Teacher to Ta -anyone done this?

[wishing3]

I’m considering switching from a part time primary teacher to a full time TA-maybe level 3 or HLTA position. I am finding teaching stressful but do enjoy many aspects of it and the holidays will fit in well once my two young children reach school age. I feel I might prefer to have to work more hours in school but then not have to think about work so much outside of school hours. Has anyone done this? Any TAs out there-do you enjoy the job add do you find you can switch off and live your life once you leave work? How are your stress levels? Thanks.

Vaguely! I looked at job adverts for full time level 3 and the upper end of that bracket would be a couple of grand per annum less than my 3 days per week teaching. So I could take that pay cut but up my hours and not have the stress so much.

@delilabell This is my dream role. Did you have to have any previous Sen training?
do you do normal school hours and what does your role entail please?

I can’t see how going from part time teacher to full time TA would be better for you. The pay drop! Won’t you find it hard to be directed to tasks rather than directing?

Try another school first w a part time teaching role.

I am part time and this week I worked super hard the 3 days I was there and got all my work and planning done for next week. I am strictly not working on my days off. Could this not be possible for you?

I guess it depends what you want to get away from.

Not in the week because I am looking after my two young children on my none working days. I do work at home but not a huge amount and I feel a bit like I’m sinking because I can’t/am not willing to work lots from home.
It’s mostly about the mental toll. I thought that after school care every day but not for too long if I finished work at 4 might be preferable to my kids to much longer after school care for 3 days a week. I think my partner could do drop offs in the mornings.

Thanks-but if full time it would be the amount posted just maybe not with the pay going out over the summer and more over other weeks?

There’s always such a lot to take into account on a personal level.

But beware dropping your pension contributions too.

could you have a different after school care situation? A child minder for your kids? An after school nanny? If that’s the thing that worries you

I am part time already. So money wise comparing part time teacher to full time ta wouldn’t be such a drop. I think I would find it a relief.

Thanks-but if full time it would be the amount posted just maybe not with the pay going out over the summer and more over other weeks?

Check that carefully, so you don’t get stung on the pro-rata front for not being full time in both weeks and hours. It generally isn’t the amount posted on the advert, unfortunately.

Thanks.
I basically don’t want to give so much of my head space to my job. I find it hard to switch off and am often stressed about something or other relating to it. I’d prefer to be a bit closer to a clocking on and off scenario even if it meant working more days if that makes sense.

Ah. Okay-thanks very much for highlighting that.

I worked with sen about a decade before and have a son with additional needs but no specific qualifications. I start work officially at 8.50 (I get in earlier by choice no pressure) and leave at 3 30 apart from one day a week where we stop til 4.
I work with the complex needs department so do personal care, feeding, meds, sensory work, life skills, community visits, cooking, forest school, pe and nurture (plus english and maths) . I greet the young people off transport in the morning and take them to class for breakfast. I change them throughout the day ,complete sensory circuits, ot, salt. I work with 1:1's in a class of 11 (there are 3 1:1's in my class) . The class is a mix of autism, downs and chromosomal disabilities. Several are violent so although I love my job I've been to hospital several times, been bit and attacked . However I adore my class. I'm very lucky I also work with a fabulous teacher and amazing group of ta's. I think it would be very difficult if I didn't.

I'm considering doing this. I qualified as a teacher but left after a couple of years. Took a job outside schools which was meant to be temporary but now I've been out of teaching longer than I was in it due to Covid and then maternity leaves. The holidays definitely appeal while my children are primary age.

Obviously I don't have any advice, just saying I don't think you're mad or foolish to be considering this.

@Ifyourfondofsanddunes the above answer was for you ☺️

I'm a TA across 2 classes, mainly supporting SEN so I work 1:1 and I love it.
I leave work at work, there's no planning or marking and it's so rewarding, the teacher has the work set out for the day so I just follow her lead.
Agree with others, the money isn't the best but I don't have as much responsibility as a teacher so it's pros and cons

TA's in my SEN school get £1200 a month and work 8.30-4.
They have the option of overtime if they want it either evenings/weekends or holidays as we have resi homes attached to our school so if they want to they can do shifts with our children there to top up wages but have the luxury of picking and choosing hours.

I'm a qualified primary teacher (20 years this year - eek!!) but have been HLTA'ing for about five years now.
The pay is appalling (I earn just over £12 ph) but I am so bloody glad I left teaching. I would never, ever go back. I literally had no life outside of work and my kids suffered.
Up until recently I loved my job, specialising in supporting EHCP children. Busy ("good" busy). Awesome. Rewarding.
BUT... big BUT...
Budget cuts have meant my role has now changed. School have been told no supply cover for staff absences.
So you can guess what I am frequently doing can't you?
Covering classes of 30 with no TA and sketchy planning on HLTA pay.
It's rubbish. It's not what I wanted to do.
I simply don't think being a qualified teacher and HLTA/TA works any more. The expectations on me are certainly very different to that of the other support staff.
I've decided enough is enough and I plan to return to uni in September (part-time) to do an MSc in Counselling Children and Young People. I'm hoping to turn counselling into a ft career from there.
Hope this helps?

PS. Huge pay drop BTW.

I did this and really enjoy my job. I do get asked to do work beyond the level I'm paid for but this is because I work in a small unit aswell as mainstream and I do it because it suits me well.

I do get a bit of pressure to go for HLTA but I absolutely won't. Level 3 and above TAs are really exploited IMO. Often teaching full classes solo but with no TA support because they're only ' delivering' interventions not teaching. It's indistinguishable in terms of dealing with behaviour. I'm currently with a class which has two or three TAs when they are with a teacher but none when they're being taught by a TA. It's rubbish. If you want no stress, don't go beyond level 2 ( I'm not in England- perhaps the contracts are different there).

This is very helpful thank you though I’m sorry it has worked out this way for you. Education is fucked. I hope the counselling course goes well.

Trying to work out if big pay drop to go p t teacher to ft ta-I’m on about £26k per year in my part time role…

I am a SEN TA. I really love my job, it is so rewarding, intense, demanding and stressful at times but I leave it all at work. I don't have any out of hours work to do and can go home and relax after work.
I know a few TAs who were previously teachers and felt the same as you so made the switch.

Our full time take home pay is £1400 per month.

@wishing3 Thanks. 20 years in education and I've never known it anywhere near this bad. My old work laptop went up it yesterday (it's essential for delivering lessons of course) but I'm struggling to get a replacement as IT have said they aren't even being given £30 to repair second-hand ones. No idea what I'm going to do.
Do you think parents are aware how incredibly broken everything is?

@wishing3 I'm now a ft HLTA and earn around £1,200 p/m. So yes, you would be dropping a lot if currently on £26k 😞

What do you take home monthly, @wishing3 ? Our TAs take home about £8-900. It’s spread across the year, so they are still paid the same in the holidays.

How many hours do your TAs work? That seems very low.

I take home £1400 per month which is also spread across the year so I am paid evenly all year round