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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you judge teacher becoming TA?

43 replies

MumTeach1 · 09/05/2023 23:31

I’m a secondary school teacher. Since having my own children I’ve been doing supply, but now I’m seriously considering applying for TA jobs. I love working with children and want to be in a school environment.

My concern is will schools look down at me if as an experienced teacher (previously head of the science faculty) I apply for TA roles? I just can’t handle going back to teaching and the stress it caused my family. Money-wise I can cope with the drop in pay that I will get as a TA. I can’t handle the uncertainty of supply teaching. Your thoughts please…..

OP posts:
Yazo · 09/05/2023 23:34

I know loads of teachers that have done it and not looked back. Go for it. Its definitely a shame but a reflection on the teaching profession not you.

PensionPuzzle · 09/05/2023 23:36

I have a very similar career profile, have had a bit of a break and now about to start a mat cover teaching job. I'm hoping that I can earn enough of a living moving between mat (or other similar) contracts. More stable than supply but less general shit than being a permanent teacher. Whenever I employed mat cover staff in the past I really just wanted someone that would turn up every day and had been around the block enough times to be able to crack on and make the best of it, develop useful relationships quickly etc, sonim hoping that's the case in this job too!

I'd also look at TA jobs if that didn't come off so no judgement here, I just thought I'd mention what I'm doing in case it's another option for you too.

MissMarplesNiece · 09/05/2023 23:36

I know a couple of people who started as teachers but then changed to being TAs. One was in her 50s & wanted less stress & a lower workload during evenings and weekend. The other did her NQT and decided that she wasn't keen on all the lesson prep etc but still wanted to work in the classroom with kids.

Wtfishappeningandwhy · 09/05/2023 23:37

It is sad that a TA is considered so lowly by teachers that you worry that you would be looked down upon.

Disgruntledpelicanlady · 09/05/2023 23:39

This is really common and not looked down upon at all.
The school I work in has 5+ TAs who are actually qualified teachers

RibbitRibbit · 09/05/2023 23:40

Yep this was me. The school I was at employed TA’s that were degree educated, many were new graduates thinking about teaching or ex teachers or NQT like me. The schools did not exploit us in anyway we clocked off when the bell went and no marking or anything like that. They knew they were getting more bang for their bucks as it were so I don’t think they’d look down on you, many would understand why you’re doing it.

NurseCranesRolodex · 09/05/2023 23:40

They'll snap you up, obv!! Do it

cansu · 09/05/2023 23:41

Be careful that they don't use you to cover classes. They will try and take advantage of your skills while paying you as a TA.

miniaturepixieonacid · 09/05/2023 23:49

I wouldn't judge you at all but I would expect you to end up feeling very bored and frustrated.

I work with a TA who has a PHD. I feel judged by her (entirely my perception/inferiority compex, she's lovely). It works for her complex family life but I don't know if she'll be able to put up with it long term.

Original poster
MumTeach1 · 09/05/2023 23:51

Thank you everyone. Can you give me some tips on what I could say if I get an interview? They will probably ask why I want to make the change etc.

Any TA’s here thst could tell me what was in interview.

BTW I do not look down at TA as one poster said! I am worried that schools will wonder why and judge me for not being able to cope as a teacher. I think most of you understand what I was trying to say so thank you! think that other poster was trying to start something.

OP posts:
Hellno45 · 09/05/2023 23:52

I think the school will just take advantage and use you as teacher while paying you a TA salary.

I worked as a TA in a secondary school. I have a degree in youth work. In addition to working in the classroom I was asked to design and deliver bespoke 1:1 and group intervention. Eventually, I was doing 25 hours of intervention a week and still being paid a TA salary. Maybe I just have terrible boundaries.

Yazo · 09/05/2023 23:54

@Wtfishappeningandwhy I don't think that's how it's meant. A TA job pays 1/3 of a teacher job, not as good pension, training, responsibility, progression..any other industry and people would find it a bit strange but really common in teaching.

Yazo · 09/05/2023 23:55

@cansu they do that anyway qualified or not

Luredbyapomegranate · 09/05/2023 23:56

It’s sad and a waste and all that, but I don’t see why anyone would look down on you?

Hellno45 · 10/05/2023 00:00

@MumTeach1 I would say that you love working with children but that you want a better work life balance so you can be more present in your children's lives.

I was asked about the schools core value and ethos. I was asked my strengths and weaknesses. I did a written test. I was also given scenarios but I'm sure they related to safeguarding issues.

ToWorryOrNot · 10/05/2023 00:01

I would just be honest and say that you’d like to be a TA as it would give you a better work/life balance whilst your children are young, and much as you enjoy teaching it’s all-consuming and you’d like to step back to be able to enjoy time with your children. But you can’t imagine not working within education as that’s where your passion lies, blah de blah blah 😊

Original poster
MumTeach1 · 10/05/2023 00:04

@Hellno45 and @ToWorryOrNot thank you both so much!

OP posts:
TheMadGardener · 10/05/2023 00:09

I was a primary teacher for 24 years. I'm an HLTA now, been doing it for 6 years. I'm lucky enough to be able to afford the drop in salary (mortgage paid off, etc) and it's much less stressful. I do PPA cover so I still get to teach, but I no longer spend Sundays and evenings planning, spend hours filling in spreadsheets with pupil progress data, stay late for staff meetings, write reports, do parents' evenings, etc.

Most of the other HLTAs in our school are also qualified teachers. I find that my experience and skills are valued and no one thinks it is weird to be doing it.

It might depend on your age, in my case I'm in my 50s and see this as a way of winding down into a less high-stress later portion of my career. I just don't have the energy to work the hours I used to and I value my personal time more and spending time with my family - I hardly used to see them.

Piony · 10/05/2023 00:11

They'll be too busy biting your hand off.

Piony · 10/05/2023 00:14

Hellno45 · 09/05/2023 23:52

I think the school will just take advantage and use you as teacher while paying you a TA salary.

I worked as a TA in a secondary school. I have a degree in youth work. In addition to working in the classroom I was asked to design and deliver bespoke 1:1 and group intervention. Eventually, I was doing 25 hours of intervention a week and still being paid a TA salary. Maybe I just have terrible boundaries.

I agree this is a risk.

RibbitRibbit · 10/05/2023 00:21

@Hellno45 i agree but depends on the school, my line manager was really careful about this and would not let other staff in the departments we were deployed in try to take advantage of us, if worried join a union and make sure they stick to the contract. I think they’ll be careful around you than someone naive as you know what a TA should be doing for that drop in salary compared to a teacher or a HLTA.

RibbitRibbit · 10/05/2023 00:22

OP you could also do tutoring on the side. Not sure if they’re still doing the NTP tutoring but that would be good to supplement a TA salary.

JMSA · 10/05/2023 00:35

Wtfishappeningandwhy · 09/05/2023 23:37

It is sad that a TA is considered so lowly by teachers that you worry that you would be looked down upon.

No teacher I've ever worked with has ever looked down on their TA.

Mumtum3 · 10/05/2023 01:10

Quite common and I was always a little envious of them working with kids - who are hilarious and the best part of the job - but not having to deal with the BS. If you can afford it, why the hell not? Good luck! They will all want to recruit you!

Mumtum3 · 10/05/2023 01:12

But make sure your contract is clear about vague phrases like “reasonable other duties” OP - some schools will absolutely take the piss and have pound signs in their eyes when they see an application from a qualified teacher to be a TA, especially with all the budget cuts.

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