Question for all you teacher/TA's out there!

Abbafan1972

How do you become a Teaching Assistant and what qualifications do you need?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

kingfisherblue

In my area, there are more people qualified as TAs than there are jobs. Generally speaking, most jobs seem to go to people who volunteer in the school, as well as having the qualification up to at least level 2.

Our local college offers TA courses and as a part of them, you need to work with the children on certain tasks, so the courses require you to be working or volunteering in a school. For level 2, it is half a day a week, and for level 3 it is one day a week.

TeaCake

Its a very competitive area, one school in my area only takes on trained (but out of work) teachers in TA roles as the head feels this helps the children learn and achieve better.
You dont have to have them but theres various qualifications for TAs with most schools (again in my area) now expecting level 3 as a minimum. It also helps if you can offer other 'stuff' such as languages, being first aid trained, SEN experience, being good at creating resources etc to give yourself an edge over the over the other people applying for each role.
Ive found that most schools have a number of volunteers helping out who are in the process of doing a course of some kind and most paid jobs will go internally.

TIGs

I have just enrolled onto the "supporting teaching and learning level 2" course at our local college but it is also run at our local adult education centre its a night class and has to include a day and half work placement at a school.
Something the people who respond to this may be able to help me with is, whats best a Cache course or a C&G course?

katie1812

I'm a TA, just finished my first year and I have no offices TA qualifications. I've been in school, sixth form and then uni with no breaks and decided before I do my teacher training I want to earn some money and get some experience. They weren't interested in my a levels or degree as far as them helping me get the job... Just my gcses.

debtmess

I have just finished my NCFE supporting teaching and learning in schools level 3. I applied to my local college 6 months after starting some volunteering at a local special school, was there 18months as a volunteer and applied for a job which I start in September.

Some schools will take TA's without the qualifications I cannot say if I had applied for my job without my course if I would have got it or not iykwim.

nikki702

I start my first paid TA job in September, most applications I have come across require the applicant to have a Level 2 Supporting Teaching and Leaning in Schools qualification and numeracy, literacy qualifications at level 2 or above.

I have completed Cache Level 2 & Level 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools and just finished Cache Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools.

I also completed an adult literacy short course to brush up on my skills as it has been 16 years since I left school

thegirlintheattic

You don't actually need any qualifications but considering in most areas there are more applicants than jobs a TA qualification, like the ones here would be desirable, as well as good GCSEs in English, Maths and Science.

At the moment I'd advise against training as a TA, as you would have to pay for the qualifications with little prospect of a job, especially without experience.

Best thing you can do is volunteer in schools, build up some experience and hope a job comes up.

Labsettings

I'd keep an eye out for TA adverts for 1:1 students - working with a child who has a statement. It's a level one position and that's how I got my first job. I started working with a child with autism, then applied internally for a level 2 position. I got that and they then put me on a supporting teaching and learning course, first aid course, etc. It depends on the area you are in, but it is sometimes hard to find a place. The best times to look are around 4 weeks to the end of term. TA's have to give 4 weeks notice, and most prefer to leave at a holiday if they are staying in the industry (lots go on to teacher training), so adverts can go any time from then.

Showing admin skills helped me I feel, as there is paperwork in the job. Showing you can work with people (not necessarily children at level one) and showing you are happy to try lots of methods until you find one that works!

Oh, and make sure you brush up on your literacy and numeracy skills - don't want to be catching up with the kids!! I worked at a bookmaker before the school, so my maths was pretty good, it was trying to explain my methodologies to the kids I had trouble with, ha.

Good luck!

mynameisclare

I don't know if all councils do it, but my sister is training to be a TA on a scheme where the council pays the fees in return for her volunteering at a school (which is great experience any way).

kingfisherblue

amyjoan wrote: »

I'd keep an eye out for TA adverts for 1:1 students - working with a child who has a statement. It's a level one position and that's how I got my first job.

Not all 1:1 positions with children with statements are level one. My son's statement required a level 3 qualified TA, as did my friend's son. others that I know with 1:1 support require at least level 2, and in my area, they have to have qualifications.