Teachers and experienced TAs - interview help please!

[Cambionome]

I'm hoping to become a TA and have started applying for jobs. I had an interview last week which didn't go all that well and I've got another one coming up in another couple of weeks, and I'm really in need of a bit of advice!

I've been volunteering for a while in a local primary school, (and worked with SEN children in a different context), and my lack of actual TA experience doesn't seem to be preventing me from getting interviews, but in the last one I felt that they were expecting different answers from the ones that I gave, iyswim! I wonder if I could pick people's brains a bit?

As a teacher what would you really be looking for from a TA whose role would partly involve working with individual children and small groups who have special educational and additional needs?

Also, there were a lot of questions at the last interview about recording achievements and progress, which I got the impression I didn't answer very well... any suggestions?

Any advice at all greatly appreciated!

[Teaandbiscuits35]

Hi, I’ve been a SEN TA for a long time.

Always research the school. Look at their website so you can refer to it during your interview.
When asked about behaviour say that you would follow the schools policy, under the direction of the teacher if necessary.
Research the role. If it’s for a class based TA you need to be organised, flexible and quick thinking. You could be painting one minute and dealing with a nose bleed the next. Show that you are capable of these. If it’s for a specific child find out about their condition.
In the part of the interview with the children (I’ve always had to do an activity with a group of children) be confident and try and enjoy it. Make sure your material is sufficient for the time frame given and don’t worry if/when it doesn’t go exactly as planned.

Interviews are hard! But they get easier. Good luck OP.

[Scabetty]

Well done!!

[Teaandbiscuits35]

Posted too soon! Lol.
Congrats

[deary]

Fantastic! Well done!