home study help

crawford2110

hi, I'm looking to do a home study course with a view to becoming a primary school teaching assistant but am unsure as to which company to use. Ive narrowed it down to http://www.ncchomelearning.co.uk/TeachingAssistantDiplomaPAPERFORMAT-Product-588.html which will give me a level 3 diploma accredited by Ascentis,
or
http://www.stonebridge.uk.com/det/636/Teaching+Assistant?gcid=S31776x012&keyword=teaching%20assistant%20course&gclid=COPJ8JiL_KgCFcJP4QodtknjSA which will also give me a level 3 diploma but accredited by NCFE.

my questions are, has anyone had any experience of either of these companies and what difference if any does the accrediting body make to the credibility of the qualification

kingfisherblue

I have no idea about either company, not having used them. However, the first states that

If you are currently working with children the activities may be used in support of your particular role, however, if you are not actively working with children at present, you will find that wherever possible the questions are structured to provide you with alternative means of answering them. You may find it profitable to approach the head of one of your local schools, to explain what you are doing and to see whether there are any opportunities for you to gain experience by helping out in the school on a purely voluntary basis.

I don't know of any course that would accept that you could become a teaching assistant without any practical experience. In my area, the TA courses available all insist on at least one day a week working with children (either paid or unpaid) to attain level 3. There are lots of people wanting to be TAs, and no school is going to employ somebody without experience.

Also, the salaries given are rather misleading - the amount you get is pro rata, meaning that you do not get paid for all of the school holidays. If you check your local council website for vacancies, you will notice that salaries are almost always pro rata.


The second course does not seem to mention working with children to get experience at all - it doesn't sound good to me!


I would seriously reconsider using either of these companies. One area that all employers look for is experience, and many TAs that I know have gained employment at a school where they have volunteered. If you enrol at a local college, you will get your CRB check (which you cannot do as an individual). You will also be encouraged to gain experience and will be given practical tasks to do with the children. Doing this will help you to decide whether it is the right move for you - and it will probably be cheaper as well. Imagine spending all that money to find that you don't really like working with kids!

As well as colleges, check with local community and learning centres. In my town there is at least one community centre that offers levels 1 and 2 free of charge. It would be difficult to do a level 3 unless you already have previous experience or education in this area.

Good luck with whatever you decide x

crawford2110

thanks for your reply i forgot to put in my original post that i have arranged to work voluntarily at my children's school which im hoping will help with regards to completing assignments and also put me in good stead for future vacancies in the school. I have previously done a psychology course at level 3 and found this hard but comfortable. I've been lead to believe that levels 1 and 2 are very basic level qualifications and feel that i could cope with going straight in at level 3. I need a home course as i have 2 children, one which has learning difficulties and other disability's and as such has a lot of appointments that would rule me out of collage for at least a year. I want to spend this year doing something so that next year I can go straight into employment of some kind in this field with a view of eventually becoming a special needs support teacher.

kingfisherblue

Thanks for the additional information. I also have a child with learning difficulties and other disabilities, so I know how hard it can be.

I took a slightly different route to yourself. I applied for and was accepted on a course at university in the next town. It was a foundation degree in Supporting Learning and Teaching and was three years part time. I then 'topped up' to a BA Honours degree, taking another two years part time.

I had the support of my in laws and a friend (they collected my children from school and looked after them until I was able to pick them up after class). My mum was also a great support to me, both emotionally and as a baby sitter when I needed to complete assignments. Just after starting my course, my husband left me and our three children for someone else. The university was very supportive of my circumstances - I rarely missed a class and only had to ask for extensions three times in five years (once due to extreme pressure because my divorce had become very nasty and we were in court over the house - my ex was trying to make me sell, despite it being adapted for our son's needs - and twice when my son was ill).

I graduated with a 2:1 degree in Inclusive Education

Only you know your exact circumstances, but unless you have regular appointments on the day of the course, or your child is regulkarly off school because of illness, I would consider a local course. If you have anything suitable at a university close enough to your home, you might find that there are no fees to pay. the first year, when I was still married, I was assessed as nil payment because my then husband didn't earn much. There was a level of earnings for us, then additional amounts for each dependent. I even received a £250 non-repayable grant to pay towards books, transport, etc. I was reassessed each year as a nil payment because I was on income support. again, I received the grant each year. I could have applied for a hardship grant as I was receiving benefits (people on low income can also apply), but I never felt the need.

Does the Open University have anything suitable, or would that take too long?

crawford2110

wow you should be really proud of yourself. one of my main problems is that he has so much time off school due to his medical needs but im hoping they'll be made more manageable in the next year. im just really bored and fed up at the minute with being stuck at home doing nothing so a home study course would be perfect for me, so im still available for him and not missing lectures.

kingfisherblue

I only did what was right for me and my family, the same as what you are doing for yours. I've been lucky because my course was 1-6pm once a week for the first four years, then 4-6pm twice a week for the final year. When my son was poorly, my mum usually looked after him. It was about thirty minutes driving time each way, and I often went in early to use the library. I never stayed late, though.

How old is your son? My lad is thirteen now, and still needs time off school for illness - especially during winter.

crawford2110

hes just turned 7 but hes just moved to a better school and hes having a op end of this year which should mean he doesn't need so much time off school (hopefully anyway) and i can at last get out of the house.

popadom

What about dca? i know someone who got a TA (1-3) level and they work in schools-no issue. They had 20 years experience of working with young people (which i think helped) .
http://www.dcalearn.co.uk