Interview for secondary school TA job - any tips? Pretty please?

[CockneySparra]

I've got an interview fir a TA job in a secondary school, working mainly with young people with SEN and / or EAL.

I'm hoping to train as a secondary school teacher (starting in Sep 2012), so this would be great experience for me and I really want the job!

Any heads up on what they might ask me, other than the usual 'why do you want the job?' 'what are your strengths/weaknesses?' type thing?

Any ideas for things I could ask them?

And what should I know / be aware of / drop into the conversation?

I am not being lazy, btw. I have loads of ideas and have worked in education before, so know the landscape and am up to date on current legislation / big issues (I think!), but just want to make mine others for any ideas on things I might not have considered!

Also, they have said I will tour the inclusion department before the interview (so what sort of thing might I ask?) and 'do a small group task, with preparation time first'. Any idea what that might be?

Many TIA for any advice!

...want to mine others for info, not 'make mine'

It's early

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another shameless bump. Anyone?

Try looking at teachers tv they have a TA section and you could watch some of the videos to get an idea of current educational issues. It might be helpful to think of ways that you can help the children's learning, I would be tempted to talk about explaining in simplier terms what the teacher has said, working as a talking partner so children can rehearse and refine there answers before sharing with the whole class, you could talk about 'scaffolding' the children basically providing extra help so when they are learning is achievable but still challenging enough so they learn. You may find this easier if you had a lesson in mind, for example if they were learning column subtraction you could work with the child on a number line adding up from the smaller number to the bigger number.

Thanks manyhands, will look at teachers tv definitely. All really useful advice, thnks.

I am a teacher in a secondary school......

Say you are a team player but also work well on own initiative

Say you are flexible & adaptable and recogise that sometimes things in a school/classroom can change v.quickly and you need to change too

Say you will work with teacher to support their lessons, and follow lesson plan & lesson aims

Child protection - say you realise the importance of not revealing sensitive info on students to ANYONE that doesnt need to know

Say you understand importance of following school code of conduct/discipline for students so that all staff (teaching & non teaching) have clear expectations of students & that everyone is 'singing from same hymn sheet'

Things to ask....

what provision is there for EAL students?
How many EAL students do you have?
Do SEN students have key workers, if so, would I be one?

Familiarise yourself with MEPs/IEPs (multi element plans/individual education plans). Basicalle plans for SEN students which outline their needs, strategies to support them, outside agency involvement (could be social services, police, education welfare officer, speech therapist etc)

for students on school SEN list there are 3 categories:

SA (school action). School has identified a need & provides support/provision. E.g. a weak reader given a one-to-one reading slot.

SA+ (school action plus). A need is identified and at least one outside agency is involved

Statemented - student has a statement of SEN, usually a more 'serious' need.

big thing at the mo is AFL (assessment for learning). not really TA responsibility, but say you are aware of importance of it & that you would strive to assist teachers with this in lessons.

Big up your ICT skills, always a bonus

Do you have an interest, e.g. netball, ICT, art, drama etc - always bonus if staff can offer support in an extra curricular activity (but be aware saying this can often lead to being roped into an after school club!)

Thanks so much, ojmummy.

All really useful and a relief to know that my prep so far is along the right lines!

Really appreciate you taking the time to reply.