How to become a TA

[Youshouldbesolucky]

I have 3 young DC, no previous career (worked as a support worker (MA & LD), from a low income household and left school with few GCSEs due to missed dyslexia and really struggled academically.

I really want a career in teaching in primary schools, however haven't a clue how to get into education for it.

I definitely think TA would be more suited for me while my DC are so young so possibly studying for that first.

So back to the title.. how do you get into being a TA?

Look into college courses in your area and get some experience in a school. Are there any lunchtime supervisor jobs going in your area? If you can't get anything paid, then do a little bit of voluntary work in a school (most schools want reading buddies, parent helpers for trips etc). Some people think they want to work in a school, until they actually experience it (we had someone only last a day). I am totally not saying that is you but schools obviously look more favourably on people with experience. www.tameside.ac.uk/pages/course_info.aspx?x=176758

Do you work now? If not, I would try and volunteer in a school hearing readers and ask if you can do a bit of shadowing a TA.

Then look for roles like lunchtime supervisor or breakfast club which might give a bit more experience alongside your volunteering.

There are courses that run as well.

Do you have your maths and english gcses?