Teacher to TA?

[Sukistjames]

Anyone gone from primary teaching to HLTA that would be willing to share their experience?
Looking to reduce the workload and stress and my fixed term contract is ending but my school has a vacancy for a HLTA.

[Elpheba]

Haven't done this but considering doing the same once DC are at school so watching with interest!

[Jackyjill6]

Haven't done this, but know lots who have. They all seem happier, but for me, the pay difference is too great.

[ChipsForSupper]

Secondary rather than primary but I did this for a couple of years and it was a wonderful stop-gap solution, especially while I had other family commitments, and, due to teacher shortages, have had no problem returning to a teaching role when it suited me. However, I did move schools - are you sure your school won't just see it as a pay reduction but still expect your previous level of expertise?

[runningoutofjuice]

The majority of the people I know who have done it have found the relief from stress well worth the drop in salary. But whether it will be a long term solution I don't know. Yes, all do PPA and sickness cover and the planning that goes into those lessons. As a long term plan I would be conscious of the difference in teachers' pensions and LG HLTAs' pensions. The latter is pro-rated like the salary. E.g. 15 years of pension contributions = c. 8 pension years.

Regarding salary, although I'm sure you know, it's advertised salary / 52 / 35 to get hourly rate, then hourly rate x hours worked per week x 43 / 12 to get monthly gross pay. In short - never as attractive as first thought!

[deary]

YES!

Pros:
better work/ life balance. I still work far more hours than I'm paid for, but I tend to plan at the weekends (I teach from teacher planning in mornings as ad-hoc cover) then PPA cover that I plan, in afternoons. I have marking in the evenings, but I get as much done in lessons as I can. I'll do some at break and lunch if I get chance.
I teach every child in our school regularly through PPA cover. I love this- I have a relationship with everyone! The children are generally pleased to see me!

Cons:
Money. (I get about £1100 a month take home)
Despite teaching all week, I don't have the same respect as a teacher from my colleagues I don't think.
I'm not part of any year group or phase team.
I'm fairly sure TA's will gossip and report back to the class teacher in some classes. Not necessarily personal, but that kind of classroom preciousness.
Not the same personal development opportunities. Other HLTAs aren't teachers.
Being asked to cover a class for the day with no planning at 8.30am and thinking how much they are saving on supply whilst you are running around trying to find something productive to do with little information.

I'm thinking of looking for a teacher job- I miss having my own class! (Primary obviously!)

[ShepMummy]

Hi all, really interested in this thread as I'm doing some research into the reasons female teachers aged 30-39 leave the classroom, and transitioning to HLTA/ TA/ support/ admin roles has come up more than once. I'd love it if you could complete and share my survey if you fit into this category: docs.google.com/forms/d/1MzfTBUMmFf-PrOgnBO33kLwuUKLuc-0rmqhhcHcCkRQ/edit I need about 200 more responses before the research can be considered "valid". Thanks in advance and good luck with your decisions and next steps.