Teaching assistant distance learning

[ChewyNugget]

Hi there

Has anyone completed a distance learning teaching assistant course and then gone into working in a primary sector school?

I'm a single parent of a 11 month old daughter so enrolling at my local college wouldn't really work for us yet.

Could anyone recommend an online course so I know I'm doing the best one.

Thanks in advance

You would need to have some voluntary experience during the course, to be able to illustrate the theory in practice. Try your local children's centre, they may be able to offer a placement and/or childcare while you do a course or volunteer. Some may even host relevant courses run in the community.

I did a Level 4 course with the Open University (Cert in Supporting Learning in Primary Education), whilst volunteering a couple of days a week at my sons school, then was offered a TA role there. That particular course has been withdrawn but there is a replacement- have a search on their website. It was hard going but brilliant, well worth doing. I got a student loan for the cost over the duration of the course (10 months), but that was back in the days when a module was only £7-800, think they’re a lot more than that now ☹️ So short answer - yes distance learning courses are available, make sure it’s nationally recognised, but you will need time in a placement for some aspects.