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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

I'm thinking about training as a class room assistant. Any advice?

8 replies

melodyangel · 07/12/2011 20:39

I have been helping out in the school since September and would like to take on a more formal role. I have been looking into training in the local colleges which would start next September. The courses are CACHE level 2/3.

Any advice would be great regarding courses and personal experiences.

Thanks.

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Rennie12 · 09/12/2011 20:05

It's a lovely job. Very hard work and rewarding but not well paid.
Good if you've got kids because of the holidays.
Also luck of the draw which teacher you work with, but most are lovely anyway.

jamdonut · 09/12/2011 20:13

Totally agree with the above. I did a "helping in schools" course first, and then went on to do a City and Guilds NVQ2 Teaching Assistant course. It was a 32 (34?) week course at part-time evening classes and at least 10 hours a week placement in a school, which I did on a voluntary basis. Be warned there is A LOT of course work /homework to do. Sometimes I wondered if I was ever going to manage to finish the course! However, I was able to get a job in the school I had myplacement in , eventually. I love the job, but the pay is rubbish !!

jamdonut · 09/12/2011 20:14

Thing the NVQ 2 is now called "Support Work in Schools" or something like that...

FairstiveGreetings · 09/12/2011 21:12

You might need a placement during the training so check that the school will be happy for you to train there. NVQ2 Teaching Assistant is quite a specific course with valuable training. You will need to work alongside staff who are happy to provide 'evidence' in the form of witness statements, etc. so make sure you can work with someone who doesn't mind doing a bit of paperwork for you. If you like children, are kind and patient with a good sense of humour and willing to work hard, you will love the job!

UnexpectedOrangeInMyStocking · 10/12/2011 10:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LemonMousstletoeandWine · 10/12/2011 10:52

I've done the CACHE level 2 and 3 course. You will need to do so many hours per week within the school so carry on with your parent helper role. I don't have a TA job but do work in a school (admin) which suits me fine for the moment - at least I have my CACHE qualifications should I ever need to look for another job.

It really is the luck of the draw with TA posts and not many are full time. Some of the girls I did my course with registered with a supply agency and get sent to various schools around the area but not a reliable source of income. There do seem to be more posts round here for Secondary schools than for Primary.

I found the course very interesting and really enjoyed the practical bit working in the classroom.

Original poster

melodyangel · 21/12/2011 23:14

Thank you for the tips everyone.

Not really that worried about full time work. Mainly I want to continue what I'm doing now but with a greater understanding and with more to offer.

OP posts:

aries12 · 22/12/2011 10:28

Poor pay, nice enough job if you like the school environment. Good for family life...decent holidays. Persoanlly, I think a primary school may be nicer to work in than a secondary. ( You do not have to look at all those moody teenagers all day!!)

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