Are you a Teaching Assistant?

[emmatmg]

I'll be starting a course in October to train as one and was wondering what to expect.

The course is only 1 morning a week for 32 weeks so is ideal for me/us and we've only got B&SIL locally to help out(have already asked SIL and she's really happy to help) and as DH will be here for alternate weeks I'll only have to ask SIL to help out fortnightly.

It's bloody perfect

I love to hear from any MNettters who are already in the job.

Thanks

golds, will you start at nvq level 2?

In my college mag it says that this is for people with no experience of working in a school enviroment so you might be able to start at level 3 as you're already there.

I am starting my nvq 2 in September. Am not sure if I want to work as a classroom assistant or on a 1 to 1 with a statemented child.
Like you I feel it will fit in and I already go into my ds's school for about 2 hours a week to help out.
My question is NVQ 2 enough to qualify or do you need to go on and do NVQ 3? Thanks

Sorry to hijack slightly! I am a teacher and just wanted to show my appreciation for teaching/learning assistants. You make such a difference to the children and teacher and are worth your weight in gold!!!!

Thanks littlefish!
It's so nice to be appreciated!
Glad I have been of some use emmatmg.
Now go 4 it!

What kinds of courses are these & does anyone know if you can do them by distance learning ?

Whizzz, I have the email address for the woman running the course, so maybe you could ask her direct.

Not sure if I should post it here, on a public forum though.......do you think it would be ok?

You could CAT me ?
I'm just pondering at the mo.....fed up at work....

Ok, will CAT you now.

it's on it's way.

Emmatmg - Have you got to do a set amount of hours in a school as part of the course ???

Nutty, It says it is eesential for a work placement to be arranged in a school or that you are working in a school for at least one session for level 2 and a whole day for level 3.

Does that make any sense? I've quoted straight from the college mag and it sounds abit odd.

No i think i know what you mean.

It sounds great, good luck

are you thinking about it too?

Erm well not now i don't think cos i am meant to be starting my access course soon.

I looked at it before but didn't pursue it because i wouldn't have anyone to have ds whilst i did the work experiance.

I was told, last time I asked that I would have to do 52 hours experience per year, I currently do 3 hours per week, which takes me above the recommended. I could do more I'm sure if I asked.

I'm just trying to to work out if it will be better for me to do it all in one go(or maybe 2 parts if poss) or spread it over the whole course.

I'll speak to the course tutor and Ds's school on monday and see what they say.

I hope you don't mind me butting in, but I've been thinking of changing career and becoming a TA. Could you tell me the name of the course that you're doing, anyone? I can then contact my local college and find out more about it. TIA.

It's just called Teaching assistant training NVQ level 2&3, then it has a code which is C&G 7327/7237 which I assume stands for city and guilds.

HTH

FOund this one too
B TEC here

Thanks for those, Whizzz and emmatmg.

I'm still thinking about this as DS starts school in Sept & at the mo I work full time. I just don't know whether its too radical a change for me. I work in a totally different career at the moment but am rapidly loosing the enthusiasm that I once had. I feel as though I am being pulled in all directionsin work & home - trying to juggle it all. I don't know whether I'd miss the additional responsibility at work......

Sorry, I'm rambling ! Anyone elses experiences ?