Thinking of working on a primary school!

[november90]

And it's a complete change in career for me so just after some advise. I have no relevant qualifications or experience. I'd quite like to either work in the offices or as a TA. I have 2 ds, the youngest being 1 so I'm happy to take a bit of time preparing myself in the sense of doing some courses etc to help me abit don't know where to start! Are there any IT systems I can learn or childcare courses I should do? I'm excited but clueless 🙈 I just need a change!

Most of the TA posts now are 1:1 supporting a child with significant additional needs. School office is highly skilled work.
Are you looking for a job that fits round school/nursery?
Have you ever volunteered in a school?

I'm a school business manager for a primary trust, the roles you've developed an interest in are very different, other than being based on the same building they share very little common ground.
Office roles within schools tend to be highly sought after and recent adverts have generated a lot of applications. The ones that stand out are the ones that have excellent qualifications and current skills in areas such as Google(forms, sheets, classroom).
A good teaching assistant is worth their weight in gold, but most schools funding has been so heavily cut that they cannot afford GTAs for general class support in every class, rather that the GTAs support children who are eligible for a one to one.
I adore working in education (state) but it's a competitive area so my advice is research both posts and then look for training that will skill you up to be a stand out candidate

Oh I see :( thank you for the replies!

Sorry guys my reply was sent when I was half asleep!
After the pandemic and how the schools have worked hard to support our children it's just made me feel like I really want to work in that field. I love children too. I've worked in insurance for the best part of ten years now so lots of admin and system experience but im ready to move on. The school holidays are definitely a big incentive for me of course too. I have never volunteered or work for a school so not sure where to start or even what role would best suit me but I just want to change my career and work somewhere which I can relate to more and feel excited about!

Email a few different schools and ask if they would like a volunteer.

It will stand you in good stead to know which job you would like/ if it's for you.

Its one of the only ways to get a foot in the door.

Competition is fierce for TA jobs

I suggest you find out more about each job and decide which one you prefer - maybe talk to people (on here or irl) who work in schools. Also look at the pay, I don’t know what you do now but neither of these jobs are paid well.
I’ve worked in schools all my life - 20 years as a teacher and now as a TA. Working in a school is great on a good day but it is physically and mentally exhausting. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

You need a foot in the door. Definitely look to keeping your IT skills up to date and finance experience is valuable. This may be your best bet but look beyond your local primary school.
Also keep an eye out for any opportunities to gain experience; our local high school advertises every year for exam invigilators. Some of these posts are to oversee the examinations of children with access arrangements - outside of the main hall etc. It's hourly work but I know of two women who started with this work after long career breaks and are now working more than regularly as TAs.
If you're very flexible, not reliant on your wages and prepared to work in a high school, you will have more chance of getting a position as a TA.

Specialist TA jobs are very competitive and you need relevant experience. It’s not like the old days where the TAs in each class would often be someone’s mum who wanted to help out a bit. They are often provided for children who require 1:1 support and so you need knowledge and experience of SEN. I teach developmental psychology and many of my students work as TAs upon graduating (with degrees in childhood development) before later going on to train as educational psychologists.

I’m not trying to be harsh but I don’t see how you’d have any relevant experience for this type of role. It sounds like you’d be better off going for a school office admin job as you already work with IT systems etc. It’s nice that you’d like to change environments and are enthusiastic, that should stand you in good stead.

@Tickledtrout absolutely agree about a foot in the door. With money so tight and recruitment an expensive and time-consuming business, schools are very risk averse and often go for someone they know.

Have you thought about becoming a clerk to governors? This is something you could do now as well as your current job as usually it's a few evening meetings here and there. Check out your local education department's website/ job ads.

You also have to be prepared to turn your hand to anything – cleaning up sick, unblocking toilets, dealing with sobbing angry children and parents, hours of photocopying - whatever your official job description. Many schools are very short staffed.

I work in a school and was told I got the job because I was very smiley in the interview, nothing to do with my qualifications!

I did this. Definitely the best decision I ever made. However I'd definitely do lots of research first. Are you aware of how much TA's get paid? I work 4 days a week and earn less than £900 a month.

I'd start of by finding a level 2 TA course (a cache one preferably) and volunteering in a school while you do this. A lot of schools won't let you volunteer unless you already have a connection to the school or are studying. I have also done a level 3 TA course and I've nearly finished the level 4. None of these courses effect pay, just gives you an edge when applying for jobs.

Happy to ask any questions you might have.

Definitely volunteer OP, it will help you get relevant experience. I'm a TA now after running, and then selling, a completely unrelated business.

When I had my DC I volunteered at and helped run two baby groups, which got me some experience, then when my DC were at primary and I could have a day off, I'd go in to help for forest school/listen to readers. After we'd sold the business a job came up, I went for it and they remembered me. I didn't, and don't, have any formal primary or childcare qualifications. I've been on courses relating to specific things, but nothing general. I have asked, but I don't think there's the money. Most of the TAs I work with are the same, but highly experienced having done the role for decades. They can teach you a huge amount.

I now work as a 1:1 and generally enjoy it (off with the Not Covids at the moment). I've also been a class TA too up to year 2.
The holidays are great, but the pay is low. It's lovely having time with your DC and not using holiday clubs, but you will also catch every bug going, plus worms and nits unless you're careful.

Be wary that it also can be a career dead end and unstable. Unless you've got another income stream (high earning partner etc) or want to retrain to become a HLTA (also poorly paid for what's required) or teacher that's as far as it goes.

All in, I am glad I am a TA. The children are fabulous and funny, and at present I can afford the financial hit which means I can spend long holidays with my DC.

A number of the TAs at our school start off as dinner ladies, get to know the children a bit and vice versa, end up with a 1:1 support role and presto. Pay is a bit rubbish, but a great way to learn the culture of the school and how to best work with primary-aged children.

Thank you all!
I work PT atm and unfortunately I have to claim UC so the pay drop doesn't concern me too much as it should get topped up! I just want to do something that I feel good about and I'd love to work in early years in some form! :)

When I was a SENCo some years ago, I managed a department of two other full time teachers and 25 TAs. Now there are no SEN teachers and 8 TAs.