Learning Assistant level 3 Post

[pigletpower]

I am Secondary trained English teacher but have actually had more experience in Special Needs education, PRU's and Primary school.I am 41 years old and ready to go back into a part time job as our youngest has started nursery. An LA post has come up at the school where my son and daughter attend. I have worked there before as a One to One tutor and Sats booster teacher. I do not have an NNEB or learning/teaching assistant qualifications but many years experience.Should I go for it? What may they ask me at the interview?

Yes, definitely go for it. If you obtained your QTS as an English teacher, your qualifications will exceed the requirements, plus your work experience. I am an English teacher with many years' experience, and returned to work after a long break last year as a TA - I went straight to the top of the TA payscale - not that it was very much! Good luck!

Many Thanks Techno! I think I will go for it, nothing ventured nothing gained,eh?! Did they allude to the fact that you were applying for a non teaching post in your interview? If you don't mind me asking? I do want to go back to education but not as a 'full on full time' teacher iyswim. My kids are 15,8 and nearly 4. Any info you could give me would be gratefully received.

Well, I was quite open with them about the fact that I'd obviously had a long break (9 years with the dcs), that I was intending to return at some point in the near future to a 'proper' teaching post but that I wanted to get some current, up-to-date experience in school as a TA first. I sold it to them as a win-win - they got a fully qualified and experienced teacher 'on the cheap' as a TA, I got current experience and an update for my cv, without all the stress of a teaching post. In my case, the job was a temp contract so I was able to be quite clear about wanting to move on at the close.

Sounds like you've got much more more up-to-date experience than I had, though. I should think they'd jump at you. Is it a temp contract? Imo, that would be best, because then you can be quite open about using it as a stepping stone (if you want to, of course).

You will probably be asked how long you intend to stay in the post if you get it - they might be worried you would start and then leave quickly for a teaching post.