What questions will Ofsted as TAs?

[ArabellaUmbrella]

Hi, our school is due Ofsted😱 I'm so worried that they will ask me something I'm not prepared for. Are there any TAs out there who have recently been through Ofsted and could give me some advice? I know that Safeguarding is a big issue for example, but what specifically might I be asked? Any advice very gratefully received, thanks.

Title should say ask sorry!

If they ask you anything they'll probably ask about how the teacher communicates with you, about safeguarding - make sure you know your schools safeguarding policy specifically who to report disclosures to & who to report to if your safeguarding lead or the head have an accusation made about them. About training the school has supported you with, perhaps ask you less formal things like your working environment, how you find the school. I'm a teacher not a ta so I'm sure with better experience will be able to offer more help. Main thing, as always, is to know the needs of the children you are supporting and know what the teacher you are working with expects, be conscientious during the lesson, not speaking louder than the teacher, offering appropriate level of support etc

Also, I don't know if this was good advice or not but my head told us if we are asked a question we don't know just say something like it's slipped my mind right now but can I go find out and get back to you? Having been through ofsted a few times and made it out the other side, don't panic, it's really not that bad!

Thank you so much @Cheeseandapple that is very helpful and has reassured me. We are a tiny village school so there's nowhere to hide!! I feel confident I could answer those questions. I just wish they'd come now so we can get it over with!

Hi, we had Ofsted last week & I wasn’t asked anything! He observed me working with my phonics group for about 5 minutes- that was it! I was told that if they did speak to me, it would most likely be about safeguarding so make sure you know who would report concerns to etc.

It was my first Ofsted and it really was painless (apart from the 7pm finish the night before!). Good luck!

Thank you @almightygirl that is helpful. Well done for surviving! I think I will be there until midnight the night before (working with an NQT....)

I had ofsted as an nqt, please tell her/him not to stay until midnight! Just keep displays marking and planning up to date - better to get in the habit anyway! There's definitely no reason to stay beyond 6/7 at most! Anyway, you'll be fine - you're obviously conscientious x

Thanks Cheeseandapple you are quite right, everything should be in place, however things are unfortunately not as they should be. I can only do my best as a TA to support where possible. I do really care about my job and the school and just want to get it right. I appreciate your advice.

As the class TA I was asked:

• what the lesson plan was for that lesson

• which were the SEN children

• which children were pupil premium children and was I able to show them our inclusion folder

They looked closely at the folder to check the info inside was up to date.

Thank you Wineoclock that is very helpful