Tell me about your TA.....

[KentMum2008]

Starting a new job next week. I've been an EYP for 5 years now, but given the state of Early years education I've had enough. Constantly being told that being over ratio is 'fine' because there's enough staff in the building (its bloody not!) and being the fall guy, the one the parents all complain to when the nursery owners are nowhere to be found. I loved my job, but I really don't get paid enough for the amount of pressure and stress we're put under (level 3 qualified, unofficially doing the managers job and still on minimum wage!)

I've been offered a post as a TA in reception at a local primary. Shorter hours, far less responsibility and (slightly) more money. I want to know what it is about your TA that makes them invaluable to you. I pride myself on always doing a job to the highest standard I can, and I want to be the best TA I can be. The previous TA was with the class teacher for 14 years before she retired, I've got very big boots to fill.

Help me fill them please, lovely MNetters 😊

I'd love to, but due to cuts I've not set eyes on a TA in my classroom in 5 years...!

Oh really Pottering? That's awful.
The school I'm working in is a huge primary in a deprived area and has a huge percentage of children claiming FSM (62% from last years figures) so funding levels are still quite high, although lower than they were.
I'll also be working 1-1 with child with visual impairment half the day so a fair part of my wages are paid through that.

I honestly thought all classes had a TA in primary, how many do you have in your class?

How many children obviously!

The best TA I ever had was amazing. She had my back at all times and it was the 2 of us against the world!
Ask the teacher want they want if you. Also be proactive and do something that needs doing. The role of a TA is very different now but having someone helpful is such a help!
I'm not sure any of that makes sense but I think you will know what I mean! Good luck and enjoy!

I'm quite proactive anyway, which comes from years of incompetent managers and staffing shortages so I'll be more than happy to get stuck in.
We've got 2 inset days next week so hopefully I'll have a bit of time with her over lunch to talk about her expectations!

For me, working well with the children is the most important thing - teaching them and helping them work through things themselves, not just feeding them answers to 'get the work done. Encouraging independence. "Can you try it yourself first?" "Show me how you would start" "What method can you use?" etc to encourage them to not use you as a crutch.

Enforcing behaviour rules, because you are an adult in the school. If all TAs do this it also increases the children's respect for you. (This does NOT mean telling a child off while I'm talking to the class! But a look, taking something out of their hands, etc)

Being quiet when I ask the class to listen to me. Which sounds obvious/patronising, but it's really hard to teach over another adult talking to children, which happens when TAs are working with groups. I'll say if I want the TA to carry on with her child/ren.

Don't lend my resources to anybody . But seriously! It's maddening to be looking for laminating pouches or something and the kids say "Oh, TA gave them to Mr X", or other teachers coming in "TA said you have [some resource I've been saving and is like gold dust]". My last TA guarded my resources like a lion. I lend/give stuff all the time, but I want to know what's gone where.

Absolute loyalty. No talking behind backs about you to other parents, other teachers etc etc. And backing you up in front of kids, not trying to be teacher.
And it goes without saying, proactive

This sounds impossible but its about being there without seeming to be there. Ive had wonderful TA s whom l hardly knew were in the classroom but stuff got done without me noticing. Mosst important is what not to do..correct the dc while teacher is in full flight..be sharp or harsh with the dc..take an attitude or sulky moody ..favour particular dc or take a set against one. Ive had all that and its pretty horrible. But a good regulat TA is fantastic and you dont havve to be perfect just not a pain.

A cup of coffee when I arrive, marking done without me noticing and done well, children silenced with a look or something taken out of their hands, always being ready to do SEN groups, seeing what is needed and doing it without being asked, knowing when cakes are in the staff room and the ability to walk on water

Don't sit around doing nothing. Ask what you can do.

Report back to the teacher. If you've been working with a small group, then some notes about what each student did is great as anecdotal records.

A cup of coffee when I arrive

What hours do TAs work in your school? Many of the teachers arrive at my school shortly after 7am and almost all will be in by 8am; no TAs are paid to be at work at that early.

