To ask for your advice on becoming an LSA/TA

[devadreams]

I'm hoping to find a job as an LSA/teaching assistant in the not too distant future. I have done lots of volunteering in my children's schools over the past few years, and whilst I'm looking for a vacancy I wondered if there are any particular courses people might recommend that would be useful for me in preparation for such a role? I'd love to expand my mind and would quite relish the challenge of a bit of study! I wondered if there were courses related to safeguarding, SEN, child development/psychology for example that I might be able to access and that would really help me in a future LSA role.

Also if anyone has any other useful general pointers or advice, that would be much appreciated!

The TA specific qualifications that are worthwhile are generally for people who are already in post, although some schools may just train you themselves.

In terms of gaining relevant skills and enhancing your application, you could look at the NSPCC safeguarding courses here: learning.nspcc.org.uk/training#course-grid-header
Although you would still be expected to complete the schools safeguarding training when you start anyway, but if you’ve never done any safeguarding training this might be helpful as you’re pretty much guaranteed to be asked a safeguarding question in an interview!

And there are also some online courses in behaviour, understanding autism, mental health and learning difficulties here: www.lincolncollege.ac.uk/search/courses/P20?cf_courses_career_choice=14889

There are also various free OU courses here which may be relevant: www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue

Do you have a particular interest? I have had TAs who are great at display of art, some interested in SEN (look at free makaton if you can find it?) or specialist areas (ASD? Speech and Language?) and some who have a degree in a subject and want to help teach that- very useful for PPA cover.

Know what to do if a child makes a disclosure to you, if a job comes up ask about yr groups you might work in and think about useful skills: phonics or long division?

Hope all goes well, a good TA is worth their weight in gold.

Skigal these are all really useful links, thank you so much! Just what I was after.

We have had trainee TAs have placements at our school doing one day a week in a classroom. I think they have been on Level 2 or 3 courses through the local college-is it worth you contacting your local college directly?

Thanks Queen, I need to give some thought to your question actually. One of my DC has SEN which has given me insight into supporting children with SPD/ADHD. Teaching and supporting him through lockdown has only enhanced all of that to be honest. I definitely enjoy working with children with varying additional needs so this might be an area to get more involved in. My degree was in languages which could be useful too. Lots to think about!

Thanks Appu, I will look into it. Would be great to be ahead of the curve if a role does come up, as well as of course the knowledge and experience some specific training would give me.

As a teacher my advice is start voluntering at a school or apply through an agency.

Both can lead to a permenant job.

Schools I have worked for consider volunters before searching when they have a vacancy.

Agree with pp...agency staff my school has used are often the staff they give future jobs too

Would also recommend the DfE links too :

www.gov.uk/government/collections/primary-school-teachers-useful-information

Our school only employs graduate TAs, but I don't think this applies to a lot of schools.
Most schools offer training when you're in post - so getting a job in a school is key.
I actually got my first TA job at a junior school through doing an OU course (I can't remember the OU code, it was ages ago, but it was a 60 point course) for Teaching Assistants. Anyway, it required a placement at a school, and I did a day a week in my kids' junior school. Then they had a job, I applied and got it. Then I moved to a high school, completed my HLTA training and my degree, moved to another school as an HLTA and have been there 12 years - I love it!

Volunteers at our school have an advantage when they apply for TA posts.

Some schools in our area are advertising for Apprenticeship TAs - I don't know if this happens elsewhere, but then you get a qualification (level 2 or 3) and day release at a local college. The money is far less than you would get usually - but it might be an idea?

DO you already have Level2 / Level 3 ?

Many authorities / schools would make that an 'Essential' to apply in the first place.

To 'top up' - the ability to use Makaton would be a real plus. You can look on the Makaton website (though their training is a lot of money if you are paying for yourself and not in work) but you can make a really good start by learning initial signs. There are lots of families teaching on Facebook and You Tube. I think 'Makaton with Lucinda' is one of the best. You get a sign every day so have a really realistic chance of using them.

Also look at a first aid coarse
Safeguarding
White Rose maths
Numicon
Phonics
Speech and language

If you have a degree why not apply for a teaching qualification?

That will give you more options later

Be aware that being a TA is never secure they are often first hit when schools need to make budgets cuts which is likely to happen following Covid and the pay is not great around £10000 outside of London. Obviously that's OK if you just need a job to fit around the school holidays.

Don't discount secondary schools, especially with a degree in languages, working with teens is very rewarding especially seeing them change from tiny, eager year 7s to year 11s who are suddenly taller than you and able to have very mature conversations and sitting their GCSEs. We don't get the fun sports day and Christmas fayre events though.

The OU has several free course covering being a TA and specific learning difficulties. I did these before my TA interview and was able to talk about them even though they weren't 'proper' courses

Are you interested in teaching, lots of schools like to nurture new teachers through gaining experience as TA first so let them know if you are interested. I started off as a general (secondary) TA, then was given a specific subject, then provided cover for that subject when staff were ill and now I'm an unqualified teacher and the school are putting me through my QTS course.