Page 10 | To want a TA job

QuestionAndAnswers1 · 2026-02-12T16:58:25+00:00

Calling all teaching assistants! How are you finding it? Is full time full on? How do you cope with the poor pay - I’m worried it isn’t enough money to justify the work?! Please share any tips or reviews!

neverbeenskiing · 19/02/2026 17:57

QuestionAndAnswers1 · 19/02/2026 15:09

@Sirzy thanks, that’s helpful, and yes I think that’s fair re pay reflecting it.

@VickyEadieofThigh and thanks, I do take your point and was worried as well that I don’t want to compromise too much on my current parenting availability - I want to be realistic and make sure things are going to work out well IF I decide to find out more and look into proceeding down this route and applying for roles. One thing that stung a bit was the “absent when it suits you” comment though. I don’t want to go into too much detail on here but there is a good reason for me needing to be there for one of my children in particular. So I just wanted to be clear, it’s difficult transport logistics and extra challenges.

Edited

I totally accept that you'll have good reasons for feeling the way you do about your childrens school events etc. But in terms of "extra challenges", honestly if I think about our current TA team pretty much every one of them has what could be described as extra challenges. Some have their own school aged DC with SEND, one has a partner with very severe MH issues, some have elderly parents who need a lot of support, some have their own health issues. If they all cited these things as reasons not to be in school then the school simply couldn't function. As a LT we do everything we can to be supportive and I sincerely wish we could do more, but we can't even afford to get supply teachers anymore so "agency cover for TA's" is absolute pie in the sky stuff I'm afraid!

If you do decide to apply for school roles I would suggest calling up and having an informal discussion with someone about what hours and adjustments they can/can't accommodate prior to submitting your application. That way you're not wasting your time.

Shinyandnew1 · 19/02/2026 18:38

QuestionAndAnswers1 · 19/02/2026 15:09

@Sirzy thanks, that’s helpful, and yes I think that’s fair re pay reflecting it.

@VickyEadieofThigh and thanks, I do take your point and was worried as well that I don’t want to compromise too much on my current parenting availability - I want to be realistic and make sure things are going to work out well IF I decide to find out more and look into proceeding down this route and applying for roles. One thing that stung a bit was the “absent when it suits you” comment though. I don’t want to go into too much detail on here but there is a good reason for me needing to be there for one of my children in particular. So I just wanted to be clear, it’s difficult transport logistics and extra challenges.

Edited

The reasons are irrelevant. It doesn’t sound like a job in a school is going to offer you anywhere near the level of flexibility and time off you need.

What about something like a cleaning job during the day, perhaps that’s something where you could work around the medical appointments, transport difficulties and school commitments you’d like to attend?

Walkthelakes · 19/02/2026 21:13

QuestionAndAnswers1 · 18/02/2026 22:57

@Hesma was that all in secondary? What made you pick secondary, and is it easy to move from primary to secondary do you know (as a TA) or would you say starting at a secondary opens up more job movement as you have done? Thank you!

Edited

I think because secondary schools are bigger institutions there are often more opportunities. TAs in my school often pivot to non teaching head of years or inclusion leads. There’s more of a variety of non tea jon posts. We gave specialist literacy and numeracy TAs trained to teach small group enrichments and acTA who specialises in art therapy

BusyMum47 · 19/02/2026 21:54

@QuestionAndAnswers1

I don't know ANY TAs who are able to do drop off & pick up for their own kids who are at a different school to the one they work in. It just isn't possible.