Teacher Training?

laurenweird

Hello all! I am 23 and I have two young children. I have recently enquired into volunteering at my daughters school for a few hours a week. Working in a school would be something I really enjoy so I'm hoping this will be a step towards getting a job in that enviroment.

My question is, are there any courses I can take alongside my volunteering to gain a teaching qualification or a teaching assistant qualification? I'd need something fairly flexible with my having the two littles (a 3 year old and a 1 year old)

Also, my partner is unemployed at the moment and claiming jobseekers for both of us - if I was to take a course, is there anything I can get to help out with costs as I know training/courses can be quite expensive.

I've been googling stuff but I just can't work it all out, so if anyone has any advice that would be great

Oh, and volunteering doesn't affect jobseekers, right?

Hope this is the right place to post

Vejovis

do you have a degree, you'd need one for teaching but not a teaching assistant

laurenweird

No I don't, would university be the only way of doing that?

I figured that would be the case, which is why I'm thinking teaching assistant instead.

And it'd be working in a Primary/Junior school, I think I forgot to mention that...

Vejovis

you could go for a degree through the OU if you didnt want to go to uni. in the meantime you could train to be a teaching assistant which would give you plenty of experience.

laurenweird

That sounds more like a plan to me. I just want to be doing something with my spare time. Something productive that will be towards something, so Open University could definitely be an option in the future.

So for now I need to look in to teaching assistant courses...

kingfisherblue

If you are claiming JSA, you should tell the JC that you are volunteering. I don't know if that is the case for a joint claim, but it is for single claims.

Teaching and teaching assistant jobs in primary schools are very sought after - there are some areas of the country that have such a glut of qualified people, that getting a job is almost impossible. In parts of the North West, some newly qualified teachers cannot get a job (apart from supply teaching) for a couple of years. In my area, there are lots of people that I know who have qualified as TAs, but there are very few jobs - but this is where volunteering is invaluable. Not only do you get the experience, but you also get your face known and have a good chance of a job if a vacancy arises.

As others have said, an OU degree could be one way forward. If there is a university near you, it might be worth enquiring about courses. I think you would probably be expected to make use of the student loan system.

Teaching assistant courses are often offered by local colleges. In my area, several community centres offer the courses as well, sometimes free of charge (if the centre has secured funding elsewhere). You will be expected to carry out certain tasks with the children, but most schools will accommodate this.

An enhanced CRB Disclosure will be required, but you might already have this if you volunteer in a school. If not, you might have to pay for it yourself - the cost os £44, but some colleges also charge an admin fee on top.

You might want to take a look at the forums on https://www.tes.co.uk - very helpful if you have any queries regarding courses, training, tasks, etc.

TA wages are usually term time only and are notoriously poor, but some schools have summer schemes that employ TAs for 2-4 weeks in the summer holidays. You are also usually employed at a particular level and paid at that level, no matter how well qualified you are. So even if you have a level 4 HLTA qualification, if your job is for a level 2 TA, you will be paid at level 2.

Good luck x

sheilavw

When I did my teaching assistant course you had to do 100 hours in the year voluntarily, and the course was 3 and a quarter hours one evening a week, started sep, finished about june with short exam. I did a placement in primary one morning a week for 3 hours and started my normal 6 hour shift later (work were flexible). I then took voluntary and got a job in a High school before I finished the course. Some of our TA's don't have a qualification.

Vejovis

sheilavw wrote: »

When I did my teaching assistant course you had to do 100 hours in the year voluntarily, and the course was 3 and a quarter hours one evening a week, started sep, finished about june with short exam. I did a placement in primary one morning a week for 3 hours and started my normal 6 hour shift later (work were flexible). I then took voluntary and got a job in a High school before I finished the course. Some of our TA's don't have a qualification.

are you sure they're teaching assistants and not classroom assistants?

laurenweird

Thanks for the replies! I figured it'd be a job where lots of people apply which is why I've decided to volunteer at first and get my face out there and gain some experience. I got my CRB through yesterday so looking to start in the New Year.

I best tell the Job Centre about volunteering then, thanks for that, I don't want to be in trouble

The teaching assistant course sounds reasonable enough and something I could fit in, so will definitely look in to that and look to hopefully expanding on it in the future.

It's a shame it's such a full profession but it's better I get out there doing something towards it than sitting at home.

Thank you for all the advice everyone, I really appreciate it! I'm alwyas at a loss when it comes to things like this!

heretolearn_2

If you are seriously thinking of doing an OU degree don't wait, do it NOW. There's no reason to delay and good reason to start immediately.

The funding for OU degrees changes from autumn 2012 starts. From then on, the fees are similar to any other degree and if you need help with them you have to take out a student loan.

If you start a degree this academic year then the current funding arrangements will be applied throughout your degree (simplifying a bit, but essentially). This means that you can get a grant - not a loan, never has to be repaid - for the course fees and also a small grant - not a loan - towards your study expenses. If you qualify for help. Which you will. There are a few courses left with places starting in Jan/Feb or May that will get your foot in the door on this. If you do it now your degree will be free (depending on future circumstances of course, but in any case the fees will be held at the current low rates).

If you faff about you'll end up having to take out a student loan of £2500 ish per year for 6 years for the course fees.

cr1mson

I am on the supply list as a Pupil Support Worker for my local council and have no teaching qualifications. I am what they called qualified by experience as volunteered at Toddler Groups, Playgroups, Nursery and Schools that my kids were at or in case of school are at.

HTH

C