Thinking of re-training as a Teaching Assistant or Teacher

kazimojo69

Hi

I am thankfully - luck to have a secure job - but very unhappy and it is having a slight effect on my health (anxiety).

I am thinking of or would like to do a teaching assistant or primary school teacher course - whilst still working (i.e - home learning).

I know I will need to spend some time at a school each week - which I could arrange.

Anyone help me with any information or how I go about it?? Also woould I be able to apply for any help with fees or pay monthly?

alwaysonthego_2

What qualifications do you have?

Oldernotwiser

kazimojo69 wrote: »

Hi

I am thankfully - luck to have a secure job - but very unhappy and it is having a slight effect on my health (anxiety).

I am thinking of or would like to do a teaching assistant or primary school teacher course - whilst still working (i.e - home learning).

I know I will need to spend some time at a school each week - which I could arrange.

Anyone help me with any information or how I go about it?? Also woould I be able to apply for any help with fees or pay monthly?

If you're looking to be a teacher you can do a part time degree with the OU (around 6 years) followed by a 1 year teaching course.

TA courses will obviously be much shorter and may be available by distance learning.

Funding for the OU is available for those on low household incomes and funding for the TA course will depend on what qualifications you already have.

bristol_pilot

Teaching is very stressful, so it's not something to go into to avoid the stresses of your current job.

There is no shortage of teachers at primary level either.

Burlesque_Babe

the market is awash with new primary teachers at the moment because of bursary money being given out with PGCE's.

Have you thought of teaching adults? I was made redundant (for the second time) and am now working in adult learning. I work in the offices in one job and have started re-training to get QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) on a part time basis.

The steps are:

You need O level English and Maths grade C or above or GCSE grade C or above. If you don't have these, you can do the Level 2 certificate in literacy and numeracy for free.

You then do the PTLLS course (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector) which is 30 hours - I did a 10 week course at 3 hours per week. It can be done at your local college or adult learning provider - it is getting very popular.

You can now apply to teach with the understanding you will do the next step of the qualification which is CTLLS (Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector). You need a miminum of 30 hours teaching in an academic year to do the course.

It is 90 hours of study (I'm doing 30 weeks at 3 hours per session) and you can then apply for Associated Teacher Status. If you aren't going to be teaching stuff like GCSE's, A levels, NVQ's you don't need anything higher than this.

After that is DTLLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector). I think it's another year of study at a similar level to CTLLS but I don't know yet as I'm half way through CTLLS at the moment

I got PTLLS and have taught around 120 hours since last September from having no knowledge and experience. I'm really enjoying teaching adults - the feeling of knowing they have gained a new skill always brings a little !!!!! of a tear to the eye as they leave for the last time.

It's hard work teaching - I couldn't do it full time in a school and very stressful. I was with my ex for 14 years and he taught for 12 of those and it is very hard work with lots of stuff to juggle - often the parents can be the biggest headache.

And the paperwork............don't get me started on the paperwork........:rotfl:

kazimojo69

Burlesque_Babe wrote: »

the market is awash with new primary teachers at the moment because of bursary money being given out with PGCE's.

Have you thought of teaching adults? I was made redundant (for the second time) and am now working in adult learning. I work in the offices in one job and have started re-training to get QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) on a part time basis.

The steps are:

You need O level English and Maths grade C or above or GCSE grade C or above. If you don't have these, you can do the Level 2 certificate in literacy and numeracy for free.

You then do the PTLLS course (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector) which is 30 hours - I did a 10 week course at 3 hours per week. It can be done at your local college or adult learning provider - it is getting very popular.

You can now apply to teach with the understanding you will do the next step of the qualification which is CTLLS (Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector). You need a miminum of 30 hours teaching in an academic year to do the course.

It is 90 hours of study (I'm doing 30 weeks at 3 hours per session) and you can then apply for Associated Teacher Status. If you aren't going to be teaching stuff like GCSE's, A levels, NVQ's you don't need anything higher than this.

