Where to start? Becoming a TA

[Mumto3thatsme]

I’d like to train to be a teaching assistant but have no idea where to start, any advice please?

Hello, are there any colleges near you? Many of them run courses for this. How about asking to volunteer in a school for a start to get a feel for working with children and to gain a bit of experience as a start?

Start off as a lunchtime supervisor and do a college course part time.

Have you checked whether you actually need a TA-specific qualification to work as a TA in your area? I've worked in 3 different schools over several years and don't have a specific qualification.

Volunteer whatever time you can. Experience in the classroom matters more than anything else.

Thanks for your help, I’ve also been recommended to register with an agency whilst gaining qualifications and experience.
I’m having an informal chat with a ht on Monday too so will hopefully come away with more of an idea of what’s expected in my local area.

Some schools take you without experience (mine did) but now I’m working through my level 3 ‘supporting teaching and learning’ course. Mostly it seems to be about experience with kids.

There are lots of free on line courses that you can complete and add to your CV. Open University has several. Things like "supporting young people with mental health, dyslexia, ADHD, safeguarding, autism, adverse childhood experiences", etc. There are loads if you Google.

Check school websites for jobs. You don't necessarily need qualifications. Any experience with young people (Guides, Scouts, etc) will really help. Secondary school jobs may be less competitive than Junior - I've done both and prefer secondary.

As others have said, lunchtime supervising or volunteer reading are good ways in.

Good luck!

Experience and personality is more important then qualifications don’t either volunteer or start as a lunchtime supervisor. Also depends if you want primary or secondary. I work as a subject specific ta in secondary and I had no experience but I do have a degree in the subject.

do so that is meant to read, not don’t