Innovative scheme sees schools recruit classroom superstars
A new initiative to recruit teaching assistants in schools has launched with the aim of filling urgent vacancies in primary and secondary settings, after an initial trial saw two new people join local schools.
Teach Portsmouth have held three information events to become a teaching assistant in the city. Feedback from each event has shown some people have lacked the confidence to apply for vacancies straight away.
To help people feel more confident, a trial taster session with a local school and academy was held in February. Over 50 people attended different sessions which resulted in an increase in application rates.
The scheme will now be rolled out to other schools who are exhibiting at the Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair at Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday 22 May from 10am. Mike Stoneman, deputy director for children, families and education at Portsmouth City Council said:
"There is an urgent need to encourage kind and compassionate people to support pupils in the classroom. Teach Portsmouth has focused their efforts to recruit teaching assistants by organising information events.
"Most people haven't attended a school since being a student - so this new taster scheme is the perfect opportunity to find out about careers in a school or college. Each taster session is designed to build confidence before people apply for a job."
Mike Stoneman, deputy director for children, families and education
Head teachers have expressed challenges when attempting to recruit support staff. Some have left the profession due to retirement while others have left due to pressures experienced during the pandemic.
Teach Portsmouth's taster sessions normally last no more than a few hours with each school supervising those who attend. The visit is restricted to meeting staff only with the opportunity to attend a short presentation about working at the school. There is no contact with pupils during the session.
Courteney Parker, who attended a taster session at Trafalgar School and now works as a teaching assistant there said:
"The Teach Portsmouth event was extremely helpful as I was told about what opportunities were available in the city. I knew I wanted to work in a secondary school but didn't know where to start.
"Trafalgar School was exhibiting at the event and spoke about their taster sessions. I signed up and attended one the next day.
"At the taster session, I met the team who I would work with - they were friendly and welcoming. We were told more information about the school and their job vacancies. I was given a tour of the school and loved what I saw. It was everything I was looking for. I filled in an application form for the teaching assistant role, invited to an interview and got the job."
If you've been thinking about working in a school, I would highly recommend attending a taster session as it prepares you for what comes next."
Courtney Parker, teaching assistant at Trafalgar School
Get classroom confident before you apply
Teach Portsmouth's taster sessions are the best way to get classroom confident before you apply for a job or opportunity. Those wanting to take part in taster sessions will need to attend the Teach Portsmouth Jobs and Opportunities Fair page. A full list of participating schools and colleges can be found under the meet the exhibitors section of the website.
Callum Murphy