Being a SEN teaching assistant is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs you can ever have, but It’s also one of the most challenging, as you will be working with children who have a range of different needs.
If you’ve applied for a Special Educational Needs teaching assistant job, this article is for you. You can test how prepared you are with these SEN teaching assistant interview questions. But first, here are a few tips for coming up with answers.
How to Answer SEN Teaching Assistant Interview Questions
Here are 7 key things you should keep in mind when answering SEN TA interview questions.
- Use examples of how you have helped SEN students in the past.
- Be honest about your level of experience and knowledge.
- Highlight any additional training or qualifications you have that are relevant to working with SEN students.
- Show that you are patient, caring, and have a good sense of humour!
- Explain how you would approach difficult situations, such as dealing with disruptive behaviour.
- Stress the importance of teamwork and how you are a good team player.
- Finally, remember to smile and be positive – the interviewers are looking for someone who will be a good fit for their school and someone who will bring joy and happiness to their students.
26 SEN Teaching Assistant Interview Questions
1. What do you think are some of the greatest challenges of being a SEN teaching assistant?
2. What do you think are the most rewarding aspects of working with children who have special educational needs?
3. What do you think is the most important quality for a successful SEN teaching assistant?
4. What experience do you have working with children with special educational needs?
5. What strategies do you use to support children with special educational needs in the classroom?
6. How do you deal with difficult behaviour from children with special educational needs?
7. What do you think is the best way to manage a child’s individual learning plan?
8. What methods would you use to help a pupil with ADHD concentrate during lessons?
9. What do you think is the best way to motivate SEN students?
10. What do you think are the challenges of working with children with special educational needs?
11. How would you deal with a situation where a child was struggling to cope in class?
12. What do you think is the best way to support a child with special educational needs in their learning?
13. What strategies do you have for dealing with challenging behaviour from children with special educational needs?
14. How do you think you can make a difference in the lives of children with special educational needs?
15. How would you deal with a child who was experiencing anxiety or depression?
16. What do you think are the best ways to promote inclusion for children with special educational needs?
17. How do you think you can help children with special educational needs to develop social skills?
18. What strategies do you have for supporting children with special educational needs who are struggling academically?
19. How would you deal with a child who was being bullied because of their special educational needs?
20. What do you think are the best ways to help children with special educational needs stay healthy and fit?
21. What do you think are the best ways to support parents of children with special educational needs?
22. What do you think is your weakest character trait?
23. Would you describe yourself as an adaptable person?
24. Do you have any experience in helping to organise outdoor activities?
25. How do you go about planning your work for SEN students?
26. What do you think are the most important things an SEN teaching assistant can do to further their career?
See Also: 19 Teaching Assistant Interview Questions and Answers
13 Questions to ask at end of a SEN Teaching Assistant Interview
Now that you have a few example questions to work with, it’s time to start thinking about questions you can ask at the end of the interview.
Here are 13 example questions to ask at the end of a SEN teaching assistant interview.
- What are the school’s priorities when it comes to SEN provision?
- What is the school’s policy on inclusion?
- What is the school’s policy on working with external agencies?
- What are the school’s procedures for reviewing SEN provisions?
- What is the school’s approach to differentiation?
- What are the school’s procedures for dealing with SEN pupils who display challenging behaviour?
- How does the school involve parents and carers in their child’s education?
- What are the school’s procedures for managing SEN pupil records?
- What is the school’s approach to individual education plans (IEPs)?
- How does the school monitor and review the progress of SEN pupils?
- What are the school’s arrangements for consultation with external specialist services?
- What is the school’s policy on classroom technology use?
- How does the school keep abreast of changes in SEN policy and practice?
See Also: 8 Common Teaching Assistant Interview Tasks
What does an SEN Teaching Assistant Do?
In a nutshell, the role of an SEN teaching assistant is to support the class teacher in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs.
This can involve working with an individual pupil or small group, providing one-to-one support, helping to create and implement Educational, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and liaising with parents and other professionals.
Some skills that you need to be a successful SEN teaching assistant are:
- Patience: You will need to have a lot of patience when working with pupils with SEN, as some tasks may take longer than others.
- Creativity: It is important to be creative when working with SEN pupils, as you will need to find ways to engage them in learning.
- Flexibility: You will need to be flexible in your approach, as the needs of pupils can change on a daily basis.
- Good communication skills: You will need to have good communication skills, as you will be liaising with parents, teachers and other professionals on a regular basis.
- Good organisation skills: It is important to be organised when working as a SEN teaching assistant, as you will often be juggling a lot of different tasks.
See Also: What makes a good SEN teaching assistant
How much does a SEN Teaching Assistant Earn?
The average SEN teaching assistant earns £21,785 per year in the United Kingdom.
However, salaries can range from £17,416 to £27,146 per year depending on experience and location. In London, for example, SEN teaching assistants earn an average of £24,497 per year.
Seniority and additional training may also lead to higher earnings. For example, a level 3 qualified teaching assistant could earn up to £9,000 more than a level 2 qualified teaching assistant.
See Also: Teaching Assistant Courses Online
Wrapping up
Remember, preparation is the key to success when attending a SEN teaching assistant interview. Make sure to research the role, familiarise yourself with common interview questions and have some examples of your work ready to share.
If you are really passionate about working with SEN pupils and have the necessary skills, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be successful in securing the role. Good luck with your interview!
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