Any Teaching Assistants on tax credits out there?

Evie82

I have been offered a position today following an interview for a TA job at an infant school.

Im just wondering how it works with pay and tax credits really. From what i understand from the contract, I would be on a 39 week of the year employment at £15,842 Pro rata at 20 hrs.

So firstly, do most schools pay the same amount all year, so even through the school holidays you get wages? Or is it that you get paid at end of month and if at the end of August you have been off for school holidays, you dont get paid?

Also with tax credits, do i class as working still even if I am off in the school holidays?

Any advice would be wonderful!! :j

woozywendy

I work in a school and get paid all year (wages spread out over year). If you work in a school as far as I understand it they average out your hours over the year if you get paid all year round for tax credit purposes.HTH.

[Deleted User]

If you are contracted throughout the year and not just during term time you could be classed as employed during the holidays.
As woozywendy says, many school employees will still be paid during the holidays and are still classed as employed as this is your working pattern.

SuziQ

My sister is a TA and regularly get called into school during holidays for training and update days (she is always given loads of notice so she can book holidays etc),so I think that answers the question too!

callow

This is the bit from the website that states that is you work term-time only you just put down the normal hours that you work during the term.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/TAXCREDITS/usual-working-hours.htm

Even if they don't split your salary over 12 months you will still get your WTC & CTC in the weeks that you don't work.

[Deleted User]

What Callow says is correct but you must be contracted during holiday time.
If you are only contracted during school term you are only classed as a "seasonal worker". Your position must be open for you to return when term starts again.