If you were a TA/LSA….

[Sarah1834]

If you were a TA/LSA what job do you have now? After working many years in a school I think it’s time I leave. We are increasingly expected to do a lot of “overtime” yet don’t get paid for it. We don’t get paid for the half terms/summer holidays etc yet we are are expected to come in. It seems it’s the culture in a lot of schools. I want a job where I actually get paid for the hours I work but I’m really unsure of where to go next?

I was a teacher rather than a TA, but I work for a children’s charity now and a lot of staff are ex teachers/TAs!
The one I work for is a small, local charity, but a lot of my school colleagues work for charities such as Teach First or The Prince’s Trust and are all very happy!

I work in an insurance company.

Have to say I’m surprised at the number of transferable skills have.

I can manage people because I could manage a classroom.

I can read people.

I can empower people.

I am exceptionally organised - because 30 kids in one class demands it.

I was an LSA in a secondary school way back. I moved into retail for 3 years before starting my teacher training.

I don't necessity get paid for all the hours I do, but I think that's fairly common for any job at my level (Lead teacher, UPS3 with TLR and SEN points).

I’m a nanny now. I was a nanny first, then worked as a ta while my kids were in primary. Went back to nannying when the youngest started secondary school

I was a TA looking after special education needs children. I considered social worker, teacher and nurse and decided on nursing.

Foster carer, I was a TA in a specialist school and now I foster children with complex needs.