To be worried that someone with no qualifications or experience will be a TA in DD school?

[FusionChefGeoff]

So, was chatting with a mum who I've never met before who is excited she'll be leaving her job of 14 yrs as a receptionist to start as a TA in year 2 in my DDs school in September.

I asked if she's retrained? She says no.

I ask if she's done it before? She says no. But says she's been associated with the school for over 10 years as her kids have been through it so she does know most of the teachers.

I make congratulatory noises for her taking a chance etc etc whilst secretly worrying about how the hell this is a suitable appointment. I stopped asking questions too I'm afraid as I was starting to sound a bit rude and I didn't want to upset her.

And who is going to train her?? Presumably the teacher who by all accounts are drowning already in paperwork etc.

So, is there actually a feasible scenario in which this is acceptable?

Even actual teachers only do 9 months of a PCGE

You can't do a PGCE without a degree first.

There are degree courses which include QTS.

Yes academies can employ unqualified teachers but the reality is that the majority don't, or at least try not to. In shortage areas you may find unqualified or people who trained in a different specialism teaching, but persistent employment of unqualified teachers doesn't happen. Yet.

As a secondary school teacher, LSAs with no relevant qualifications can make my job harder. I don't need an LSA who can speak French, but when an LSA starts "helping" a student by telling them things which are incorrect, that can be difficult.

However, I imagine that all TAs can understand year 2 content with no problem and, like PPs have said, most of the practical learning is done on the job with no problems.

A stunned by the answers on this thread. In all schools I've worked in over 30 years, all TA jobs were highly sought after - you could get 100 applicants. Everyone was qualified to Level 2 at least, but generally Level 3 - those that had been there years had NNEBs (the BEST qualification by far). Some had HLTA qualifications. Am stunned at all these schools employing unqualified staff.

My experience has been the opposite tbh, that TA quals are quite a new thing and there were plenty of good applicants without them.

Yes, I think it must depend on area. My school has a minimum requirement of a level 3 qualification but the majority of our TAs have either a foundation degree or an hons degree in education - we also have a handful of qualified teachers that work as TAs.

Unqualified 'nice mums' can apply for 'welfare assistant' posts and when they have completed a L3 qualification can apply to be a TA

Why would a TA need any qualifications?

So they can be left with a class I imagine.

I don't think TAs need to have any qualifications for the job.

at my dcs school they all have either an nvq3 or a degree in education.

I've worked as a TA. I covered 4 hours of lessons a week and taught small groups, 1:1 SEN sessions and interventions with groups of 6 for spelling, grammar, English and maths. That's why TA's need qualifications. No TA's I know these days are for photocopying/laminating only roles!

Oh and I have a Primary Education degree. Three other TA's in my school have a degree (Law and English) so the 'most ta's are nice mums' bit doesn't fit but anyway...About four of the current staff at my job came in to us unqualified, but have had to do NVQ's on the job. If we hire candiates we think are suitable now, they have to do the NVQ training. On the job training is easy as a TA, it's quick to pick up, most reasonably intelligent people have the skills or ability to handle the role or if they lack knowledge in a certain area, research topics before they teach/assist with them (just like teachers do).

You don't need quals to be left with a class, look at learning supervisors.

Why would a TA need any qualifications?

Words fail me.
Do you have any idea what TAs do ?

I take groups by myself for phonics, literacy and numeracy. I also run the class when my teacher is on PPA.

That's weird. TAs in my area definitely DO all have qualifications. Cannot get a job without them. I looked into the possibility when I was trying to figure out what to do, they won't hire without the right NVQs.

enidblyton1 there must be some call for TAs to have qualifications as there are many different levels of study.

Enid - TA's need qualifications for one of two reasons:

1. To understand the theory behind the practice is very important. It has helped me no end.
2. Due to high demand for TA posts qualifications are really becoming more and more important. Not to mention you shouldn't be left alone with the children unless you are trained to level three.

Incidentally I have a degree in education with a specialism in dyslexia and I am a TA.

It's definitely regional. None of the TAs I have ever worked with in Scotland have had any related qualifications.

Also as others have said the TA role has completely changed we are now leaned on more than ever.
For example I take classes jump in mid session when teacher is called away etc. It's no way just photocopying and gluing.

Just to mention - most of the private schools I know of employ retired university professors. My elder DD up until last year was being taught biology by a guy who supported the team that invented genetic fingerprinting. They don't often go for teaching graduates unless it's for early years or it's a second degree.

Laughs at the unqualified teachers remark. Unless it s a private school as theres slightly different rules every single teacher will be qualified. Ta start unqualified as learn on the job. I know someone whos worked with children in another form and just started working as a ta. They lucky to have her. Yabvu

every single teacher will be qualified

this isn't true, I work with many unqualified teachers, and always have (currently in a LA school)

I was an unqualified TA when I was in uni (not studying Education or anything related either). Having any form of formal qualification would've been wholly unnecessary.

I was volunteering, not being paid.

State academies and free schools can employ non qualified teachers if they wish.

Yanbu

In our school many of our TAs are ex teachers or training to be,most have degrees. There is huge competition for jobs and a very stringent interview process. Stands to reason as ours often teach groups,plan activities to meet targets for individual children with Sen,run intervention programs and need an excellent level of expertise to manage challenging children.

I can't believe the assumption that anybody can do such a challenging job. The pay may well be shite but the responsibility to give all children the best isn't.

Not anymore Londonrach

Re the TAs- I do believe I found out on here some years ago it varies from LA to LA (or these days probably academy to academy).
I think it is shocking that so many schools consider the educating of both the youngest and / or the most vulnerable children is considered so unimportant that nobody needs to learn anything about child development / pedagogy / special needs / etc. before actually being paid to do the job.