Teaching Assistant Review

My role involves supporting class teachers in an SEN independent school. I work with children in small groups, 1-1 and also in classes of 6-8 children. I primarily work with KS1/2, delivering side activities in lessons and supporting their learning and development. This may mean developing their sensory needs.

I’ve received phonics training and team teach training in the time I’ve started, provided by the school. With my training provider, I’ve received safeguarding, online safety, health and safety training, as well as PREVENT duty training and developing my literacy and numeracy skills. I’ve also developed my report writing skills through my assignments.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme. With being with the children throughout the entire school day, from the moment they walk through the gates to the second we send them back out, it can be difficult to find the time to work on my assignments, but I find them enriching and interesting, and I actively want to do them.

My programme is very well organised. When I first started, I received a document detailing when I would complete particular modules/milestones and what each one would entail - what I would need to do to reach a top grade. I found this really helpful as someone with attention disorders, the structure really helps me to organise things.

I receive a decent amount of support from my employer and training provider, and know I can reach out at any time. In the first few months of my apprenticeship, I’ve had some personal struggles with family bereavement and everyone involved with my course has been very supportive and kind in this time. I struggle generally with my mental health, too, and this is something I’ve received lots of support for, and know exactly where to go should I need more.

I meet with my tutor every six weeks, at least. I can reach out with questions at any time and feel incredibly supported in my development. The course is something I’m entirely new to, having come from a background of media and wanting to re-train in my passion of childcare. I have access to a wide range of information to help me do so.

It informs me of important procedures around the school, like safeguarding and child protection, or general health and safety. While I would have naturally completed these things, having such a wide range of resources at my fingertips really does help. I also know I can use them when something new pops up, even if it may not be in my course catalogue.

I am aware of extra sessions I could attend, for hot topics such as mental health awareness. But as my training provider operates online, I am not sure of any other opportunities. There’s people in my workplace on the same course and we tend to get together away from work and study to support one another.

Yes

It’s incredibly supportive, thorough and overall a great provider. I know exactly who to contact and when, and can see everything clearly laid out for me when I want to. I have access to so many new resources because of this role and the things the company provide for us.

I think it’s important to be passionate about what you’re working towards. I’ve always wanted to work in education, always wanted to enrich the lives of young people and develop their futures - so my coursework to do so doesn’t feel like a chore. It’s almost a pleasure.