Becoming a Teaching Assistant

[goblinvalley]

Hi all,

An opportunity has arisen at my ds school for a TA post. I currently hear reception children read and help out in the classroom, so i have a current CRB.

What kind of things are they looking for in a TA. Working with kids is not something i have done before (engineer) so i wasn't sure that i would like it. But it is really good, albeit a tad frenetic

Could any TAs help me out with things that could make me stand out - in a good way at interview please.

Thanks

I'm not a TA, I'm a NN, but I think good organisational skills, good english and math skills.

I work as a TA and I absolutely love the job.Are you good at maths being an engineer?Maths skills are always good for teaching.What age group are they recruiting for? Give a good interview though because competition for these jobs is often fierce!

I'm a secondary TA although I did volunteer at DSs primary before i got this job. Any background info you have is bound to be a bonus - you know the school / techers / way of doing things etc. For primary, any sort of crafty skill also might be useful - together with the basics.
I'd also read up on child protection issues & the current curriculum too.

(i think you still need another CRB as it's job specific I think even within the same school)

At our school we don't often employ TAs who don't have a formal qualification, so to us, your willingness to go to evening classes and take an NVQ would be crucial.
An interview might involve a classroom observation where you would be assessed on how you interacted with the children, whether you understood the lesson objective and helped the children achieve it, and how you handled any discipline issues.

Ahh Whizzz I have a interview next week for a secondary post any advice for me?

Rosaluxembourg are you secondary?

This is primary, not secondary, don't know much about secondary, I'm afraid.

Don't be scared by the kids even though they are often bigger than you
If you are working across the curriculum, have a quick whizz through KS3 topics.
IME-You need to think on your feet as very rarely (if ever!) do you have time to go through anything with subject teachers, so you have to be able to re-explain things quickly when kids get stuck.
Be able to cope with stroppy teens & not lose your rag.
Have a good all round education so you can handle all subjects
I like secondary now (although initially I though I wanted primary) - I like the challenge & the range of subjects.

Any specific questions?

Thanks, whats your favourite subject? I have developed a strange love of geography.

I love English at the mo but only because I work with 2 fabby teachers.

(that's another thing - be prepared for many different teaching styles & a 'variety' of personalities in the teachers ie. some that really value you & some that think you are hardly worth speaking too - you have to fairly resiliant!)
It's harder to build up good working relationships if you move round the curriculum (we have a different timetable each year)

Thanks whizzz- the interview I am going for is for a science based TA. I have a background in science so I will enjoy that.I am not good at English though, all those poemy things I find most confusing.{grin}

You soon pick them up! I have a science/chemistry background too but now am pretty good on those 'poem things', adverbs, subordinate clauses & the like

Best of luck - do report back!

We also have to cover for teacher (which is a bit of a sore point as our level / pay is rubbish!) & also exam invigilation too - basically the HT uses & abuses us (the only down side of the job)

Thanks whizzz How long have you been a TA?

I am only a novice - it will be 2 years in September. I did a BTEC TA certificate before I got the job & have managed (with a lot of persuasion to get the school to fund me in a year long dsylexia course which I have just started.

I don't regret changing careers though (I was a H&S manager in the chemical industry!) - a lot better pay but stressful.

Great news whizzz on your course.I also changed careers from social work, again good pay but very stressful, to education. I love the TA job best. I currently work in a year 5 class. Lovely kids, lovely teachers ,lovely headteacher. Lovely job.

Bye, must go and feed family as they don't seem to know where the food is kept!

Thanks for all your messages. The posts (3) will be in Primary, but i'm not sure which year as the Head has just put the info out on the parent newsletter.

I'm fine about going on a course - i would like to stretch my brain How strict are you with the children and how do you make sure that you are kind, caring but not overly friendly?

Thanks again