To ask any teaching assistants a question?

[Themoonthestars]

I'm sorry I am posting for traffic.

If you're a TA, how did you go about getting into that role?

I'm currently looking into level 2 courses, however they all require you to either be employed in a TA role, or to have a significant work placement. Minimum 2 full days. Which I can understand why.

There are lots of TA jobs being advertised but all require experience and qualifications.

So where do I start?

I know volunteering is probably a good way to go. My difficulty is I'm already employed in a well paid but non related career, I want a change but it seems I'd have to leave and undertake voluntary work for at least a year.

How do you go about getting a placement in a school?

[PoptartPoptart]

IadoreEfteling - if you have GCSE Maths and English then they accept you straight onto the course. If not, you have to complete a short basic maths & English test. I didn't do it but a few others on my course did and said it was really easy. It's not a GCSE level test, just basic multiple choice answers. It's just to ensure you know the basics in order to complete the course. Don't let it put you off!

[FloweringDeranger]

An introduction to the cash problems in schools can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-38993715 Although they focus on secondary, primary is bring hit too. All the public sector is in big trouble. The tories bleat on about they have raised funding or protected this... couldn't possibly be lying at all could they? What a thing to suggest.

[Giddyaunt18]

I'm a TA of 9 years. Had no quals in this area, just O'levels in Maths and English at C or above(amongst others) but those were specified as being required as a minimum. I used to volunteer to hear children read at my DC's school then got asked to fill in for a TA who was ill for a couple of days. When a temporary vacancy came up I was approached and after that a full time vacancy came up. I have done NVQ level 2 in supporting teaching and learning on the job as it were. I no longer work at that school. Any relevant experience is considered at my school now. That could be helping at a nursery, scout group, child minding etc.and of course parental experience is great. Good luck.

[MissHooliesclassmonitor]

My school asked for O'Levels/GCSEs (grade c and above) in English and Maths, no other experience. I think it is more about your attitude than qualifications and whether the children will feel they can talk to you

[IadoreEfteling]

PoptartPoptart Mon 06-Mar-17 12:54:38

Thank you which course did you do? Thanks.

This was posted over on primary may be of use op?

www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/dfe-drops-gcse-maths-and-english-requirement-early-years-educators

[PoptartPoptart]

I did the NVQ Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (level 2&3)

[MumW]

I tried to get into it a few years and found it impossible despite having years of voluntary experience. Didn't even get one of 4 jobs in the school I'd been volunteering in as well as being a governor. Like you I looked at courses but it did seemed unlikely that it would make getting a job any easier and would have been quite expensive.

You might find a school willing to support you as a volunteer through a course but it will be at your own cost and no guarantees. I know a few people who have successfully done this, but not very recently.
Gaua
I concluded that my best option was teacher training but having seen the stress and pressure put on friends and family who teach decided I was a bit too old to start out. I think it is a hard thing to do even straight out of uni with youth and no commitments on your side, let alone doing it with children and a house to run.

[IAdoreEfteling]

Thank you Poptart

[PoptartPoptart]

I think from memory each course cost about £450 but that was a few years ago now.