After that is DTLLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector). I think it's another year of study at a similar level to CTLLS but I don't know yet as I'm half way through CTLLS at the moment

I got PTLLS and have taught around 120 hours since last September from having no knowledge and experience. I'm really enjoying teaching adults - the feeling of knowing they have gained a new skill always brings a little !!!!! of a tear to the eye as they leave for the last time.

It's hard work teaching - I couldn't do it full time in a school and very stressful. I was with my ex for 14 years and he taught for 12 of those and it is very hard work with lots of stuff to juggle - often the parents can be the biggest headache.

And the paperwork............don't get me started on the paperwork........:rotfl:

Hi Burelsque Babe

This sounds great . Something I would really be interested in. I have O level maths & english....so thats a start.

Going to look into it now.

xxxxxxxxxxx

bestpud

Just to add, I have just done a PTLLS course and it was very good; I highly recommend it!

It will give you a pretty good insight but without you making a major commitment.

Happy to chat about the course some more if you want to pm me.

kazimojo69

bestpud wrote: »

Just to add, I have just done a PTLLS course and it was very good; I highly recommend it!

It will give you a pretty good insight but without you making a major commitment.

Happy to chat about the course some more if you want to pm me.

Hi

Thanks will do. Just found a course by me - starting Sep!! xxxx

Oldernotwiser

Burlesque_Babe wrote: »

the market is awash with new primary teachers at the moment because of bursary money being given out with PGCE's.

Have you thought of teaching adults? I was made redundant (for the second time) and am now working in adult learning. I work in the offices in one job and have started re-training to get QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) on a part time basis.

The steps are:

You need O level English and Maths grade C or above or GCSE grade C or above. If you don't have these, you can do the Level 2 certificate in literacy and numeracy for free.

You then do the PTLLS course (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Sector) which is 30 hours - I did a 10 week course at 3 hours per week. It can be done at your local college or adult learning provider - it is getting very popular.

You can now apply to teach with the understanding you will do the next step of the qualification which is CTLLS (Certificate in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector). You need a miminum of 30 hours teaching in an academic year to do the course.

It is 90 hours of study (I'm doing 30 weeks at 3 hours per session) and you can then apply for Associated Teacher Status. If you aren't going to be teaching stuff like GCSE's, A levels, NVQ's you don't need anything higher than this.

After that is DTLLS (Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector). I think it's another year of study at a similar level to CTLLS but I don't know yet as I'm half way through CTLLS at the moment

I got PTLLS and have taught around 120 hours since last September from having no knowledge and experience. I'm really enjoying teaching adults - the feeling of knowing they have gained a new skill always brings a little !!!!! of a tear to the eye as they leave for the last time.

It's hard work teaching - I couldn't do it full time in a school and very stressful. I was with my ex for 14 years and he taught for 12 of those and it is very hard work with lots of stuff to juggle - often the parents can be the biggest headache.

And the paperwork............don't get me started on the paperwork........:rotfl:

A few things to note about this route (and I speak as someone who was an FE lecturer for 15 years.)

Firstly, this qualification won't allow you to teach in a school and I think that using the expression QTS is a bit misleading.

Secondly, you normally have to have a teaching subject in which you're well qualified (degree, NVQ3, professional qualifications).

Thirdly, the tertiary sector has always been the poor relation of the educational world and the pay is far worst than a school teacher would get.

Finally, in 2013 young people will have to remain in education and training until they're 18. There are going to be a lot of unhappy teenagers around then and, as always, the colleges will bear the brunt of this. Colleges will be packed with stroppy kids who don't want to be there (even more than there are at the moment!)

Just my two penn'orth to counterbalance the rather over optimistic picture painted already.

Burlesque_Babe

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

A few things to note about this route (and I speak as someone who was an FE lecturer for 15 years.)

