Are there any Teaching Assistants on here? Just a few questions

Bettyboop

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: Hi All,

Sorry if this isn't the right board but I'm not sure where to post my query.

My little one will be starting school in September and I am thinking of becoming a Teaching Assistant (I have always wanted to work in a school and it's not just because she's starting school). My current job is a PA to a director.

I phoned my local school and they told me to do the NVQ Level 2. I made enquiries at the college and the course starts in September. The problem is I need some more information.

Maybe someone out there knows the answers to the following:

What are the hours like?
What is the salary like and do you get paid in school holidays?
Are you off for all of the school holidays or not?
To improve your skills does the school send you to do the NVQ Level 3 course?
How do I go about trying to get a placement in a primary school? The college I spoke to said I should have a placement before I do the course. But the school said I have to do the course first before I look for a placement?

Please help.

Thanks.

jobbingmusician

I'm not a teaching assistant (just a nosy cow ) but wonder if you could train as a teacher through the Open University.... I bet that if you started this course, that schools would start being keen on giving you experience....;)

Rachie_B

I would see if you can volunteer at your daughters school ?
I did this in both my sons schools 1 day a week.

Also I wouldnt bother doing a level 2 qual TBH, as many require / prefer level 3

There are distance learning courses if you didnt want to / werent able to get to college,though this does require a lot of self discipline lol

there is a discussion forum here http://www.classroom-assistant.com/

HTH

alijolly

I've been a teaching assistant for 9 years now working in reception. You don't often get a job for more than 30 hours and often contracts are often short term initially. You don't usually get paid for holidays although you do get a pay packet as they take the 40 weeks you work and pay it over 52 so you get the same amount each month. I am off for all of the school holidays, but I do work on inset days. The money is not good, but different LEAs have slightly different rates. As a scale 1 TA the salary is up to £13k but that would be for 36 hours 52 weeks so once adjusted pro rata it is much less. Usually the school will pay for you to attend further training, but there are sometimes budgetary constraints.

I love my job, but if you haven't done anything similar before I would suggest doing a few weeks of helping voluntarily before you commit yourself. It would also help to work with different age groups to find out which one you are most comfortable with.

Hope that helps

Mrs_Supersaver_1

Hi,

the basic entry requirement for a T/A in a Secondary School is
GCSE Maths/English. Do not worry if you don't have good grades/or no qualifications. Motherhood/Parenting skills and life skills are just as important.

I entered with only GCSE English x 2 and no Maths,computer literate
Nursing qualification, NVQ level 2 & 3 in Key Skills Communications and lots of volunteer experience with boy scouts, brownies, footy teams and as a school governor! Govt. now stipulate everyone should have basic Numeracy/Literacy to Level 2. You can still be employed as a T/A if you are working towards such qualifications.

Level 2 T/A is not offered as much now at FE colleges as HLTA is the recognised qualification.

Betty, it may also be difficult for you to get a work placement at your childs school, as everyone has to be CRC checked before they can start, and you may end up having to pay for this yourself.

Do not be deterred, find out as much as is possible, and of course there is different types of non-teaching support of children in schools
(mentors, behavior support, technicians - science and technologies)

Hours of work vary at each school/Lea etc.

Hope this helps, post again if there are further questions

dlb

My friend is a TA, And to work in a junior or infant you dont have to have and qualifications.
As said before offer to help out, most school always welcome parents in to help. i have helped out in the past on swimming trips reading ect, and i think the ta`s do a fantastic job.Be it not always a easy one!

jamgirl

What are the hours like? I work part time (20 hrs ) and the most any of the TAs in my school is 30

What is the salary like and do you get paid in school holidays? i think i get paid quite well and yes, at the moment, i get paid for 52 weeks of the year. the LEA are trying to reduce this to term time only pay.

Are you off for all of the school holidays or not? yes but i do work training days

To improve your skills does the school send you to do the NVQ Level 3 course? no. i had to undertake all my training myself

How do I go about trying to get a placement in a primary school? The college I spoke to said I should have a placement before I do the course. But the school said I have to do the course first before I look for a placement? ring around local schools and offer your services. tell them you intend to start the course in september.

the course i did was the cache level 2. i then went on to do the cache level 3 which covers special needs.
in my LEA and in all the neighbouring LEAs you do need qualifications to work in a primary school. gone are the days of parents helping out. you are expected to be qualified, preferably upto level 3 and are expected to teach.

HLTA (higher level teaching assistant) is not a qualification but a status and needs to be worked for. in this LEA you cannot be considered for HLTA unless you are fully qualified and have been working as a TA for at least 3 years.
this is something i don't want to go for. extra money is not automatically on the cards once status is gained but you are basically expected to plan, prepare and teach. not a route i want to go down or i would train to be a teacher

i love my job and it fits in well with the family.
why don't you see if you can go in as a helper and get a feel for things and then if you still like what you see get on the course.

good luck!

Oldernotwiser

Many people have been working as TAs without a lot of qualifications but things are being tightened up and becoming more competitive. You would be advised to have GCSE Maths/English and you can do the NVQ 2 whilst working as a volunteer in a school. You would then be in a good position to look for employment and either undertake the NVQ3 independently or sponsored by your employer. If you contact a school now you might be able to start voluntary work after Easter, having had your CRB done.

babyblooz

Its not often a good idea to work in the school that your child attends. It can put you in an arkward situation when children are in the school you are working in.

chmmy

Ive been working as a TA since Sept when my twins started school. :j I work at their school and I love it.:D It's true that sometimes it's a bit awkward to work at your children's school, but on balance it is brilliant as I get to see them briefly at play, lunch and special occasions like the Christmas play. Also I can take them to school and pick them up at the end of the day, which I wouldnt be able to do if I worked in a different school. I was a secondary teacher for 2 years before I had the twins so I havent worried too much about qualifications.
I'd imagine that the skills you have as a PA would be a great asset, and we didnt absolutely need NVQ2 on the job spec although it was desirable, and schools are more interested in the right person for the job.:T So I would recommend you go for a job there if one comes up, just read up on educational issues on https://www.tes.co.uk especially the forums(especially behaviour). Also show some evidence of being with children....what about a craft afternoon once a week with your daughter and a couple of her friends, you could take pics of their artwork and write a few evaluations to make a mini-portfolio?
I work 30 hours/wk and am paid for 44/52 weeks of the year spread over 12 months. The pay is not great but I think it's fair for the low level of stress and responsibility (compared to when I was teaching:eek: ).

suzysue_2

I have worked as a classroom assistant for 10 years, 3 on a voluntary basis. I'm currently working 16 hrs a week term time only, but this can change at a moments notice.

I have done a BTEC level 2 teaching assistance, which the school funded. I have considered a doing a HILTA, but in my school this would mean not very much more money and you would be expected to take full classes a couple of times a week and possibly take a full class during absences.

My job is to assist teachers and pupils with ICT throughout the school. I love my job, but on occasions it can get you down because; certain teachers can be a little snobbish and bossy, the pay is terrible, in my school you are (well me) expected to do anything, from cleaning to being an ICT technician. :rolleyes:

On the plus side.
I have never had to worry about child care
My place of work is convenient
I adore the children (reason I'm there!)
Each and every day is different.
Most schools will provide training to some degree.

If I was you I would go for the level 2 and apply to your local schools for a placement or voluntary work. You need to be in a school to complete the qualification (correct me if I'm wrong on that one)

Working at the same school as my children attended did cause the odd hic up. As in the teachers wouldn't think twice at telling me what my child had got up (minor incidents) when normally the parent would not be told. But honestly I quite enjoyed knowing what they were up to!
Good luck. Hope I've not put you off!
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