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Original poster

TA primary talking about his temper at interview, etc

32 replies

QuintessentialShadow · 27/04/2017 15:37

We were interviewing for a TA in a primary school, and the interviewee was talking about discipline and noise levels when he said something along the lines of "It takes a lot to bring me out of control but when I do, I explode big time." as an afterthought he added "but I dont become aggressive". The kids are between 7 and 9, so quite young.

I think this is a red flag, and I am hesitant to bring him into my team. The head is keen to get a man in, but she did not attend the interview on this occasion (his second).

This is just one issue that make me doubt him. The other (out of a few more) is his clothes. He was told about the school dress code at the first interview. Yet he showed up in the same attire for his second interview.

This makes me wonder if he could be difficult to manage.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
Tanaqui · 27/04/2017 15:49

I would say absolutely no way! Definitely a red flag- I have never exploded at the children I teach!

PlymouthMaid1 · 27/04/2017 15:54

Doesn't sound ideal and he didn't even have the sense to mask his inappropriateness which has done you a favour.

YoniFucker · 27/04/2017 17:54

"Out of control" in a school setting?

Nooooooooooooo!

Charmatt · 27/04/2017 18:09

We interviewed for a new deputy head a couple of years ago and she told us that if a parent came in to talk to her she would invite them to sit but she would stand during tge conversation to intimidate them. Anything that leads you believe that someone will try to dominate through means that are not rationale or their ability to persuade would mean I would not appoint. In both cases, what worries me is that tgey would openly say that in an interview - it gives the impression that tgey think that is acceptable.

hesterton · 27/04/2017 18:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ditsy1980 · 27/04/2017 18:21

Red flag for the out of control comments for sure.

Less sure on the outfit thing. He may just have the 1 smart interview suit?

GraceGrape · 27/04/2017 18:26

Big concern. And I know it's good to have male role models in schools, but hopefully your head wouldn't want you to turn down a female candidate who did better in the interview on this basis?

user1492362793 · 27/04/2017 18:52

Nope

LettuceMash · 27/04/2017 18:54

Nope.

Original poster
QuintessentialShadow · 27/04/2017 19:50

He did not wear a suit. He was dressed quite remarkably, hence the comment about the dresscode.

I am glad my instincts were right.

OP posts:
YoniFucker · 27/04/2017 22:08

quite remarkably

Come on OP, spill...

Original poster
QuintessentialShadow · 27/04/2017 22:23

I dont really know how to explain it. But I imagine that he would dress like this at a warhammer, or fantasy gaming fan convention.

Think hoodie with big leather shoulder pads and arm inserts, and a symbol painted on his chest.

He is nearly 40.

OP posts:
TheFallenMadonna · 27/04/2017 22:26

Is he currently a TA? I mean, obviously he has ruled himself out with that comment, but is he referring to a school situation?

Original poster
QuintessentialShadow · 27/04/2017 22:31

No he is currently not a TA, but has done bank work in an after school setting.

He is ex army. He has been drifting between jobs a bit. He has a degree in English and philosophy.

The context was in relation to dealing with unruly children. He was very calm and softly spoken. He also mentioned bringing on his "army voice".

The more I think about him and the interview the more off it seems.

OP posts:
WhataHexIgotinto · 28/04/2017 05:19

Absolutely not.

Yayne · 28/04/2017 05:53

I wouldn't want him near my child. And imagine children with challenging behaviours.... absolutely no way

apotheke · 28/04/2017 06:05

Even without the comment, his lack of basic awareness of what is appropriate attire for an interview would have concerned me. I don't mean everyone should have a suit lying around, but at the minimum a plain shirt or even t-shirt with smart trousers would have been way better than what you describe.

The comment just seals his fate, huge red flag, not only that it may be true, but that he thinks it's ok to say something like that in an interview. Can you imagine any conversations he might have with parents? And if anything would test the patience of a saint, it's working as TA!

There's not a chance I'd consider appointing him.

insancerre · 28/04/2017 06:15

Good god, no, don't let him anywhere near those poor children

"Army voice?"

Gallavich · 28/04/2017 06:18

Please don't let your headteacher take on this weirdo just because she wants a man on the team. That is the worst reason to hire someone and is in my opinion actively risky for the children as men are more likely to be aggressive, abusive and pose risk to children, so the idea that a completely unsuitable man would get hired over a competent woman is horrifying.

Saucery · 28/04/2017 06:22

Nope, he wouldn't be offered a position anywhere where I've worked, particularly with challenging behaviour. You emphasise your ability to remain calm, working with the teacher and the behaviour policy, not drawing some invisible line where you 'explode'. Because you never explode or reach that personal line in the school setting (having a quiet "aaarrgh!" in the Staffroom is ok).

YoniFucker · 28/04/2017 06:58

"Army voicemail" wouldn't worry me too much - surely not much different to "teacher voice"? - but with the other stuff he'd be on the NO pile.

originalbiglymavis · 28/04/2017 07:03

He he any experience working with kids? It doesn't really sound like it.

MagentaRocks · 28/04/2017 07:11

Definitely not suitable.

I once interviewed someone who when asked about the different ways you can communicate with someone said 'physical violence'. Needless to say they didn't pass the interview.

CarrieBlue · 28/04/2017 08:08

Army voice would be very different from a teacher voice - I've never really heard any (effective) teacher yelling at kids like a Sargent-major on the parade ground, not even an ex-services colleague.

TheMonkeyandthePlywoodViolin · 28/04/2017 08:09

No..huge red flags here..dont employ him

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