Hello,
I started working as a TA for an academy chain in Sept 2019. I started out with quite a challenging class with a high level of need but muddled through, having never done the role before. Then Covid happened so things weren’t exactly normal.
I started working with a new class in Sept. Overall the class were really good, but there was one child who was really challenging. I tried my very best, but in the end they decided to put another more experienced/higher level TA in the class, who they obviously thought could manage the child better. No feedback was given to me about this. I am now in a role where I work between a number of different classes and don’t feel part of any team.
Since starting in the job, I have not been given any feedback about how I am performing, apart from in my probation review when I was told by my technical line manager that they were “fully satisfied” but she had never worked with me and knew very, very little about me at the time.
The head at the school barely speaks to me, yet seems to be very friendly and praise some of the other TAs in my presence.
My confidence is low and it’s affecting my performance at work. I don’t feel there’s anyone at work I can talk to about it. And I suspect I am giving off negative vibes now (though I am trying not to!) and am starting to feel like a pariah!
Anyone got any advice please? I am tempted to leave but am worried about doing so without another job to go to.
It is a shame as I enjoyed many aspects of the job.
Any advice please?