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AIBU?

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Original poster

Low pay for Teaching Assistant ?

117 replies

walker05 · 05/09/2019 16:52

My official title is 'Learning Support Assistant' i'm contracted to do a 37.5 hour week and paid on a pro-rata scale. My monthly take home pay is 1193 per month and i'm on a gross annual salary of 15,870.

I'm one of the 'lead LSAs' and have the job of ensuring that students' medical information is in place, up to date and that measures are put in place.
I carry out a variety of interventions and liaise regularly with the occupational therapist, nurse, parents etc.
Last year I was just classroom-based, and for this new role I have been given a rise of 20 pounds per month.

I feel like this pay is incredibly low for what i am doing, and it works out as below min. Wage.

Do others agree ? I do enjoy the job a lot, staff and kids are lovely, but I feel like I deserve a lot better, especially since I have a Masters and a Degree.
Any other TAs ?

OP posts:
Original poster
walker05 · 05/09/2019 16:53

I know that being a TA is not something you do for the money, but I feel that this is much lower than what I could earn in other schools.

OP posts:
FudgeBrownie2019 · 05/09/2019 16:54

I teach and agree that TA's are paid a ridiculously low sum for the hours, effort and work they put in. My classroom wouldn't function without mine; she deserves twice what she's on.

CatToddlerUprising · 05/09/2019 16:55

Pretty average in London. I was on £12000. A lot of friends are on £15000 with extra responsibilities

xJune88 · 05/09/2019 16:56

I work 32.5 and come home with 950 after deductions I'm top of scale too.. its crap

TheRebelAlliance · 05/09/2019 16:59

A TA isn't a graduate role and so you cant expect a graduate salary

There is no national pay scale- pay varies immensely. Does your LA have a living wage?

Term-time pro rata is an unfair employment system when you don't have the option to work full time. So having a job where you can only work and be paid for 39 weeks stinks- but that is the system.

Do you sign on during the holidays?

£15870 is well above what some TAs are on and 37.5 hours is also much higher- some are employed only for the pupil contact hours- so 25 upwards.

CrohnicallyEarly · 05/09/2019 17:03

Yes, it’s low, but how is it below minimum wage? Assuming you are contracted for 39 weeks plus holiday allowance as seems to be the standard for the type of job, it works out to £9.20 an hour, minimum wage is £8.21 an hour.

cassgate · 05/09/2019 17:04

I am a level 3 ta at the top of my pay scale. I am contracted for 25 hours per week 44 weeks per year. I get just over £11,000 per annum. My hourly rate works out at £9.93 per hour so yours does seem on the low side.

Womanager · 05/09/2019 17:04

You could always look for holiday work (eg summer play schemes or out of school clubs)

Waveysnail · 05/09/2019 17:07

But isn't the benefit having all school holidays off so what 12 weeks a year so your only actually in work for 9 months a year.

TheRebelAlliance · 05/09/2019 17:11

But isn't the benefit having all school holidays off so what 12 weeks a year so your only actually in work for 9 months a year.

No that isn't how it works.

Teachers are paid for 52 weeks but only work for 39 weeks (term time). So during the school holidays they are on leave and not required to work.

Most TA contracts are only for 38 or 39 weeks (term time only) and so during the school holidays they are not on holiday but they are unemployed (not being paid at all)

It is a bit more complex that that as they acquire holiday pay entitlement and different schools manage that in different ways.

Pinkblueberry · 05/09/2019 17:14

I think per hour TAs should be paid more, but at the end of the day you can’t be expected to be paid extra for holiday time in which you’re not working. Some TAs I know who work 8.30 until 3 also have Saturday jobs or find additional work over the holidays. Others are parents who are happy to not spend money on childcare over the holidays so that works out better financially for them as well.

Butchyrestingface · 05/09/2019 17:17

How much more would you think is reasonable, @walker05?

Grasspigeons · 05/09/2019 17:27

It seems low for the extra responsibility between that and you're old role.

Original poster
walker05 · 05/09/2019 17:32

Yes I fully agree, we are lucky to have all these holidays, however are we are not paid for them and this is not our choice.
I have some part-time work but it is on a casual contract, and I work during holidays which helps luckily.
But I still believe that we should be able to live well on one salary, rather than having to take on additional jobs to make ends meet.
I have these extra responsibilities and am still a part-time classroom TA, but do not get anything more apart from the 20 per month.

OP posts:
Anotherusefulname · 05/09/2019 17:33

I am a TA (main role) and Lead Autism Practitioner (additional responsibility) I work 28.75hrs a week. I pick up £955 a month after deductions (including pension).

Sunshineinwinter · 05/09/2019 17:34

Ha I get 300 ish more than you and I'm a fully qualified teacher
Wine it sucks!

Sunshineinwinter · 05/09/2019 17:36

I mean take home pay obviously Grin

Jamhandprints · 05/09/2019 17:37

Yes it is a low wage but schools just don't have any money anymore. Our local school just laid off all the TAs except 3. My kids school only takes apprentices and the school I work in has just cut all extra hours and made us cover lunches too and will probably lay people off next year if nobody quits.
The advantage is obviously the hours and the holidays. So is it worth it for you? If not, go back to your original position.

MillicentMartha · 05/09/2019 17:37

I’m a school science technician, I prepare and order chemicals, biological samples, set up practicals and do demonstrations. I source and repair electrical equipment, am in charge of the radioactive sources. I get almost exactly the same as you, OP for a 37 hr week. It’s shit pay for the work. People only put with it because it works around child care.

MillicentMartha · 05/09/2019 17:47

Oh, and I have a physics degree. Most science technicians I know do.

Amanduh · 05/09/2019 17:52

I agree it’s crap. Some schools now want only graduates as well. I am a QT but worked as a TA for a few years when I wanted to cut down hours (ha!!) This meant covering classes for at least 50% of the week, preparing my own resources, leading intervention groups, and required graduate skills.
TA’s are very underpaid. It’s no longer (usually, I know some do exist) a walk in 9-3 job. Teaching as a profession on the whole is ridiculously underpaid.

Nanny0gg · 05/09/2019 17:54

Are you top of scale yet?

If so, you'll only get cost of living increases.

It's dreadful money but the job appeals to people as it often means childcare isn't required so they accept it. You resign and they'll be queuing up for your job.

And there's no money in budgets to pay more.

dottiedodah · 05/09/2019 17:55

Have you thought of training to be a Teacher ?.Surely as you already have a Masters degree This would be a logical step for you I think .The pay would be much higher for you .The TA posts are the same pay as they dont require further education

WhatsMyPassword · 05/09/2019 17:56

But you work 37.5 hours per week, 39 weeks per year, so that is 1462.50 hours per year.

You earn 15870 divided by 1462.5 hours equals a pay rate of £10.8512821

You are not under or anywhere near minimum wage

Bloomburger · 05/09/2019 17:57

If you take on a job for which you are not paid during the holidays it is your choice.

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