I think things have changed

Firstly, this qualification won't allow you to teach in a school and I think that using the expression QTS is a bit misleading.

the official status is QTS and you receive a licence to teach. I actually had an interview to teach in a school today - full time -and my current status was accepted. I've also taught specifically the 16-18 age group within my current role in a school on a joint project with the Adult Learning provider.

Oldernotwiser wrote:

Secondly, you normally have to have a teaching subject in which you're well qualified (degree, NVQ3, professional qualifications).

I don't have a degree, NVQ or professional qualification in any of the subjects I teach (although I do have all 3 in subjects I don't currently teach). For any accredited course (ie GCSE) you need to have the next level up yourself - ie to teach A level maths, you need GCSE maths - certainly within ALS (Adult Learning Services) although I don't know about an FE college. What I do have though is lots of relevant career and life experience in the subjects I teach to be able to plan and deliver non-accredited courses.

Oldernotwiser wrote:

Thirdly, the tertiary sector has always been the poor relation of the educational world and the pay is far worst than a school teacher would get.

I agree with you there, it isn't good, but it is a good alternative to becoming a full on teacher of children, which I wouldn't think is a good move if someone is already in a very stressful job.

Oldernotwiser wrote:

Finally, in 2013 young people will have to remain in education and training until they're 18. There are going to be a lot of unhappy teenagers around then and, as always, the colleges will bear the brunt of this. Colleges will be packed with stroppy kids who don't want to be there (even more than there are at the moment!)

Just my two penn'orth to counterbalance the rather over optimistic picture painted already.

That's why I stick to ALS rather than FE

It isn't an over optimistic picture, it's a factual one - certainly within ALS. I work as a tutor and I also work within the Management area of Adult Learning services so how I described it are the current routes at the moment - and have been for new tutors entering teaching since 2007. Before that the rules were different. The route for someone without a PGCE/B Ed/Teaching Cert is now PTLLS, CTLLS, DTLLS. We grow a lot of our Skills for Life tutors who start off as voluntary tutors, then do the City and Guilds 9297 Learner Support Cert. and then do PTLLS. They are then off and running teaching with the commitment to get CTLLS.

I was only putting together a rather complicated flowchart today for the various routes to gaining QTS - don't ask about it if you are thinking of being a SfL tutor and are part qualified - there are arrows everywhere:rotfl:

elisebutt65

Burlesque_Babe wrote: »

I think things have changed

the official status is QTS and you receive a licence to teach. I actually had an interview to teach in a school today - full time -and my current status was accepted. I've also taught specifically the 16-18 age group within my current role in a school on a joint project with the Adult Learning provider.

Actually I got my PGCE/PCE (post compulsory sector) at Oxford Brookes last year, where they know a thing or 2 about education, and Petals/kettles/dettols definitly does not give you QTS - in fact I went for a job in the school sector and it only qualifies you to teach in 6th form if it is a specific 6th form college - not within a secondary school. I double checked and it is definitly NQTS!

I don't have a degree, NVQ or professional qualification in any of the subjects I teach (although I do have all 3 in subjects I don't currently teach). For any accredited course (ie GCSE) you need to have the next level up yourself - ie to teach A level maths, you need GCSE maths - certainly within ALS (Adult Learning Services) although I don't know about an FE college. What I do have though is lots of relevant career and life experience in the subjects I teach to be able to plan and deliver non-accredited courses.

Most FE colleges now require you have to have the relevant degree or very good experience in the subject you're teaching.

I totally agree with ONW with the pay situation - pay in the FE sector is pretty rubbish compared with Primary, Secondary and HE, however it is perfect for me as I work on a part time contract basis so it means I can choose when I want to work, be home for the kids and don't have to wory about TOIL and coming in during the holidays apart from a couple of days training next week - only get paid admin rate for that though - boo sucks!!!!

Have a look into doing a degree with the OU - you can keep current job until qualified so at least you have a salary coming in. I did it the hard way; doing a degree and bringing up family full time is very hard on the wallet!