Talk to me about becoming a teaching assistant

[tartanpyjamas12]

Currently working lunchtimes at a school and considering TA move. I have questions:

• do you have to do a training course first?
• if so, is city and guilds the right one?
• do people become TAs without training?

I’m educated to degree level.

You don't need to do a training course first. There are lots of free online courses that will help... have a look at Open University. Anything about dyslexia, autism, young people and mental health, etc will be useful. Having a degree will make you a strong candidate. Also, any experience with young people... Guides, Scouts, etc. Sometimes, the lunchtime supervising is a way in. Both me and a friend started this way. You could also volunteer to do reading or after school clubs. Also consider secondary - have a look at school websites for vacancies.

Most of our TAs are qualified teachers.

On the contrary, I didn't have any formal TA training. I found job postings that didn't ask for a specific qualifications and just applied. What helped me get a post was visiting the school ahead of application, I think. Good way to get a feel for the people there!

I did have a lot of experience working with children in a different industry but sometimes you can just apply for these jobs.

I’m a TA and landed my job without qualifications, I’m now slogging through my CACHE level 3. So it depends on the school and what they want

Judging by other posts I see, it very much seems to depend on location & individual school. In my school, all are at least degree level, many are pgce/qualified teachers looking for a better work life balance, and some are professional career changers like myself - either looking to embark on qualified status, or have just completed. There are a couple of longstanding TAs who work shorter hours and don’t lesson cover etc, they do 1.1 or help with resources etc., so don’t lesson cover or take part in extra-curricular.