Working as a TA in primary - routes / advice?

[TeenPlusTwenties]

Short question:

What steps are needed to become a TA as a 20yo?


Long question:

We have suggested to my DD1 (age 20) that she might like to consider a career as a TA. She started a nursery apprenticeship but had to stop after a year before she qualified due to back problems. She's always been really good with children, has 8 GCSEs inc English & Maths & 2MFL and a Level 3 BTEC in something unrelated.

Can 'school leavers' get jobs as TAs or do they all go to ex or potential teachers or older 'Mums' with more experience of life?

Do you need to find a school and volunteer for ages first? Or what? Presumably if she did decide to do this she would need to 'know' she wanted to do it.

Is it different being a 1-1 compared with a full class TA? (Obviously I know the job is different, but are there different routes in / qualifications?)

I'm assuming it might be possible to supplement pay in the summer by e.g. working for playschemes?

Any insight or helpful pointers much appreciated.

[RaininSummer]

An apprenticeship is a good route in for a young person. I teach apprentices doing this (just their Maths and English not the whole thing) and some definitely supplement their earnings with play schemes/respite care/babysitting etc.

Have a look for training providers in your area - most recruit all year but for TAs very often it is the start of term when schools have vacancies.

[drspouse]

We've had a few younger TAs at my DD's school - one younger male TA started out in after school/holiday club (so was "Dave") and then moved to being a TA in nursery (so now is "Mr Smith", confusing for the kids!).
I believe there are others who do it the other way round as you say, TA and then help at holiday club.
My DS has a 1:1 TA and some challenging behaviour. His full time TA role is being advertised and they are asking for level 3 (I don't actually know what that entails but it is a higher qualification than a new TA would have).

[Awning10]

She might want to consider secondary first. We have some young TAs. After a while, she would be in a good position to apply to Primary. She would gain good subject knowledge and experience that would make her a good fit with the Yr 5s and 6s.

[lilgreen]

I’m a HLTA but have been a TA and a 1:1 over the last 12 years. I had 8 O’levels incl English and maths and A levels. I was in banking but after children, I started by volunteering and was offered a job covering maternity leave and from there I haven’t been out of work.I have an NVQ 2 in Teaching and Learning in Schools but this was gained whilst a TA. Life experience definitely does help but if she is good with children I don’t think it matters. You are paid for 12 months a year: 38/39 weeks salary plus holiday so 43 weeks over 12 months.

[lilgreen]

The route is the same whether Class TA or 1:1.

[BrigitsBigKnickers]

My DD is 21 and has very good GCSE and A levels. She has also done quite a bit of volunteering in a special school and spent the summer in a camp in America teaching drama to children and young people with ASD.

She was signed up by an education agency following an interview and got work at a primary school within a few weeks. A Trial day was followed by an initial 2 week contract. They were very happy with her and so the contract was expended for 2 terms. A specific TA course didn't seem to be necessary but I doubt she would have been taken on by the agency without the experience.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

Thank you all, this is really helpful.

Awning I don't think secondary first would work for her, just because of her physical size and the lack of age gap. Also since her 'first love' was for nursery I think 11-16 would be too much of a stretch for her at this time. Why do you think it might be a better route?

[rhubarbcrumbles]

Level 3 refers to an NVQ level 3. In some areas (where they aren't making TAs redundant) schools ask for an NVQ Level 2 or 3.

[BecauseReasons]

Due to education budget cuts, lots of primary TAs are being made redundant at the moment/have already been made redundant. It's not a career path I'd advise anyone to take currently. The ones that are left, IME, are often either one to ones for children with moderate/severe SEN or are doing much of the role of a teacher but without the pay and conditions.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

I did wonder about cuts in Primary Because . I do think she might make quite a good 1-1 though.

[rhubarbcrumbles]

It's the same in secondary, lots of cuts either with no permanent TAs, TAs not being paid when they are off sick and very short term contracts.

[Awning10]

We haven't had any TAs made redundant (secondary) but they have not been replaced when they have left. We have had several young TAs. Some went on to work at Primary, some stayed and became cover supervisors and some went on to do teacher training. I think it can be easier to get a first job at secondary as most want to do Primary. Another way in is to start as a lunchtime supervisor in Primary. I know several people who have done this. As soon as a TA is off sick or leaves then they are often first in line. Another tip is to look at school websites for vacancies rather than the local paper.