How do I become a TA?

[Nottheduchessoftransiyvaniaaaa]

Just turned 40 and looking for a career change. I would really like to work in a secondary school as a TA but don’t have the first idea as to what I need to do.
I currently work 2 days a week so could volunteer on the other days to get experience but there are so many courses out there, I don’t want to commit to one that’ll end up being pointless. My education went as far as A Levels.
I live in Wales if that makes a difference. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

I would contact schools and volunteer and also ask the schools what is the qualification they look for in a TA - ie would you be looking at general TA course or perhaps one for behaviour or other SEN support role

Thank you, I didn’t think about asking the school.

Many TA courses require a functional skills English qualification (I can't remember if there is a Maths requirement). I suggest contacting local colleges/adult learning centres

When I went to college (13 years ago) to do childcare there was a few courses that would enable you to become a TA but I did cache (L2) then an NVQ (L3) as I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to go in and I'm now a TA in a primary school

I don't know about Wales but you absolutely do not need a qualification to become a TA in many LEAs. Most of our TAs have no official qualification.

Ah ok, so I can just volunteer myself and go from there (after the background check I’m guessing). Great. I’m excited. I’ve been in the same job for 17 years but it has changed so much and is not the job it once was. I’m looking forward to something a bit more challenging. My friends think it’s a midlife crisis...but no....that would be my motorbike

All I would say is do a lot of research. Pay is often advertised as the full salary, but you are pro-rata'd to the 30-something weeks you work, and often only at 25 or 30 hours a week. Not trying to put you off but research as much as you can because it can be really hard to make sense of everything. I was a TA last year in England, no formal qualification although I have a degree.

It's not a great time to being going into TA - ing. The pay is awful, and from what I can see at the moment, schools are getting rid of TAs as much as they can.

Yes, it's certainly not a job you do for the money.

Most secondary schools are getting rid of TA’s; I wouldn’t assume there will be jobs to walk into.

Look at the TES website; it will give you an idea of what’s out there.

I went from being a SAHM straight into the first TA role I applied for. I had no classroom experience and no TA qualifications. I had A Levels and the requisite C grade in Maths and English. I took my degree on a distance learning basis while I was a TA and now I’m an English NQT. It’s worthwhile gaining some classroom experience just to be sure it’s the right job for you and you are right for the job and then just apply. It’s a tough gig at secondary level but very rewarding and an ideal stepping stone to teacher training.

Thanks everyone

Have a look at school website job adverts as they may not advertise anywhere else. A few years ago, you would have been in a good position to get a job at the secondary school I work in but now we have gone down from 20+ to just 5 TAs. I started by being a lunchtime supervisor at a Junior School. I was swiftly recruited as a TA to cover staff off sick (including long term). This then gave me the experience to apply at secondary (which I prefer). Whilst in the job I took a TA qualification that I think was part funded by school. You don't really need this though.

I absolutely love my job - no two days are the same. The money is terrible but it's rewarding, stimulating, fun and downright crazy! Good Luck!