Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

My DP has his first interview for a Teaching Assistant position tomorrow ....

17 replies

heavenstobetsy · 17/06/2009 12:17

.... what should he wear!

Is it OK to go in the tidy/casual clothes he normally wears when volunteering (at another school) or will they expect him to be suited and booted?

OP posts:
shinyshoes · 17/06/2009 12:24

It's always nice to go smartly dressed even if it is in the school that he's been in volunteering, shows that an effort has been made. Not sure about a complete suit, perhaps a nice shirt and trousers, I wouldn't go with a tie or anything.

Good luck to him btw .

Original poster
heavenstobetsy · 17/06/2009 12:27

Thanks Shinyshoes - DP seems to think his usual cords and a good shirt will be fine but I've always worked in city jobs and so was thinking he needed to be a bit more formal!

Fingers crossed - he really wants this job

OP posts:
sporadicname · 17/06/2009 12:43

Agree with shinyshoes, a suit maybe a step too far, but trousers and shirt would be suitable. Though it depends if they have asked him to do any tasks with the children as part of the interview.

UnquietDad · 17/06/2009 12:44

Good luck Mr Betsy. Schools need more men!

UnquietDad · 17/06/2009 12:45

Oh, and I'd wear a jacket, with a smart open-neck shirt and smart trousers and shoes. No tie.

OrmIrian · 17/06/2009 12:45

Hope it goes well! Smart trouser and shirt. Not suit.

Dh did this about this time last year. He's taking on a full teaching post this Sept

Original poster
heavenstobetsy · 17/06/2009 14:37

Thanks all - he doesn't have to do anything with the kids, he's already had the tour etc so I will tell him that mumsnet agrees with me and he needs to smarten up!

Well done your DH OrmIrian - I really hope my DP can do the same!

OP posts:
Original poster
heavenstobetsy · 18/06/2009 16:00

Thanks again for all your comments - just wanted to let you know HE GOT THE JOB!!!!

OP posts:
flintski · 21/06/2009 08:06

Hi,

can I hijack the thread please? My DH would love to get a TA job before maybe doing teacher training. How easy was it for your DH (and any others) to get the job? i.e. had he done any voluntary work etc or was his experience having kids (which is all my DH currently can say)
any thoughts/advise would be great,

Original poster
heavenstobetsy · 21/06/2009 08:28

Hi Flintski,

It was pretty easy in terms of the interview process in the end - it was the first job he applied for!

We translated all his current employment skills to match what they were looking for on application - i.e. working under own initiative, dealing with stressful situations etc which was pretty easy too.

What I think made a big difference tho was that he has been volunteering at a local school for two full days a week since April and taking the afterschool sports club - the headmistress gave him an absolutely glowing reference! Plus he had already enrolled for a cache course at the local college (starting September) which kind of showed how serious he was

TBH what the school seem to have been looking for more than tons of experience was energy and enthusiasm which my DP has in spades!

Good luck to your DH - I'd say gor for it. Schools are crying out for male TAs

OP posts:
MagNacarta · 21/06/2009 08:34

Just wanted to add my best wishes - more men in schools is a great thing, especially for those of us with boys.

Original poster
heavenstobetsy · 21/06/2009 08:35

sorry, meant to say getting voluntary work should be really easy - we found loads of schools were really keen for free help.

However, it did take 4 months for the CRB check to come back so maybe if your DH fancies it it would be worth talking to schools now with a view to starting work in the Autumn

OP posts:
Original poster
heavenstobetsy · 21/06/2009 08:38

Thanks Magnacarta

OP posts:
flintski · 21/06/2009 21:06

Thanks for this heavens (and couldn't agree more MagnaCarta) - Apologies for the late response - father's day commitments!

the voluntary idea is one we'd talked about so will make sure that happens and good point about approaching people now.

He's really enthusiastic and I think that will come across - Will let you know how he gets on

flintski · 21/06/2009 21:08

oh and what is a cache course? (sorry for ignorance - you'd think I'd know as I'm a secondary school teacher!!)

Original poster
heavenstobetsy · 22/06/2009 09:56

from what I understand, CACHE is like an NVQ but you can only do the NVQ if you are working so CACHE is the equivalent if you are only a voluntary helper.

Good luck to your DH - my DP is so pleased he's made the career move

OP posts:
memoo · 22/06/2009 10:02

Hi, I'm a primary school TA. I did my TA NVQ whilst volunteering at my local primary school 3 days a week.

You don't have to be working to do the TA NVQ as long as you are volunteering in an appropriate setting for at least 12 hours a week.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page