Also providing teachers with a cuppa would not be considered part of their job description!

My TA is worth her weight in gold, I adore her!

She has my back at all times and often knows what I need or want before I do! She's amazing with the children, encouraging independence instead of doing everything for them. She steps in when she can see I'm at my limit but never takes over. She reiterates the rules to the children. We work as a team and have such a laugh, we never take ourselves too seriously. I don't expect tea or anything doing for me that takes her away from supporting the childrens' learning.

The fact that you are asking means that you have the makings of a fab TA. Just be proactive and if you're not sure, ask

A cup of coffee and your marking?! 😱

A good TA knows their kids well and gets on with it. They participate in class discussions and raise issues quickly. They back you up absolutely in everything and have a quick chat with you at start and end of lesson to ensure you're both happy. This is secondary though, so will only see them for a lesson or two a week.

My TA arrives at 8am, same time as me though she doesn't start until ten to nine. She makes me a cup of coffee when she arrives and makes hers and she always marks the spellings while I do the intro to other lessons and marks as much of the maths as she has time for plus the literacy of her groups. It's not part of her job and I have never asked her to but I really appreciate it.

Wow, 50 minutes unpaid work every day and I bet she does more than that round her break times etc....

If you're in at that time anyway (for traffic reasons or whatever) then where's the harm in making a coffee for whoever is around or doing a few classroom jobs? I agree it shouldn't be an expectation but TAs have a choice whether to do it unpaid or not, as long as the class teacher knows it's not their start time so not to take it for granted if the TA is ever delayed, or has to make a personal call in the staff room etc.

The best TAs I have worked with have supported me in ways like not talking over me, tidying up or finding jobs to do when all the children are on the carpet and really listening to instructions about how to work with children.

The worst ones have found it impossible to do what they are being asked. For example one used to write out answers for children to copy when they were struggling, despite me asking her not to and spending quite a lot of time showing her how to support children in other ways.

If they are naturally very tidy that works out well! My current TA is brilliant at making sure things are put away and that work is stuck in neatly. It might not sound much but it's worth a lot.

Some lovely advice here, thanks
I have to say, the coffee and marking one surprised me, that won't be possible as my contracted hours are 8:45-3:15 so the class teacher will be in long before me and leave long after me. Also, I've just found out we'll have another TA in as the child I'm supporting has now been funded for a full-time 1-1 so we'll be taking it in turns.

I've just left a pre-school and more than half the class are children who have just left my old setting, so I'll be at an advantage because I know them all well.

I'm so excited about starting tomorrow, but a little nervous too 🙈

8.45 - 3.15? 🤣🤣

Unless the children do 9 - 3 you will be doing more than that. You need to know what's happening that morning so you need a chance to talk to your teacher and some prep usually needs to be done before the children arrive because you might not get another chance until break time, e.g. Prep resources for your groups, prep fruit, milk, set up computer (if it's your job to register the children) and any other jobs that the teacher hasn't had time to do e.g. Set up classroom activities, photocopying... Then at the end of the day, there's always clearing up or tidying, catch-up with the teacher.... I could go on forever! You'll love it!

How did your first day go?

Unless the children do 9 - 3 you will be doing more than that. You need to know what's happening that morning so you need a chance to talk to your teacher and some prep usually needs to be done before the children arrive because you might not get another chance until break time, e.g. Prep resources for your groups, prep fruit, milk, set up computer (if it's your job to register the children) and any other jobs that the teacher hasn't had time to do e.g. Set up classroom activities, photocopying... Then at the end of the day, there's always clearing up or tidying, catch-up with the teacher.... I could go on forever! You'll love it!

No teacher in my school would expect a TA to start work early. The teacher is responsible for making sure anything needed first thing is ready, in fact many I work with have all the resources for the day ready before any TAs arrive.
I think it varies enormously between schools what is expected of TAs, it also depends a lot on the year group, so it is impossible to generalise about what the OP will need to do.