Any teaching assistants out there?

[WhoeverYouWantMeToBe]

I've always been interested in working with children, and was aspiring to become a teacher til lack of confidence got the better of me. I am thinking of becoming a teaching assistant instead to help me build confidence. Are the wages going to be enough to live on though? I currently earn 17k a year working 40 hours a week, and TA pay doesn't seem anywhere near this, presumably because of the hours? How could I boost my income? I'm single and can't afford to live on less than I have coming in now. If anyone could offer me an insight I'd be very grateful

I'm a teacher, but I know my TA takes home about £550 a month if that helps?

I work 32.5 hours and earn £15.5k.

Is that £15k pro rata?

I work 27 for £10k

I take home about £700 each month working 8.45 - 3.30 each day.

Some TAs boost their income through working at after school clubs or doing weekend work etc

It would be quite a significant drop from your current earnings.

Frusso yes I have a degree in early childhood studies but never completed the honours part at the end, which you need to get onto the pgce. And it now been 5 years since I completed the degree part so it's too late to study for the honours so not sure how I could get into proper teaching now.

Really depends on where you are and the school. Range from 8k to 21k, which is 25-35 hours a week.
Also very highly competitive jobs, and schools can be very picky in their candidates when roles come up.
Where I work, it is in my contract that I can only work outside of school with their permission.

rollon - £15.5k is actual, fte is about £22k I think.

you could tutor at the weekend or occasional evening. or a friend of mine who is a ta works for a nanny agency in her school holidays?

I'm a supply TA but barely work at schools any more as I make 4 times as much per hour giving tuition.

121 TA at 30 hours p/w on £12,000.

Do you have kids? If so salary is boosted by working tax credits, child tax credits etc.

Sen TA top of pay scale now on £21000 32.5 hours

Is that £21k actual?

Yes that's what was on my p60. Special school TAs get sen allowance of 1200 a year which is included. But as I said I have reached the top of the qualified scale.

26 hours - £1036 PM, or £13,700 (can't remember actual figure).
Also as pp said, child tax credit, child benefit and working tax credit on top.
I know TAs to work evenings, weekends, holidays to earn extra as well.

I work PT as a level 3 TA and PT (16.5 hours iirr) as an HLTA (level 4), with some responsibility points as a subject leader.

I work Mon-Thurs 8:30-3:30, though not paid for lunch and morning break. I officially work half day on Friday but claim 1-2 extra hours most Friday afternoons. I also get paid to do 1 one hour meeting a week. Obviously work done in evenings and weekends, or in holidays, is unpaid extras.

My take home pay is around £1000 a month.

I was a secondary school teacher so my pay these days is far lower. Fortunately DH has a well paid job which allows me to do this, which I do enjoy a lot.

That is net pay, pro rata btw