Teaching assistant - how did you get into it?

[aeyzsm]

Hi all
I'm looking for a career change to be a teaching assistant. My end goal is to do my PGCE but we can't afford for me to do it right now, so I'm keen to use my time proactively by getting experience in the classroom as a teaching assistant. I've got a meeting with a local primary school next week to discuss volunteering, and I've also spoken to Stonebridge this morning about starting their online course for the level 3 diploma.

Would really love to hear from any TAs and understand how / where you did your qualification? I understand from looking at available jobs that you have to have one now in order to get a job in the first place?

Thanks very much in advance!

I started out at primary 10 years ago with an NVQ Level 3 in Early Years.
I didn't do any other qualifications. Worked throughout the school KS1 and KS2. I think it depends on the school wether you have a qualification or not. In our school they employed TA's without qualifications.

No qualification. Volunteered for a year in a school. Got a job as 1-1 and then TA. Many others got job from volunteering too. Good luck

No qualification. Volunteered for a year in a school. Got a job as 1-1 and then TA. Many others got job from volunteering too. Good luck

It is very very competitive around here, most TAs are ex teachers, however some schools specifically advertise for graduates who re thinking about teaching later on. That's what you should be looking out for.

I volunteered for a year and was then offered a job. That was 12 years ago. I have no "TA" qualifications but lots of experience. 😉

Are you sure you can't afford to do it? TA pay is appalling and with potential bursary/maintenance loan you might find you're not really any worse off starting studying now.