Is anyone here a school support assistant?

[Greeksummer]

I’m absolutely scunnered with my current job and really like the idea of being a support assistant. A job’s come up and I’m thinking of applying but I’d like a bit of insight if possible?

It would be a drop in wages but I can’t work out what I would actually get every 4 weeks due to the term time thing. Is the pay terrible? Is the job rewarding or is it something you do if you have kids and the hours suit your lifestyle? I’m good with kids and I love the idea of every day being different. I’m just so sick of office work but there’s no point in even applying if the money won’t even cover my bills.

I’m in England but I am a TA and if the terms are the same In Scotland, I work 32.5 hours a week, and am paid for 44.5 weeks a year. That is 39 working weeks and then holiday pay. My salary is split over the year in 12 equal payments.

Thank you @Tulipvase! I’m surprised you get holiday pay as well? That would make a difference as I assumed it would just be the 38 or 39 weeks.

It’s standard I think. I think all employers have to pay a minimum amount of holiday pay.

Do you know what the hourly rate will be?

I’ve always worked full time so have no idea how term time works.

It starts at 11.11 per hour but the advert is for multiple posts over a mixture of primary and secondary schools and it doesn’t specify how many hours a week you’d be working.

That’s pretty much what I earn but we are due a pay rise.

I earn around 16.5 k per year. There is a small amount extra as I’ve been there over 5 years so accrued extra days holiday which is added to my salary as I can’t actually take the holiday.

Doing 32.5 hours as opposed to 30 makes quite a difference to my salary.

my 17 year old earns 68p an hour less than me working at Waitrose……. but I do love my job. Mostly.

It will depend which council. For example Edinburgh is usually 27.5 hours a week. And you get the standard 5.6 weeks holiday pay included and your wage over 12 months. Edinburgh also pay the living wage.

A school support assistant is based in the school office and psa works directly with young people. Part of my role is to manage all support staff in an academy. I have 6 ladies in our office. The pay is the same every month. Our local authority is 100% school support assistants run the school office. Maybe other are different but if you are looking for a change of office work it might not be the best choice!

Honestly, my ladies work their flipping butt's off and they aren't paid enough for the work they do to be honest.

Support Assistant seems to be an umbrella term in my local authority for office based, classroom and nursery assistants but I think most of the vacancies right now are classroom based. It would also be 4 weekly pay so 13 pays over the year.

I’ve applied anyway as I’ve nothing to lose. Thanks for taking the time to reply.