AIBU to apply for a teaching assistant job when I'm not qualified? Do I have any chance?

[orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements]

I need a new job, at least part time, and I really want to do something new.

I fancy teacher training but first I'd like to gain some classroom experience to see if I really like it.

There's a TA job come up at the school my daughter will be starting in September. My son has already been through this school and I went there myself. I genuinely love the school, am very familiar with it, and obviously it will be very convenient for me with my daughter there.

I haven't got classroom experience but I do have experience of working full time in a nursery for two years, and I have a level 3 childcare qualification. This was, however, almost 20 years ago. Other than that, I don't have experience with children other than bringing up my own kids who are 7 and 11.
The school is a junior school, and is years 3-6.

I have the necessary GCSE grades they want and some A-levels.

It lists an NVQ Level 2 for teaching assistants as "desired" but not essential.

Have I got any chance? Is it a competitive industry? How likely are they to hire me without experience and the TA qualification?

Please be honest, but nice 😅

Go for it!

I agree!

Definitely apply! It says "not essential", so they're willing to hire someone without the qualification.

Good luck!

You have a very good chance. Few TAs have the NVQ. Your demeanour and how you interact with the children during the interview is more important.

I'm not sure I've come across many TA's with a relevant qualification, so I don't think it will be an issue. If you want to do teacher training though, the most common routes are only open to graduates. It could be a bit of a dead end.

I was expecting to read you have no experience at all. You stand a good chance with the experience you have listed.
The fact you are known to the school will also make you a safer bet than some who might apply. Good luck.

My main worry is they will laugh me out of the place and I'll have to do pick-ups and drop-offs red-faced for the next four years 😅

But good to hear not many TAs actually have the qualification, that's reassuring!

You stand a very good chance of getting the job, good luck.

Thank you, I am pleasantly surprised by the replies!

Go for it!

It varies a lot by area I think - in some areas these jobs are rare as hen's teeth with so many parents wanting them, but in others it's hard to recruit.

With your nursery experience it's definitely worth a shot. If you don't get it you could look at volunteering at the school. It would give you relevant, recent experience and you'd be well placed when the next role comes up. Quite often in primary these roles go to a parent who's helped in the classroom and impressed. The NVQ is not necessary in most cases, and if you get the job they might even pay for the course for you.

It's worth a try, they certainly won't laugh at you. At the school where I worked many of the TAs were parents who had helped out as volunteers so we knew them. They then went on to acquire qualifications while working.

Go for it, recently I've noticed not many TAs would even have the relevant GCSE's for the subjects they're supporting. It's a relatively underpaid job so normally mums who want to be close to their children apply and stay on!

Oh and I also have a genuine and intense love of reading/writing/words in general. I excelled at English, have an A at A-Level and one of the teachers who taught me is still there and can atest that I've always been an avid reader 😂

Maths not so much...

Would that help? 😅

I would also say to go for it, but try not to get your hopes up, which is easier said than done

Go for it, but if you don't get it, go on supply. It's great for experience and they will take you. It will bolster future Appa and sometimes permanent opportunities come out of supply work.

Just apply, anyone’s entitled to apply for any job they want, good luck.

Go for it. I'm involved in recruitment in a primary school and the last two TAs we have appointed have not had a paid job in a school before but were passionate about the job and the children. Learn about the schools policies and safeguarding protocols/reporting arrangements and make your application personal to the school. Why you want to work there and don't say because it's convenient for your childcare! What you said about loving the ethos of the school would be great.

You definitely have a very good chance, I also have a NVQ level 3 in childcare and worked in nurseries for about 6 years in the late 2000s, I'd always assumed the qualifications would help if I wanted to apply for a job in a school (which I've been considering)

Many TAs where I work don't have teaching assistant qualifications. Most are, or have a long time ago, been parents of children at the school.
You have experience working with children from nursery plus your own experience as a mum. Read up on things like safeguarding and go for it!

Thank you, this is very reassuring. No, of course I won't say that but it has come up at a very convenient time and that will be obvious!
But it's also just a genuinely lovely school and hopefully all my past interactions with the school will show I've always had a good relationship with them.

You have a good chance. I would read the school policy documents that will be on their website, particularly behaviour and safeguarding. Be prepared for 'what would you do in x situation' type questions and prepare your answers using the systems they have in place. Also perhaps a question about differentiating work, your favourite areas ( literacy, emotional support) and any relevant experience around SEN / ALN.

You have nothing to lose! Apply and see what happens!

You've got a level 3 in nursery. They'd lap you up. Absolutely apply

I'm an unqualified LSA. Everyone else in my school is qualified or on an apprenticeship; I was hired on my interview strength and extensive life experience, having never previously worked or formally volunteered with children - so I'd say absolutely apply!

If you think you can do the job, you probably can. I'm good with kids and already knew I was good at supporting EAL, trauma, phonics, ND and had higher English qualifications than many primary teachers. I also knew I could take physical violence while staying completely calm... I've never done a training course as an LSA where I didn't already know more than the content we were taught, despite having no qualifications.

How are you with those areas? I know quite a lot of people in the job, across a variety of schools - everyone is in constant interventions; the role is no longer one of trimming, sticking and general classroom support. Just make sure you know the realities of the job you're applying for and you'll be grand.