Teaching Assistant Review

Hugely enjoyable placement, given a lot of responsibilities from the very beginning and encouraged with teaching the pupils. All staff were very welcoming and helpful making the placement very enjoyable.

Always referred to when the main teachers were teaching and often asked to take groups or whole classes indicating our knowledge and opinions were trusted.

I was mainly looked after by a member of staff who had recently finished his NQT (newly qualified teacher) rather than the head of the department who was my official mentor . However the Head of Department was always available if I needed her.

I was never sat around with nothing to do, nor did I have too much pressure or work put upon me. I had a good balance where there was always a task or someone to help, but i had enough time and the opportunity to do each job properly.

took a number of classes on my own and was given the opportunity to plan lessons and run revision sections, but there was always back up when I needed it and another member of staff to help with legal requirements and behavioural issues.

The skills I received through this placement have made me more confident when talking in front of a group of people, a skill that is a necessity in any area of employment. However, no skills were gained which were beneficial for my degree.

Some minor clashes in personalities but nothing which affected my experience at the placement.

Very well organised, the only problems arose from the snow in the winter, which was not the fault of the placement organisation.

Not a huge amount invested in my training, but the placement was not long enough to have the opportunity to do any training. This was also meant to be an introduction to teaching for people to have the chance to discover what the job is like and what it really requires before entering PGCEs. Development was better gained by being thrown in the deep end and having to plan and teach a class, which is what happened for me.

Was offered the chance to come back and work with the school when I had finished my exams. I was also given an open opportunity to go back and visit whenever.

I participated in my placement with one other student, although there was another girl there as well, she worked on a different day. It was good to talk to him and see how his experiences differed from mine and to try and learn from each other. On a few occasions we were invited to join staff social occassions which was a huge benefit to meet new people, and see how they find being a teacher.

I lived and socialised at my home so the costs did not change

Same as above, I lived and worked in the same place so night life did not change, and is very enjoyable.

i was invited to join staff drinks which the Head had put on as a thank you, I was also invited to watch the weekly football match that the male staff members organise.