I am thinking of doing a course so I can become a classroom assistant. But I need some advie please?

[steward]

Thinking of training to qualify as a classromm assistant but can't go to college as I can't drive, college is miles away, plus I work luchtime at a school.

I was wondering if anyone knows any good learning sites where by I can do my course work at home around the kids and jobs but still get a qulifications afterwards. Was thinking something like "ICS" od "Open University" but not sure if I can do it at home.

Also is i better to to a NVQ or a BTEC

Please help

I don't have personal experience of these courses but hotcourses.com is a good search engine for current courses. I think you can specify home study courses.

Worth a look.

Good luck.

In my experience schools don't really care about courses (and I've been TA and was also on interviewing panels) but prefer someone with solid school experience, common sense, some general knowledge and sense of humour.

I'd apply for some volunteering in your local schools - the best way to get a job in my very humble opinion.

Thanks for the information. Will look into it further.

thank you

NVQs are usually a part time course and often done in CDCs. There is also sometimes funding for specific levels.

You do need to have a placement at the same time though most schools like volunteers so that wouldn't be much of a problem

thanks for all the help

Sorry to contradict you Farmazon, but certainly in this area, there is no way you would get a job as a teaching assistant without at least an NVQ 2 now. The only people who don't have them, are those members of staff who were already employed when the local authority brought in the requirement. Some of those people have many years experience, and yet, without at least an NVQ 2 , will never be able to go to a different school. We have had several staff in that situation and the only other jobs they could get were outside schools entirely. there is so much competition for TA posts these days that no matter how good and welcome you may be as a volunteer, they won't want to pay you for doing the job without the qualification.

I would say definitely go for it if you can find a course you can do online, but do bear in mind that you will need to complete a placement as part of the course.

Good luck.

Technically you don't necessarily need a speciifc qualification but there are courses such as OCN accreditted ones available which may take place in the community rather than at a college and be a more gentle introduction. They would still require a voluntary placement in a local school and some coursework based upon the experience which in itself is a good thing to have done if you would like to work a school longer term.

The open unversity have courses specifically for teaching assistants (eg E111). Many of the students are already TAs but you can do them so long as you can get weekly access to a school to volunteer in. Other than that, you can definitely do them at home. It might also be free depending on your previous qualifications and family finances.

Can I just give a gentle warning about taking courses offered in the community.
Make sure that the person delivering the course is affiliated with the local college / a large well known organisation.

Myself and about 40 others got 'stung' by a private training provider.

She was sourced and paid by a local charity whose aim is to educate and empower women. They arranged everything it was all legal and above board, she was fully qualified. Free creche provided all work books etc.
We did several course over a couple of years and everything as fine.
We then did the TA NVQ level 3 with her over 2 years. At the end some went on to get jobs, I went to university to do the level 4. When the certificates arrived they were scrap paper, not worth the stamp. All had been forged by the tutor. People lost jobs, I was asked to leave university as no longer qualified. She narrowly escaped a jail sentence, and I personally would still have to be held back if I met her on the street.

All because she was working alone and had nobody checking up on her work.

Steward, I did the Teaching Assistant NVQ level 3 (didn't need to do the level 2 as I had some experience working in a school) and it was 1 night a week 5pm - 9pm.