5 Questions you should ask at a teaching assistant interview

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Have you ever been lost for words when thinking of questions to ask at the end of an interview? Being invited to ask questions after your interview can be your last chance to really sell yourself to the employer. Don’t underestimate how important this stage of the interview is; it can make or break your chances of landing a teaching assistant job. So, here are 5 questions you should ask at a teaching assistant interview.

1. Does your school encourage the teaching assistant staff to undergo further training?

This is a fantastic way to demonstrate to your interviewer that you are pro-active and committed to the industry and the teaching assistant role. It shows that you have a strong passion for career development and that skill enhancement is your main focus, and also allows you to highlight to your interviewer any particular areas that you may be interested in. Your interviewer is likely to be impressed by the fact you are already thinking of how you could progress and develop in your role as it also shows your dedication to the school.

2. How would you describe the culture at the school?

Perhaps one of the best questions you should ask at a teaching assistant interview is what the culture of the school is like. The ‘culture’ of the school encompasses all of the attitudes, behaviours and guiding beliefs that are evident in the way that a school operates. Schools strive to have a positive culture which is defined by elements such as how well students learn, the importance of safety and wellbeing and how involved staff feel. Ask about the culture and then let your interviewer know why you think you would be such a great fit as a teaching assistant. 

3. What does a typical day look like for a teaching assistant at your school?

It’s a great question to ask in your teaching assistant interview what a typical day would look like if you secured the role. Ask your interviewer how your day would usually be structured as this will give you the best idea of what the reality of your role would look like. 

Some specific questions you may want to ask are:

  • What time would my working day start/finish?
  • How would my mornings/afternoons usually be structured?
  • How long do lessons usually last?
  • Would I have opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities? 

4. What do other teachers/teaching assistants like the most about this school?

Another great way to gain a more ‘inside’ view of the school you are hoping to work at is to ask what other teachers in similar roles enjoy about the school. This is a great way for you to get a real feel for the culture of the school and the benefits that they provide to their current staff. You can ask more specifically about the department you are applying to work in. What do the members of staff in this department enjoy so much about working there? Why do they want to work here over other schools?

5. What are some of your expectations for a teaching assistant who wants to become a long-term employee at this school?

This is a fantastic question to ask in a teaching assistant interview as you can find out what expectations that the interviewer would have of you as a teaching assistant. This gives you a rounded idea of what they require from you and whether this suits you personally as a TA. It also demonstrates to your interviewer that you are interested in a long-term career at their school and have a strong willingness to please! 

How can i-teachers help you to become a teaching assistant?

At i-teachers, we specialise in placing talented graduates in Graduate Teaching Assistant roles in a wide variety of subjects areas. We work with a wide range of Primary, Secondary and SEN specialist schools across the UK to provide you the perfect role in the perfect environment!

i-teachers Step into Teaching programme

At i-teachers, we aim to support you and allow you to explore teaching roles with our ‘Step into Teaching’ programme to support all graduate roles in education. Our experienced education consultants will place you in a paid teaching assistant position that is perfectly suited to your skill set, in a school that suits your personality. We believe that practical experience is invaluable and learning from teaching experts is key. On your ‘step into teaching’ programme you will get to experience the life of a teacher or teaching assistant, and truly impact the lives of pupils, whilst in a fully supportive environment. It is fantastic work experience both for your own personal development as well as for your CV, and you can earn whilst you learn!

Take a look at some of our current Graduate Teaching Assistant roles now, or contact us for more information!