What role could I do in a school?

[PrincessOfPreschool]

I currently work with small kids (username!) and I'm really passionate about literacy. I love telling stories, getting them into listening and developing conversation. It's becoming a bit much for me as I'm getting older - the kids are 2-4+, and it's high energy! I to need to move up Primary or Secondary but lack a teaching qual.

For older kids, my written language is good: DS (16yo) says I can write like ChatGPT, which is obviously the highest accolade! I wondered about helping with sixth form uni applications but obviously that's not an entire role. Helping in English departments? I wouldn't be good as 1:1.

I know schools don't have much money so I would really need to add some value even for a minimum wage job. Anyone have any ideas?

I’m not sure there is a job that fits that description .

in schools you are either a teacher, classroom assistant or pupils support assistant.
Councils don’t have extra money to offer other jobs.

Do you specifically want to work with the children?

If not, a clerk to governors role involves writing minutes.

Library rhyme time?

In the school I work at there is a 6th form pastoral assistant and ucas lead - that sounds like it could be for you.

Yes @Fearfulsaints. I do specifically want to work with children but I guess it doesn't need to be in a school.

That's what I feared @2chocolateoranges😢

That sounds brilliant. Will keep an eye out for that role.

Is this part of the librarian's job or do they get people in?

Why not become a teacher Postgraduate salaried teacher training | Get Into Teaching GOV.UK

I’m a primary school teacher. You sound like you would be an amazing asset for a school. My suggestion is a TA. Is it possible to volunteer in a primary school to see if it’s for you?

@anniegunToo hard, especially at 52!

Schools won't have the budget - not state schools anyway. You could volunteer for a couple of hours a week at a local primary? Just to listen to them reading? It's very rewarding.

{mention:hopspot}@hopspot,thank you. I'm working at the moment but I have a day off. I could look into it.

How about one of the Reading or children's literacy charities? There are loads around the country, both local and national. Have a Google.

Secondary school librarian?

@Lovelysnoresdidn't even know those charities exist! Thanks so much.

@PrincessOfPreschool how about an Academic Mentor or Learning Support Assistant, or Pastoral Assistant?

Some schools that have reputational issues also need help with marketing, but don't have the money to employ someone.

Volunteers are always welcome. Even secondary schools need help to hear children read.

You could become a classroom assistant in primary - whilst not limited to reading and writing, you would probably get your own groups for spelling and reading to work with. But you'd have to do other subjects as well. Listening to reading would be part of another job, or voluntary. They do some creative writing etc but it doesn't take up much of the day!
My son's school has staff who work closely with UCAS applications, but they have only just started working on personal statements, Year 12. I would assume you'd have to broaden your skillset as it's not a job in itself.
In secondary, you could be a classroom assistant but you wouldn't get a general position, it would be 1:1 for students who specifically need it.
You might be able to become a private English tutor if you become very familiar with the GCSE curriculum and you at least have strong A Levels.

"In secondary, you could be a classroom assistant but you wouldn't get a general position, it would be 1:1 for students who specifically need it."

This is not correct, or certainly not universal. LSAs at my secondary school move between all the children in a class, with specific focus on children with SEN. None of them are 1:1.

Ah ok. That's just my experience but obviously depends on the school. Actually, it is sometimes small groups of children, but usually 1:1.

Might you be interested in specialising in Learning Support?

My DC with autism and ADHD had a terrible time trying to understand what the English Teacher wanted. "Essays" were typically 2 sentences. Simply didn't "get" the point of duscussing the different aspects of meaning in a piece of prose/poetry/Shakespeare so would answer the essay question as perfunctorily and briefly as possible eg "I don't agree because it's unnecessarily pretentious" would be the answer to a 10 mark "discuss to what extent you agree that..." type question.

Away from the classroom in the SEN rooms, the 1:1 learning support person made a huge difference, worked out how to teach reframing the understanding of these questions to be able to write proper answers, and English became a favourite subject.

In our area Rhymetime is usually led by a volunteer.

Do you have any experience of ucas or getting your child into oxbridge? If not, why would anyone employ you? There is no money for this as a full time job, teachers do it for virtually free.