TA courses?

[MamaDuckling]

I know that qualifications are not necessary.... However, I want to do one, and am looking for advice on online course providers.

I have worked extensively with children and young people, in informal learning settings (museums/science institutes).

Now that I've left my job to be SAHM for a while, I'm looking ahead to jobs that will fit around term times, and can fit around our nomadic life!

I've always wanted to work in a school, ideally in a support /SEN support role. Would anyone recommend any specific online course providers? We are currently living overseas so needs to be an online course. I'm sure I could get some experience in my sons school over here to fulfil the placement hours.

I would say that qualifications are absolutely necessary for many TA jobs. My school would not consider employing someone without relevant qualifications, plus English and Maths GCSE or O level. We have a few TAs who don't have these qualifications, but they were employed many years ago.

The Open University are launching a new range of T A courses this year.

Thanks, good to know.

I have excellent GCSE's, A Levels, and an MSc. It's the TA specific stuff I'm looking into qualifications for - the Award/Certificate (Level 3). I'm looking for any feedback on individual course providers....

Oh interesting juanmore (love your user name)!

I do like an OU course. Do you have a link?

Cache is one of the better ones. Level 3 Diploma is the best choice.

Thanks, Ditsy. I've seen that available through a provider called Stonebridge.

I've been looking into similar and have been confused. Would schools accept the online ones then.
I'm worried I would pay out money and get nothing for it because they really want you to complete the college course based ones?

My school wouldn't be terribly interested in a TA with an online qualification. They'd far rather employ someone with vast and (very) recent experience in the classroom.

My understanding is that the level 3 Certificate/Diploma has a placement component - up to around 150 hours that need to be done in a school....

I've many years experience with children (also working in museums), I just wondered if it would help a little and give me an extra edge?
I'm registered with a teaching agency who think I should get work quite easily through them - but still want to apply for more permenant positions.
Don't mean to highjack your thread mamaduckling

Not sure if they have gone live on the OU site yet as they have been in development this academic year. Send them an email about dates.

You must check in the national database for accredited qualifications to make sure your coarse is recognized qualification and not a ' Level 3 CosyKing Award' thanks for the £300

Otherwise it's a complete waste of money

You must check in the national database for accredited qualifications to make sure your coarse is recognized qualification and not a ' Level 3 CosyKing Award' thanks for the £300

Otherwise it's a complete waste of money

register.ofqual.gov.uk