Teaching Assistant Interview

wortblossom

I have been given an interview for a grade 3 teaching assistant sen job that I applied for. However I didn't expect to even get an interview, as I dont think I have the experience (I only have 2 years experience working in eyfs & my level 3 TA qualification). And I still don't think I have any chance of getting the job. I'm also concerned I only got the interview as the head teacher use to teach my son, so he knows me a little. So now I am panicking a bit.
There are 3 stages to the interview-
Formal interview
10 Minute story session with pupils in the ability of P stages 5-8
Written task- looking at a pupils work, writing next steps and a follow up activity to move learning on.

I have literally no idea what book to choose for the story session, I need something that is inclusive yet can challenge and support the different abilities - please help! What book can I choose and how can I make it engaging?

Any advice would really be helpful, thanks

dawyldthing

Maybe something like 'the tiger who came to tea' or a traditional story like little red riding hood - saying if you did further sessions you could progress to hotseating little red riding hood as to how she felt and baby bear who it goes wrong.

dawyldthing

Thing is especially in schools it's better if you know the staff as at least it's not an unknown to a school and if they know you could be a good role model that's probably why they are giving you a chance

Oakdene

wortblossom wrote: »

I worry its not even worth me going as other people being interviewed will have alot more experience and better answers to interview questions.

Even if you dont get it then the interview will give you an idea what types of questions will be asked whihc will be invaluable for future interviews. I once applied for a job & was told (after I had got the job) that I had been invited to interview 'to make the numbers up' & I interviewed really well & got the job. You have nothing to lose by going for the interview!! Good luck

Leo2020

If you have got the interview then you must at least meet the minimum criteria for the job. With school jobs (certainly TA and Teaching jobs) anyway you are expected to show in your application you can do at least all of the minimum criteria.

You have experience and a relevant qualifications, what you need to do now is put that knowledge into action. If you think about it I'm sure you can come up with a plan for the story sessions.

daytona0

dawyldthing wrote: »

Maybe something like 'the tiger who came to tea' or a traditional story like little red riding hood - saying if you did further sessions you could progress to hotseating little red riding hood as to how she felt and baby bear who it goes wrong.

I'd probably go for little red riding hood tbh...

I don't know if your further session would be too abstract for them based on P-levels (could be ok for the level 8 peeps mind you) but certainly good to discuss what further activities you could do:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/329911/Performance_-_P_Scale_-_attainment_targets_for_pupils_with_special_educational_needs.pdf

P5 listening = Pupils respond appropriately to questions about familiar or immediate events or
experiences [for example, ‘Where is the ball?’, ‘What are you doing?’, ‘Is it yellow?']

P8 listening = P8 Pupils take part in role play with confidence
• Pupils listen attentively. They respond appropriately to questions about why or how
[for example ‘Why does a bird make a nest?’, ‘How do we copy this picture?’].

I think the school just wants to see whether OP can hold their attention! May be beneficial to try and appeal to visual, audio and kinasthetic learners by; showing the pictures in the book, reading the book and acting out a small number of scenes (maybe yawn when the wolf is in the bed?)

It will technically be the teacher's job to ensure that work is differentiated and ability-appropriate, so I wouldn't worry too much about what follow up ideas you could do with them....


Same with the writing exercise; read the P-level guidelines above and you may have a better idea of what level you are trying to get the students to. Ultimately, though, they probably just want to see what you are like with the kids and whether you have some kind of understanding of the level they are at! The teacher will be responsible for directing you and so I wouldn't worry *too much* about it!

If it helps, and this is something they drilled into me on the PGCE, I would personally do a 10-minute lesson plan for your reading session! List down:

- Materials you need (book, chairs, desk etc)
- Learning objectives (what do you want the children to take away? Maybe link to P levels?)
- A plan of what you will do (ie introduction, questions you may ask the children, questions they may ask you and your proposed response, reading task, end of lesson)

Only has to be like half a page and will take like 20 minutes but it shows good organisation skills. Only a suggestion though, you don't have to do that!

Feyfangirl

We're Going on a Bear Hunt! is a good choice