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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

Should I do a Level 2 TA course?

39 replies

MissBlacksheep · 28/05/2022 16:43

I am from India. I grew up in Saudi Arabia- studied in a CBSE Indian school. Studied ABCD like A for Apple, B for Bat, C for Cat. Here, in England, they teach phonics which I haven't studied and is completely new to me. I applied for 2 TA jobs recently- in reception- should I go for the interview or do a Level 2 TA course starting in September? I already got admission for the course and have to do a year 1 placement once a week.
If I get the job in reception, will I teach phonics to children or is it the teacher's job? I keep thinking I will get fired for not knowing phonics. I have been watching phonics- fred talk and jolly phonics in YouTube. Jolly phonics is easier for me. Right now, I work as a supply TA. But, only did 7 days as TA so far. What do you reckon- course or job?
I did do my A-levels, BSc and PG Cert here in England. I have been here for 16 years. Any reception TAs out there? What do you do in your job?

OP posts:
DinkyDaisy · 28/05/2022 17:55

Your work as a supply TA will be very useful to you.
I think you have the right approach researching phonics.
That and on the ground experience will probably be more useful than the level 2 course at the moment.
If and when you do a level 2 TA course, please make sure it is recognised. I have wasted time on courses before that are not.
Be careful!

DinkyDaisy · 28/05/2022 17:57

You are likely to lead groups with phonics. Knowing how to say the sounds is important with this.

Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 28/05/2022 21:05

DinkyDaisy · 28/05/2022 17:57

You are likely to lead groups with phonics. Knowing how to say the sounds is important with this.

I can copy the teacher can't I, when it comes to saying the sounds.

OP posts:
DinkyDaisy · 28/05/2022 21:49

Yes, take lead from the teacher. This might help as well:

DinkyDaisy · 28/05/2022 21:52

Reread your op. Sorry.
Course in September sounds good as well.
Getting experience in Reception now will be great preparation too.
Good luck!

DinkyDaisy · 28/05/2022 21:54

Supply work now and course with placement in September?

LondonQueen · 29/05/2022 01:16

You are likely to lead courses without the teacher. Make sure you know how to use them without support.

Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 29/05/2022 06:37

Yes. Supply work now and course with placement in September.

OP posts:
Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 29/05/2022 06:38

Where would the teacher go...lol...seriously will the teacher leave me alone for that long...

OP posts:
Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 29/05/2022 06:44

How do I learn how to use them without support

OP posts:
Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 29/05/2022 06:46

Are you a teaching assistant

OP posts:
spanieleyes · 29/05/2022 08:06

We teach phonics in ability groups across the whole key stage, so instead of 4 classes, we have 10 groups. Some groups are teacher led and some are TA led- including TAs who usually work in KS2 but go to KS1 to lead a group twice a day. All staff, from Executive Head down, have had phonics training and we all take groups at some point!
Of course a teacher will " leave you alone" , you will be leading groups across the day, you may have an adult led group in Reception whilst the teacher is observing the child initiated outdoor activities, you may be working with part of the class whilst the teacher takes an intervention group or you may have the intervention group whilst the teacher has the rest of the class. Flexibility is a key component of being a TA these days!

Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 29/05/2022 08:12

Do all schools provide phonics training?

OP posts:
spanieleyes · 29/05/2022 08:38

Well, they should!
Each phonic scheme has a slightly different approach, in terms of order of sounds taught ( although they are similar in content) and also style of teaching, the teaching sequence used, the " patter" used, the resources etc. One of the key things phonics leads, and OFSTED , will look for is fidelity to the scheme. So everyone needs to be " singing from the same hymn sheet", using the same cues and signals and the same resources. This doesn't happen without thorough training.

ThanksItHasPockets · 29/05/2022 21:06

You are post-graduate qualified and swithering about a level 2 course? Watch some Alphablocks on the iPlayer, take the job, tell the school you’ll need some phonics training.

DinkyDaisy · 29/05/2022 22:02

Unless relevant I find postgraduate qualifications ignored. (Mine are...).
I have done TA courses and irritatingly tick boxey.

Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 30/05/2022 04:44

What happens if you fail the Level 2 TA course? Is it easy to pass? Really scared.

OP posts:
DinkyDaisy · 30/05/2022 06:46

No need to be scared. If you are doing through college and a placement they will lead you through it.
A lot of TAs will not have courses - just experience.
No exams. Continual assessment and hard to fail as tutor will support you ticking those boxes!
I had to step back a bit as answering questions in too much depth for level 2 and wasting my time!
(Level 3 also is ticking boxes but usually cost more money).
Main thing is to follow instructions to avoid frustration and make sure a valid course. If through college and a placement it sounds like it is.

Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 30/05/2022 07:42

DinkyDaisy · 30/05/2022 06:46

No need to be scared. If you are doing through college and a placement they will lead you through it.
A lot of TAs will not have courses - just experience.
No exams. Continual assessment and hard to fail as tutor will support you ticking those boxes!
I had to step back a bit as answering questions in too much depth for level 2 and wasting my time!
(Level 3 also is ticking boxes but usually cost more money).
Main thing is to follow instructions to avoid frustration and make sure a valid course. If through college and a placement it sounds like it is.

Ya it's through a local college.

OP posts:
ThanksItHasPockets · 30/05/2022 08:23

DinkyDaisy · 29/05/2022 22:02

Unless relevant I find postgraduate qualifications ignored. (Mine are...).
I have done TA courses and irritatingly tick boxey.

It’s not so much about the qualifications directly counting for the job; if OP has a BSc and a PGCert then she’s clearly a bright, academically able woman who should be able to pick up the principles of phonics pretty quickly. Level 2 TA courses tend to be aimed at entrants to the role with fewer academic qualifications, perhaps up to GCSE. There’s no reason not to go for the job and make training needs clear to the school.

DinkyDaisy · 30/05/2022 12:20

I have to say I found the level 2 course mind numbing but was paid for so did it.
If I could go back in time I may have chosen a different degree, post grad stuff. Maybe a different path altogether.
But- that's not a story for here!

Original poster
MissBlacksheep · 31/05/2022 06:58

Will the school train me how to do interventions?

OP posts:
DinkyDaisy · 31/05/2022 07:18

I would expect them to at least show you some planning/ tell you what to do before sending you off with children. If you are very lucky you might be able to watch an intervention first- if enough staff.

spanieleyes · 31/05/2022 08:48

Interventions tend to be one of two kinds. Either you follow a scheme, so it will be planned and resourced for you. Or, what we increasingly do is pre and post teaching. So a small group will be taken off by the TA ( or teacher) and go through the basics of the following lesson ( vocabulary, how it fits into prior learning, sequence of ideas etc) so they are well prepared for the lesson. Or, after a lesson, the staff will work with a group who " didn't get it" so they do! In this case, the TA would be expected to be proactive and ensure they know what the children are expected to learn during the session and how to best get it across.

Seashor · 31/05/2022 22:01

TA’s hit the floor running. The expectations put upon them are high.
If you were a student in my class my TA would have you shadowing them. If you were my TA I’d expect you to be competent in following plans and thinking on your feet.
It might sound harsh but it’s true.
From what you’ve written here I wouldn’t want you in my class.