Teaching Assistant Review

I work within a special educational needs school as a teaching assistant. During my day I assist the class teacher with lessons, I go around the classroom and help the children with their work. I also support the children emotionally, allowing them time for sensory breaks and giving them someone to talk to.

I learnt new communication skills such as makaton. This allowed me to connect and communicate with more children. I also learnt about how to communicate with parents/caters effectively, I learnt about systems such as class dojo. I developed the skill of reading through policies and implementing these into the classroom and work environment.

I enjoyed it a lot, there was lots of things I learnt. I got invited to lots of training events and sessions such as food for mood and autism spectrum. I also enjoyed the chance of being able to speak with other apprentices and talking about their experience.

It was very organised, there was lots of communication with professionals. At the beginning of my apprenticeship I struggled with some miscommunication between myself and other members of LMP. However, after this all the communication has been really effective. All the meeting were structured and well organised. The end review was also well thought.

There is always someone there for me to talk to. If I need help people are around for them to support me, if I need to call someone I can do so and feel confident doing it as well. I felt in a position to talk about anything and I knew if there was a problem it would be sorted.

I received a lot of support through my tutor meetings and emails. When completing coursework I was given lots of support and shown lots of examples in order to help me complete it to the best of my ability. I was also talked through the whole process of the epa and given support throughout so I understood what would happen.

The teaching assistant qualification allows me to assist in the classroom at my full potential. I understand about safeguarding and policies and procedures which then allow me to take this into the school and understand exactly how to deal with situations. I also know about how to deal with confrontation due to my knowledge from the course.

I can get involved with assisting in after school clubs such as boxing, dance and drama. I am also given opportunities to take part in extra CPD. This is done through being given login to a cod website that has lots of training on it to do with the school and the childrens needs.

Yes

It is a supportive company to work for, there is always someone around to support you and they allow you to reach your full potential through helping and assisting you. You learn lots of new things and it is always fun. I would recommend this company because you get a qualification at the end and you have spent the time learning lots of vital skills that you can then take forward into careers.

Make sure you give your best to the job, always try hard and never give up. If you need help just ask for it, there will always be someone around who will support you and offer a hand. Sometimes it may seem hard but by trying and not giving up, you will get there.