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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

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Original poster

TA voluntary jobs

19 replies

biglips · 10/09/2017 21:48

I sent quite a few emails to the primary schools over the summer but got a few back to say no voluntary jobs atm and I also went to a meeting at one school nearly 2 weeks ago and she said just to drop a email to remind her and she will look if any jobs (which I did..but no reply).

What to do next? As I.like to gain confidence before I start level 3 in TA next September.

Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

biglips · 11/09/2017 09:04

Bump..

Do I email them all again or email that one who I had a meeting with or is it early days?

As just wanna get cracking on

OP posts:

Original poster

biglips · 11/09/2017 12:52

Bump

OP posts:

crazycatgal · 11/09/2017 13:03

Can you contact the college who you are doing level 3 with and see if they can organise you a place?

Original poster

biglips · 11/09/2017 15:12

I'm not starting college till next year.

OP posts:

MargotLovedTom1 · 11/09/2017 15:15

Are you wording requests in terms of wanting a voluntary job, or offering a couple of hours a week to listen to readers, for example?

Do you have children at school yourself?

Original poster

biglips · 11/09/2017 15:56

I mentioned my age and i got 3 children age from 5 - 12. I work part time in a cafe and i have weds off so I'm only available on a weds to volunteer. I mentioned that I'm seeking a voluntary job in teaching assistant.

That's it.

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Original poster

biglips · 11/09/2017 15:58

Maybe I should've of said that I can offer a few hours a week to listen to the readers.

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JPduck · 11/09/2017 16:03

Can you volunteer at your childrens school?

Original poster

biglips · 11/09/2017 16:14

No they won't let me as it may distract my children

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crazycatgal · 11/09/2017 16:20

Even if you've not started the college course they may be able to help you if you email explaining that you would like a placement before undertaking the level 3 with them. As a college offering TA qualifications they will be able to help you get in contact with schools.

Original poster

biglips · 11/09/2017 16:27

Crazy - I never thought they would do that. Worth a try!. Thank you and thanks to everyone else xx

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JPduck · 11/09/2017 16:33

That's crazy! Schools are normally crying out for volunteers. I teach my daughter on supply and volunteer!

MargotLovedTom1 · 11/09/2017 16:36

If that's school policy then I suppose there's not much you can do about it.

When I did a the Level 3 course we were expected to arrange our own school placement, so it's somewhat concerning that you are not receiving any replies.

You could try emailing again, asking if there are any opportunities to volunteer in school one afternoon a week in order to gain experience for your forthcoming Teaching Assistant course. Don't word it in terms of 'voluntary Teaching Assistant jobs', as you're not a TA yet and it wouldn't be a job yet. Make sure your written English is of an excellent standard in the emails. Alternatively, you could phone the school offices, or check on their websites for any information about volunteering policies.

Good luck!

Original poster

biglips · 11/09/2017 19:15

Margot - thanks for your tips, and i will email again.

OP posts:

PurpleDaisies · 11/09/2017 19:18

No they won't let me as it may distract my children

That's a really unusual policy. Almost all volunteers are parents. Just wondering if there's been any sort of bad feeling between you and the school?

Original poster

biglips · 12/09/2017 08:48

no, no bad feeling at all. One of the mums tried to have a placement 2 years ago for the level 3 TA and they said no because of her children are in the same school.

I'll get in touch with my school to see if it's any different now? before i start emailing the other schools, and ill let you know about my school.

thanks all again as i really appreciated it very much.

OP posts:

viques · 12/09/2017 09:00

I think in your shoes I would contact/email the headteacher who you emailed a few weeks ago. Headteachers are wildly busy at this time of year, get hundreds of emails every week and it could be that yours slipped down the list.

Explain very carefully what you are looking for and what you can offer, and as a pp said make sure your written English is impeccable. I am not going to be SPAG pedantic because you are writing on a message board, not making a job application, but there were a number of typos in your posts that would have made me think twice about offering you a placement if they appeared in an email asking for volunteer work in a primary school.

imip · 12/09/2017 19:04

The deputy of my dc school moved to head at another school and I approached him about placement and am doing two days a week alongside the ta course. Any former staff you could approach? They are grateful and desperate for volunteers.

College wanted me to go to dc school but with 4 dc at school and 2 with SN, I felt I was too compromised.

Original poster

biglips · 26/09/2017 14:43

Last week, I re- emailed to a few schools and worded it better and today I got one reply to say that they have got a place for me. I did approach to my children's School last week and they do pe on the Wednesdays so it was abit of a problem to do the reading.

OP posts:

Flip