Level 1 teaching assistant courses

[Thankgoditsfriday1]

I'm looking for some advice because I don't seem to be able to find much online about level 1 TA courses/roles (perhaps there is a reason for this though).

I currently work in school admin, have done for nearly 9 years. I loved it until I had a rush of blood to the head and moved schools in September and now I realise I need to get out of the office!

I obviously have school experience but very little in the way of classroom experience. I have done a little bit of 1:1 reading/intervention work and I volunteered at a local primary before starting work, so I assume a level 1 position would be the best place to start.

I have A-Levels, but nothing related to teaching (English, History, Psychology).

Level 1 positions very rarely come up where I live but, from what I have read, I understand that I may be able to do that role without having done a TA course because of my A-Levels. Is that correct? If so, is there anything else I could be doing to make my application look more appealing or stand out more? I work full time at the moment, my request for reduced hours was denied so I can't do a placement alongside work right now. This also means I can't enrol on a course to become qualified as no college will allow you to enrol without having a placement in place.

Any advice would be most welcome!
Thank you

You don't need to start at level 1. The reason I imagine these positions are so rare is that level 1 courses are aimed at people who have not achieved 4s at Gcse.

You already have level 3 qualifications so I would look for a level 2 or a level 3 course/role. And yes, many schools will likely employ you without any TA specific qualifications!

I would go straight to level 3. A much more valuable qualification and regarded higher. To be honest a level 1 is a waste of time, and most people jump straight to level 3 - I’ve taken a glance at my county’s main school staff advertising site recently and many TA posts / early years positions say Level 3 or certainly level 3 desirable.

It will really really depend on the school. Many will be open to no qualifications and many will want you qualified. Would you be willing to do the course on the job? That’s quite a good way in. In all honesty teaching assistants are currently at crisis level - the positions aren’t as gold dust as they used to be but at the same thing many state schools are cutting back on TAs due to costs,

So it’s certainly not absolutely vital to have a Level 2/3 but at the same time do not undervalue what they are worth and likewise what the job entails.

If you can’t get the time out of work to do the placement aspect of the course, state on your application that you are willing to undergo training on the job. Have you looked at online courses or possibly doing placements in the holidays in early years settings? Could be an option.