Teaching Assistant Interview Questions and Model Answers (UK)

The questions UK schools ask teaching assistant candidates, with model answers for safeguarding scenarios, behaviour, SEND, phonics and maths, plus what to expect from the pupil task and checks.

By Tony Musso on Thu Oct 15 2026

Teaching assistant interviews focus on four things: safeguarding, how you manage behaviour, how you support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and how well you'll work with the class teacher. Expect at least one safeguarding scenario question. It is the one panels care about most, and a weak answer can end your chances on its own.

Below are 14 questions UK schools commonly ask, with model answers you can adapt. Use real examples from parenting, volunteering, youth work, care work or previous jobs. Schools hire plenty of TAs without classroom experience if they can show the right instincts.

What a TA interview usually involves

Most schools run a half day or full day that includes:

• A task with pupils. You might read with a small group, run a short phonics or maths activity, or support a child during a lesson. Staff watch how you speak to pupils, how you pitch the activity and how you handle a child who drifts off.
• A panel interview, often with the headteacher or deputy, the SENCO and sometimes a governor.
• A tour, which is part of the assessment. Be friendly to everyone you meet.

Before you start, you'll need an enhanced DBS check (with a check of the children's barred list) and satisfactory references. Schools follow safer recruitment rules, so many request references before the interview, and some also carry out online checks on shortlisted candidates.

Safeguarding questions

1. What would you do if a child told you something worrying?

Model answer: "I'd stay calm, listen and let them talk in their own words without asking leading questions. I wouldn't promise to keep it secret, because I'd have to pass it on, and I'd tell them that kindly. I'd reassure them they did the right thing by telling me. Then I'd report it to the designated safeguarding lead straight away, the same day without fail, and write down exactly what was said, using the child's words, with the date and time, on the school's recording system. If the child was in immediate danger, I'd make sure the police were called. I wouldn't investigate myself or discuss it with anyone else."

This is the answer panels want to hear. The key points are: listen, don't promise secrecy, report to the DSL the same day, record it.

2. What would you do if you were worried about a colleague's behaviour with a child?

Model answer: "I'd report it to the headteacher straight away, even if it seemed minor. If my concern was about the headteacher, I'd go to the chair of governors. I'd follow the school's whistleblowing and safeguarding policies and wouldn't confront the colleague myself."

3. What do you know about safeguarding in schools?

Model answer: "Everyone in a school is responsible for keeping children safe. Schools follow the government's Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, and every member of staff should read Part One. I'd know who the DSL and deputies are, complete the school's training, and report any concern, however small."

Behaviour management questions

4. A pupil keeps disrupting the lesson. What would you do?

Model answer: "I'd follow the school's behaviour policy so the pupil gets the same message from every adult. I'd start low-key: moving closer, a quiet word, praising pupils nearby who are on task. If it continued, I'd give a calm reminder of the rule and the consequence. I'd also think about why it's happening. Is the work too hard, or are they tired or anxious? I'd mention what I noticed to the teacher afterwards."

5. A child refuses to do their work. How would you handle it?

Model answer: "I'd avoid a stand-off. I'd break the task into a small first step, offer a limited choice, such as which question to start with, and praise them as soon as they start. If they still refused, I'd follow the behaviour policy and tell the teacher, rather than letting it slide."

6. How would you build a good relationship with pupils?

Model answer: "Learn names quickly, be consistent and fair, and notice the good things. I'd take an interest in what they enjoy, while keeping clear professional boundaries."

SEND questions

7. How would you support a pupil with SEND?

Model answer: "I'd start by reading their plan, whether that's a support plan or an EHCP, and talking to the SENCO and teacher about their targets. I'd use the strategies that work for that child, such as visual timetables, breaking instructions into steps, or movement breaks. I'd aim to build their independence rather than doing the work for them, and I'd record what worked so the teacher can track progress."

8. Tell me about a time you supported someone with additional needs.

Use STAR. For example: "My son's friend is autistic and found changes to plans very hard (situation). At his birthday party we needed him to cope with a change of venue (task). I showed him photos of the new place in advance and gave him a quiet space to go to (action). He stayed for the whole party, and his mum now uses photos before trips (result)."

If you want to specialise, our SEND support worker guide covers that role.

Working with the teacher

9. How would you work with the class teacher?

Model answer: "I'd check the plan for each lesson, ask what the teacher wants me to focus on and which pupils to support, and feed back briefly afterwards on how they got on. I'd follow the teacher's lead in front of the class."

10. What would you do if you disagreed with how the teacher handled something?

Model answer: "I wouldn't raise it in front of pupils. I'd find a quiet moment to ask about it, because there's often a reason I don't know about. If it was a safeguarding concern, I'd go straight to the DSL."

Phonics and maths support

11. How would you support a child who is struggling with phonics?

Model answer: "I'd use the school's own phonics programme, so the sounds, actions and wording match what the child hears in class. I'd check which sounds they know, practise blending and segmenting little and often, and use decodable books matched to the sounds they've learned. I'd keep it short and positive and share notes with the teacher."

Find out which programme the school uses, such as Read Write Inc. Phonics or Little Wandle, and mention it.

12. How would you help a pupil who finds maths difficult?

Model answer: "I'd use objects first, like counters or base ten blocks, then pictures, then numbers on their own. I'd check basic number facts, ask them to explain their thinking, and praise effort and method, not just right answers."

Other common questions

13. Why do you want to be a teaching assistant?

Model answer: Be specific. "I've volunteered as a reading helper for a year and enjoy seeing a child who was stuck start to read on their own. I want to do that every day, and I'm interested in working towards HLTA status later."

14. A parent stops you at the gate to complain about their child's teacher. What do you do?

Model answer: "I'd listen politely, not comment on the teacher, and explain that the best person to speak to is the class teacher, or the office if they'd prefer. I'd let the teacher know about the conversation."

For general questions such as strengths, weaknesses and "tell me about yourself", see our guide to common interview questions and answers.

Teaching assistant pay

These figures are for term-time roles and are paid pro rata. Many school adverts show both a full-time equivalent salary and the actual salary, and the actual figure you receive is lower because you're paid for term-time weeks and your contracted hours. Always check which figure an advert is quoting before you compare jobs. Our teaching assistant career guide covers routes in, qualifications and progression. A related role to consider is learning mentor. If you're moving into schools from another line of work, CV Studio helps you present parenting, volunteering or care experience in a way schools recognise.

Read the teaching assistant career guide

Not sure this is the right career for you? A good career test narrows the field before you commit to the training.