Qualified teacher as LSA?

[MacTweedy]

For various reasons I didn't go into teaching once I qualified, have started in another profession but am now considering a return to the classroom. I'm thinking of applying for LSA/HLTA roles to build my confidence before potentially returning to teaching, but would being a qualified teacher be a turn off for HTs? Would I be mad to apply for these kind of roles?

[Hulababy]

I am a qualified teacher, I worked as a secondary school teacher for 10+ years and then a teacher in adult prison after that. I am now a HLTA in an infant school, having been a TA there beforehand. Definitely wasn't a negative when getting my job - first job I applied for and got it.

IME it is fairly common - at my school there are other qualified teachers working as TAs for different reasons. And in the past we have had newly out of university teachers who have come and worked as a TA for a year or two before moving to their first teaching posts.

[Hulababy]

However, the key regardless of your qualifications will be up to date experience in schools.

[MacTweedy]

See I think I should have done that when I left uni; gone in as a TA. Would I need to do additional qualifications to be an HLTA or would the teaching degree be enough? I'd need to look at getting some in-school experience- I haven't been in a classroom for a few years.
thanks for replying hula

[Hulababy]

No, you are more than qualified if you have a teaching degree.
Definitely get some work experience.

[PosiePootlePerkins]

I'm a qualified teacher working as a TA. I mostly love it, get to work with children but also get to leave it behind at the end of the day. The pay is crap though! And it does depend very much on the school and the teacher you are working with. I haven't needed to get any extra qualifications.

[Lowdoorinthewal1]

Well I burned out on SLT then after a relocation applied for a TA position. They wouldn't give it to me. Basically alluded to the fact that I would be far too bossy and intimidate the teacher. They were probably right.

I did get a less responsible, but specialist, teaching job with the most amazing Head on the planet and she totally rebuilt me.

I think it would be different for you as you haven't taught yet. It would probably be a good way back in, if you really want back in.

[MacTweedy]

Thank you- I'm guessing the jobs will start to come up after easter so i'll keep looking. meanwhile I'll try to get some observation sessions in local schools.

[Allthebestnamesareused]

Jobs for TAs do tend to come up all the time. I would check individual schools websites too.

Many of the TA roles I hear of tend to be filled by ex-teachers nowadays who don't want the stress of being the teacher but like the flexibility of term time working and less responsibility.

[Astro55]

Try going on the supply list - that way you get to know the local school and how they function - then you are more likely to be available when jobs come up and they know how you work