TA agency

[Ami1234]

Hey. Does anyone have any experience of working as a TA through an agency? Would I get 2 days of regular work with one? I would be giving up a full time job, worth the risk?

I am not supply but our school has used a lot of supply TAs recently. Actually, hard to get them sometimes so last term at least, in our area, in demand.

@DinkyDaisy Thanks for replying. I’ve spoken to a few agencies and they’ve said the same thing. It’s still scary isn’t it, the unknown. May I ask what region / area are you?

Sent PM with area.
Change is scary. Been contemplating it myself!

Are you a TA at the moment? I used to have a mix of being class TA/ interventions and 1:1 say half a day. I now tend to support 1:1 Children with complex needs all day. Finances at our school dictate that and I find I am looking outwards as not the same at all schools. I mean other schools around do still seem to have the budget for more support staff. That is not to say that the school I am in is unusual. Increasingly common.

Hard to recruit TAs as well which is likely to benefit you doing supply!

Tight school budgets will mean schools will stretch current staff to the limit before going to supply so - swings and roundabouts!

@DinkyDaisy I am a TA at the moment. That’s why it’s so hard to make the decision to leave regular work.

Are you leaving for flexibility or just a change of scene?
My worry about leaving is that although have major niggles about my current situation I may be jumping from the frying pan into a fire.
On the other hand, it may be good for me to get experience in other schools and see what is out there.
Financially, I am paid poorly but moving to supply makes me nervous as could drop more plus fear of the unknown.

@DinkyDaisy yeh I feel the same as you. Leaving for flexibility and to get a feel for other schools. With agency you can get a feel for other schools before committing to them.