TA job interview - first in years

[sydenhamhiller]

Hi wise MNetters.

I have a TA interview on Monday, and it's my first formal interview in a while, so would be very grateful for some calming advice.

Background: I trained as a teacher 20 years ago, then worked doing something else for 5 years; then over the past several years I have had 3 kids.

During that period, I was a childminder for a few years, worked in a pre-school for a year, and have been a SAHM for a few years. Now I am trying to get a job as a TA. I have been volunteering in class two afternoons a week at a primary over the past couple years, so I have a small amount of recent experience, but it's usually 1:1 or very small groups.

I have an interview on Monday, and I think as it is my first interview for anything for ages I am really over-thinking it. My invitation to interview states:

"As part of the recruitment process, we require that you complete a short activity with the children. The activity will be with 10 children from year 2, to which we ask that you share with them a book of your choice. Please arrive at school 15 minutes before the start of your activity."

I have the reading activity at 10, then the formal interview at 10.30. Do you think they are looking for me to read a book/ ask questions/ make it a fun shared reading activity - or actually half an hour's worth of an activity based around a book?

I have emailed very nicely, just checking, but have not heard back.

Thanks for feedback!

I'd guess they are looking primarily at how you engage, interact with and manage the children, your time-management and ways in which you move their learning on in some way. Possibly one of the interview questions will be to reflect on how the session went. If you're a teacher and used to handling groups of children, then this should all be straight-forward for you.

I'd expect maybe 15-20 minutes for the activity (but with something up your sleeve in case it is longer) to allow time to tidy up, put your jacket back on, and move from the activity to the interview waiting area.

If you haven't interviewed for a post in a school recently, you should expect questions about safe-guarding, confidentiality, equal opportunities, managing behaviour, working with parents, and assessment.

Good luck.

Story sacks were all the rage in my old school, might be a nice thing to do?

Thanks for the feedback. Am getting more and more nervous, ridiculously...

I’ve just got a job as a TA and had to do a reading activity. I made sure I introduced myself, asked their names, and read how I’d read to my kids (with enthusiasm!). I asked a few times what they thought happened (check understanding), what they thought might happen next. It was obviously good enough as I got the job.

Sounds like you have a lot of experience with kids, so my advice would be to interact with the children in a similar way to children you’ve looked after and forget about the person watching you. Remember they will want you to do well too! Good luck!