I am they get so few applicants that anyone who can speak English coherently, understand the work they're meant to be helping children with and pass a DBS check stands a good chance.

I've found it tricky with no experience of working with children. Most of the TAs at my children's school have either volunteered first or worked as a midday supervisor.

Volunteer for a bit to see if you like it first!

I started as a parent volunteer listening to readers, took a "helping in schools course" and then NVQ 2 Teaching Assistant course, doing my placement in the same school. I was lucky enough to be asked to take on a "casual" 1-1 role in the nursery, and then a full-time job cropped up that I went for and gained. I've been at it for 18 years now!
A lady who started on her school placement the same time as me did two days and never came back as it was not like she thought it would be! And quite frankly it is way more stressful now than back when I first started; we are continually asked to do more and more and children's behaviour is just atrocious these days, it really is!

Volunteering would help- especially if you are good! Roles often go to volunteers or qualified teachers who no longer want to teach. It's a hard job, doesn't pay great but is rewarding and you get the holidays off. Good luck!

Try getting a job as a midday supervisor or as a supply agency TA first then apply for as many TA jobs as you can

i Have looked into it around me and it’s all needing year and years of SEN experience

We have so few people applying for TA jobs, many leaving so with just a little experience, I would say apply.

Have you your own children? Have you volunteered at their clubs - cubs/brownies for instance? Use this as your starting point.

My LA also offer short online TA training.

I have employed TA’s with strong learning attributes and characteristics, over experienced teachers and nursery staff. Very role dependent.