How to become a TA

[AsLongAsIHaveMyTea]

I am thinking if a big career change and I’ve always wanted to work in a school. I’m good with children and I’m very motivated and enthusiastic. What pathways are there to become a TA in a primary school? Looking online is confusing as there are so many acronyms!! Thank you!

At the moment, apply for any TA jobs going (look on your local authority website in the education vacancies section) attend the interview be pleasant and able to string a sentence together and they'll snap you up!

Ta's are in massively short supply at the moment.

More helpfully, try to get relevant experience EG volunteering in school, running a Cubs group etc.

You can study for qualifications with local colleges whilst working and most schools will be happy to support you and give advice about the best way to go about this. They'll probably already have links with training providers.

You need an accredited qualification - not all online are certified - just a random award.

If you have maths and English GCSE you can apply for jobs.

There’s more to the job than reading with children and art.

Could you take a class of 30 when the teacher needs to attend a meeting? Prep interventions? Support low ability children?
Do you know about SEN and the different techniques needed to help them in main stream school?
Could you support a 121 child with ADH or diabetes?
Could you support children who are emotionally damaged?

Do some research, it’s poorly paid, hard work and emotionally draining.

Thank you for your replies. What qualifications are accredited? I know it will be a demanding job and I’m aware it’s not just reading and art.

Your best bet is to get in touch with a few local schools and ask which qualifications their TAs have and whether they support on the job training. You can also do apprenticeships but of course these are very poorly paid.
Pp is right that it's a tough and badly paid job but a lot of people do really enjoy it and find it rewarding so don't be put off exploring.
Approach schools you'd like to work in and schools advertising local jobs to get more of an idea.

Not all areas require you to have a specific TA qualification. Where I am you just need GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English

I applied for a job. Basic qualifications were gcse passes in English and maths if I recall. I went for the lowest possible level (level 1) and now am a level 3 less than 3 years later. Although this is my school interviewing and passing me for level 3 based on performance rather than training.

Experience working with children would help. An understanding of send is essential.

Type in the national database for accredited qualifications and do a search for what’s offered.

In my area most schools are like this and are struggling to recruit. You could walk into a job tomorrow if you have GCSEs and your DBS comes back clear, in my area. I was a TA with no relevant qualifications (I had a degree but non related) before I became a teacher. Some areas are stricter about this I think but I do think it's pretty bad to ask for qualifications for a job that pays £12k or so per year.

Sorry to jump on the OPs thread, but just so I'm clear, I could - in theory - get a Level 1 TA job without being a qualified TA?
I've worked in schools for nearly 9 years (admin) and am now considering sticking my head around the office door and going into the classroom. I want to start at the very lowest level and work up, rather than qualifying higher and getting a job as a higher level TA as I feel the experience will be more beneficial. But I thought I'd have to qualify as a Level 1 first!

I think all schools are different but I've just started as a primary school TA. No TA qualifications.

I do have an English degree but what they really liked was my experience with children. I'm a mum but I also run a toddler group and volunteer at a local charity pre school.

Don't let lack of TA qualifications put you off from applying..