TA training - where to start?

[TerribleTiming]

Hi,

I’m looking at retraining as an infants/ early years TA, poss SEN TA. Looking at finding a paid position in about 3 years time. Where do I start with retraining?

Are there decent courses or qualifications to take or volunteer opportunities to gain experience? Do I just email schools? I want to use my three years productivity to be employable at that point.

I have a degree and Maters degree in an unrelated field. From my internet searches lots of courses seem to suggest you need to already be employed in education to enroll, but I don’t really want to have a formal job until my youngest starts yr 3.

Any advice or suggestions very welcome.

You don't need any official qualifications to work as a t.a (but it may make you more desirable than another applicant). The fact you are qualified to degree level should be a good start. What you really need is experience with working in a school setting. I started as a volunteer at my children's school, listening to readers twice a week, helping on school trips, joined the pta etc. Its a foot in the door if a position comes up and you pick up good skills. There are lots of online courses that can help with knowledge but most of them aren't a proper qualification in the end. Your local college should have a formally recognised course. In my area the wages are not great but the hours are perfect with your own children. Good luck.

There are loads of free courses you can do on line - just do a Google. The Open University have several free courses with certificates. Courses on Autism, Behaviour, Phonics, Dyslexia, emotional health, attachment, etc would all be useful. Your degree will make you very attractive but experience with children would also be good. Lunchtime supervising or volunteering is a good way in. Some schools have volunteer parent readers. Or you could volunteer to help at an after school club so that you can show you have experience working with children. I think it can be easier to get a job as a TA in a secondary school and once you have done that, you would be snapped up by any junior school with a vacancy.