From TA to teacher

[comfycosy123]

Can you please explain the best and most effective way I can go from being a level 2 TA with 1 years experience to a primary teacher.

I live in Wales, I'm not sure if that makes a difference?

And I would prefer to study part time as I love being in the class room.

Also, a PGCE is very full time. There's no way you'd be able to work and do one. You'd be in Uni/school all day every day and then there are assignments (ten on mine), lesson plans, marking, other paperwork etc. to do when you're at home. It's really intensive.

I'd phone the the right department of the Open University if I were you, I bet they know the best way. How sad that they have cut OU funding so it is costing more for people like you. We need the Conservatives out asap.

I did it - and I start my NQT job in September.

I did a 2 year foundation degree while I was working full time, then did a 1 year "top-up" to get my BA.

I have taken a year off working to do my PGCE, student finance was not too much less than my dreadful TA wages.

It was hard work, but so worth it!

Good luck

That's great Sparkly - well done.

I'm tearing my hair out practising for the skills tests, I'm not sure of the best way to go about it so I'm just repeatedly doing the practice tests and noting which areas I'm struggling with and working on those.

It's keeping me busy until I can submit my application, both the teachers who are doing my references who I did school experience with are away for half term and I'm fretting about all the places being filled up in the meantime.

Good luck with your skills tests - I remember how nerve-racking it was doing them.

Are the real ones easier than the practice ones? I've heard that they are, I hope so!

I've sent my application to UCAS now so it's all seeming more real.

I found the Maths one much easier than the practice one. The English one was about the same.

Good luck - have you booked them yet?

Yes, I'm doing them next week. I'm confident with the English one but not the maths so I'm doing the practice ones daily.

Hope it goes well

I was a TA. Without A levels, but with Level 3 NVQ.I did a part time Foundation degree in learning support for 3 years. Then a part time top up to an honours degree in primary education. Finally a year full time with SCITT to get QTS. Has taken about 6 years in total. Worked full time for the first 5 years and then did teacher training with SCITT full time for a year.

I got student loans to cover it all. When I was full time teacher training I was actually better off financially because the student loan was equal to my wages for the year as a TA but my tax credits increased because student loans are not counted in the assessment.

I am now a very happy and tired RQT!

User have you looked at GAnumerical on you tube? he really helped me with passing the maths skills test.

We have a lot of LETTA students

Thanks for all the suggestions of resources, I'll have a look.

Can i do my PGCE with a foundation degree or will I have to top up to honours ?

You will have to top up to a full degree. I did the foundation degree, then topped up, did it all after school. It counted as a full time degree because the assignments were as intensive as if I was in uni 5 days a week but I only actually had lessons two evenings a week for foundation degree and one for the top up.

How would I Top up exactly and would it o my be a year ?

It would be a year, it's possible to do it at the same time as working at some universities; give your local university a ring and they will soon tell you all the info. Good luck.

My top up to honours degree lasted 18 months part time while I continued to work full time.