What to Expect on Your First Day.
Everyone remembers their first day of school- anticipation, excitement and inevitably some nerves! That doesn’t change as a learning support assistant for Breakthrough in Education. Our team will ensure that you are placed in a school suited to you, and therefore already updated you on all the relevant details about the school.
Safeguarding is a priority for every school. So, when you arrive at a school you will sign in at reception and show your credentials, then receive a small briefing from the receptionist. After receiving an identity badge, you’re ready to go and see your classroom! All SEND and SEMH schools will have multiple TAs within each class, so it’s good to meet the team and build a rapport with them before the pupils arrive. The teacher or higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) will talk you through each pupil’s needs, as well as the curriculum that will be followed. They will also explain which pupil you will be partnered with, if in a 1:1 classroom.
Finding out where you fit in within a school can be challenging and it is essential to be patient and present with the pupils, always showing you are open to them. If you ever feel like you are at a loose end, then it’s great to do helpful small jobs such as filling the pupil’s water bottles or prepping the classroom for the next lesson.
During breaks and playtime, it’s important to allow pupils to lead the sessions and demonstrate their independence, whilst being present and joining in. Once inside, the lessons are a great time to get to know pupils on a 1:1 basis and help those who may require your support, whilst following the teacher’s guidance. Some pupils may require their own breaks from the class outside of the timetable and may walk out or disengage. As a teaching assistant, it is your role to ensure that they are safe and to subtly encourage them to rejoin the class, whilst ensuring their well-being is prioritised.
After the pupils leave, there is a chance to reflect on the day and provide feedback to the class teachers or other staff members. If there were any well-being or safeguarding concerns, this would be the time that you would communicate this to the relevant staff (unless something is urgent which should be reported immediately). It’s always a good idea to give feedback on anything positive about a pupil, it’s important for the self-esteem of the pupil and it could also go in their learning journal and be relayed back to their parents. During this period you and the other TAs will tidy up the classroom and reset it for the next day.
Working in a SEND or SEMH classroom can be one of the most rewarding, challenging and fulfilling roles within education. You will have the chance to develop your skills in empathy and mentoring, whilst providing the highest standard of care to pupils with a huge range of additional needs.
Helping pupils to reach their goals is at the heart of your position as a teaching assistant!