1. George Abbot School non sibi sed toti
SUPPORT STAFF TRAINING
MONDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2017
INFORMATION EVENT
George Abbot School non sibi sed toti

2. Housekeeping Fire bell / evacuation procedures Toilets
For future visits
Always sign in at front desk/ must be ‘badged’
Car parking off site

3. Introductions Andrew Roach – GEP Director of Education
Sarah Boulet - GEP/Teaching School Senior Administrator
Jackie Blackwood – Teaching School Project Co-ordinator
Gaby Sutton- GEP/Teaching School Administrator
Kate Carriett – George Abbot Headteacher
Georgina Newman – Headteacher’s PA

4. The Course
Two weeks at George Abbot teaching school and four weeks work experience, two weeks at Primary and two weeks at Secondary.

5. Course Dates Start date Monday 29th January 2018
29th January – 9th February 2018 at George Abbot
Half Term 12th -16th February 2018
Work Experience 19th February – 16th March 2018
Graduation w/c 26th March 2018

6. Course Content Extensive programme Overview of working in a school
Lesson Observations
Teaching and Learning
Special Educational Needs
Skills needed to be a good TA
Application and Interview Skills

7. Timings 9.00am – 3.00pm daily whilst at George Abbot
Timings will vary whilst on work experience
Primary – approximately 9.00am – 3.00pm
Secondary – approximately 8.30am – 3.15pm

8. Costs
Enhanced DBS required by all - £70
Full Course 6 weeks - £295

9. Qualifications
There’s no set rule, but when employing staff Most Schools want grade A – C in English and Mathematics at GSCE level or equivalent
If you trained overseas you can convert your qualification via NARIC
For those who would like to go on to train to be a Teacher with GAS, you are required to have a Degree with Honours at a 2:2 or above (50% of the degree topic should be the subject you would like to teach if at Secondary School level)
National Academic Recognition Centre

10. Work Placements Four weeks in total
Two weeks at Primary
Two weeks at Secondary
Option for a Special School if you are interested – important to consider this as an option
Your preferences will be taken into account
Arranged by George Abbot

11. Future Employment 200+ trained and many now employed locally
15+ schools involved
No guarantees
80% last years cohort now locally employed
70% of this year’s course now employed

12. Possible Roles
Learning Support Assistant – in class work with pupils with SEN Faculty Teaching Assistant – administrative support and some in class support Pastoral Support Assistant/Manager – working with pupils, staff and families Technician – science, design & technology and art departments – specialist lesson preparation

13. How to Apply
Application form can be found via the following link: (George Abbot website, click on the Teaching School logo)
Application deadline – 10.00am Friday 24th November
Interview selection – Wednesday 29th November
Interviews – Thursday 7th December
Interview Outcomes – Tuesday 12th December
DBS information and payment – 10.00am Friday 15th December

14. The Application Form Handwritten or Typed? References
Personal Statement
Interviews – what to expect?
We do prefer typed because in a TA role you are very likely to use a computer and this will be a chance to show us your IT skills. But we are also happy to receive handwritten copies.
The personal statement is a great opportunity for us to understand more about you. We’d like to know;
What you want to get out of the course
Why you want to do the course
What experience can you bring?
Interviews – Not a regimented formal process but an opportunity to demonstrate what you can bring to the course.
Group discussion on a series of topics – i.e. safeguarding
A couple of short written tests to demonstrate your knowledge of English and grammar. In order to support children in Maths and English you’ll need to have a competent knowledge of both.

15. 2016 & 17 Course Feedback
Would you recommend the course to a friend and why?
“Yes absolutely. It's the perfect springboard into working in a school”
“Definitely, the course is extremely useful and essential for anyone who considers any type of supporting job in a school. I am glad I took the course, because I have learned so much about the school system and TA roles in modern schools. Thank you for everything!”
“I most certainly would , you just could not get a course like this anywhere else. What a privilege to have been on it ! “
“Absolutely! The course gives you so much useful knowledge to be able to fulfil your role as a TA. It builds your confidence to be able to do the job. “

16. 2016 Course Feedback
“All the presentations were really interesting and thought provoking. The course exposes you to settings you may not be familiar with e.g. secondary schools and special needs schools. It also prepares you gently for adjusting to juggling work with family”
“The course was fantastic, well run, well thought out and extremely informative. The course gave me back my confidence which I had lost and helped me to believe in myself again.” I have recommended to many friends as I was so impressed.
"I'm so glad to have got on the course.  It's amazingly informative.  I have learnt so much and gained so much insights that I won't be able to get anywhere else.  The work placements are one of the most valuable things I have ever done!"

17. Questions