I’m a teacher wanting to become a TA

[TeacherWantingAChange]

Teaching assistant (TA). Really excited about applying for this but my sister whose also a teacher has said TA’s are not treated very well. I have personally always treated TA’s with respect and courtesy but I am a secondary teacher, the job I will be applying for is a primary teacher assistant. Am I making a huge mistake? The pay will be half what I’m getting but zero stress and no working on weekends (or so I’m led to believe).

I'm an ex teacher working as a TA in secondary. Teacher's reactions are mixed but it's like water off a duck's back really a I have mixed opinions about the teachers too.

I am, however, forever grateful to be able to not be a teacher any more.

Very mixed. Depends on the teacher and the role. Most primary TA jobs now are working with children with significant SEND and this can be very stressful and challenging (lack of resources, space and training which you’ll know from secondary). Some teachers leave the TAs to it (usually because there’s another batch of children with needs) or some get really involved. It’s not an easy job and getting more and more challenging. I am in awe of what some of our TAs are doing day in and day out, for very, very little pay.

If it’s a class TA job, just depends on who you’re with like in any workplace I think.

Depends where you go I guess. In my school, the TAs are basically unpaid teachers. Made to plan, prep, teach, mark and assess. Completely filling the role of teacher without the pay, the PPA time etc. Be careful!

I can't believe you'd describe being a TA in a primary school as zero stress.

From what I hear about primaries, you'll not only be required to teach, but you'll also be expected to be physically assaulted and verbally abused by the most difficult pupils and just suck it up.

I've been very lucky and all my teachers have been amazing. I am not a previous teacher but they still value and trust my judgment and talk to me as an equal. There are some teachers in the school that this is not the case with though so I guess it's a bit of luck of the draw

Two teacher friends did it and had no regrets. They did eventually go back to teaching.

But not for years.

Why don't you try going very part-time instead? I earned more teaching two days per week than I would have done as a full-time TA. Obviously still some marking and prep to do, but it's completely manageable when you're only in school for two days!

My friend is a primary TA and loves it.

If it'll give you a better work life balance, go for it. Choose the school wisely though.

I've done both.

Primary TA much less stressful, although if you are an in-class TA a lot depends on your relationship with the teacher - you will be with them day in day out.

Part time teaching still has a lot of paperwork.

I'm neither a teacher nor a TA, but I can't help but query the wisdom of this.

If I were a doctor wanting to move to nursing (not the same, I know), I would totally be expecting fellow nurses and even doctors to come to me when they're worried / stressed / overworked / whatever. Unless you're REALLY firm with your boundaries, it sounds like it could be a bum deal?

@noblegiraffe i didn’t mean zero I meant in relation to teaching it seems like it is. This week for example I am having to deal with parents who believe their child shouldn’t have consequences for 2 weeks in a row without his equipment and no homework. Kids are running riot in my school as they know they’ll just get their parents to make a fuss and teachers have no real power. I’m hoping as TA I will see less if this - am I wrong?

I’ve done both.

Job security as a TA in primary is very low- every budget brings another round of redundancies.

You’ll be expected to do some cover/ marking/ teaching interventions. The only TA jobs available now tend to be in provision for children with EHCPs and the most challenging needs-you should expect to be physically attacked and sworn at.

Thank you everyone. The school is a lovely little boys prep. I have 2 girls so unfortunately I won’t qualify for the fee reduction (I believe it’s 25%) but added benefit is I will get longer holiday so that will be nice as I can attend my kids summer events which I always miss right now. I might be wrong but they seem so well behaved but they’re younger than the ones I teach so this might be a general thing and not related to the school.

I don’t know what to do. I need to give my notice in by 31st September to be able to leave at Xmas.

Has anyone worked at a boys (or girls or even mixed) prep school as a TA?

Our class TAs work very very hard. Most come in early to set up, many work through at least half their lunch break, and I don't think any of them go home on time. They all take their own groups for an hour of phonics teaching each day when they are basically acting as a teacher. Their pay is rubbish. All of them are in relationships where their other half is by far the bigger breadwinner. Or they are young and live with their parents because they can't afford to move out.

Think very carefully. If I were you I'd try to get cover work or a PT teacher role.

In a prep school you’ll probably have a nicer working life than in a state school. It’s a shame the girls’ school don’t have a reciprocal arrangement with regard to fee reductions for staff because then the terrible pay would be worth it!

I would highly recommend working part time. The stress will hopefully be halved as you will be sharing. 2 says is very do-able and probably (especially if you are an experienced teacher) similar or close to a TA working full time.

Definitely try that before giving it up. It might be all you need.

Also, which school you are in makes a massive difference.

Good luck with your decision.

I would be surprised if it is half the salary- likely to be less

If you're talking prep school, it'll be a whole different kettle of fish from a state school, with regard to the TA role. Sounds great to me, if money isn't a problem.

I’m a HLTA. I get to cover classes and have some autonomy though usually teaching from a scheme of work or a teacher planned lesson. But still I enjoy doing it my way. However, I’m not a teacher . If your school know you have QTS they WILL undoubtedly use you !

I've worked with a few TAs who used to be teachers and I can see the appeal.
I work part-time which means I earn more than a TA but only have to work 2 days a week.
Will be a good way to find out more about primary schools too. Good luck

over the course of a long career my teacher friends have done: primary, secondary, college, online, part time, on call, specialty, TA and responsible adult.
currently my once retired best friend teacher is loving the responsible adult role.
based on life circumstances they have some flexibility to shift about.
all jobs come with some issues but do what works for you. no judgement here.

The TAs in our school are treated very well and never leave. We certainly do not expect them to plan or assess as many pp seem to have experienced. They do prepare resources under the direction of the teacher if they are supporting specific children. We do not tolerate any sort of physical attack but sometimes behaviour can inevitably be challenging. Our TAs arrive about ten minutes before the children and are long gone by 3:45. They have a full hour for lunch but are on the rota for playtime duty. They are valued and included in all things. Parents appreciate them and swamp them with cards and gifts at the end of the year. So I think you will have to just see how it goes op, as I think the experience is very much dependent on the school.