Advice for a career change student teacher

[Allthegoodonesareg0ne]

Hi All,
I am 44 and recently finished an OU degree in natural science.
I'm keen move into teaching and going through the process of applying now.
I've found a voluntarily role in a local secondary where I'll do a few hours a week as an lsa.
Firstly, how can I be most helpful? Obviously I'll do as I'm asked but what kind of qualities do you need in your classroom. I would like to actually be as helpful as i can.
Secondly how can I best prepare both to help and for my teacher training. I'm aware that as a science teacher at secondary I'll need to teach all 3 disciplines but obviously at my age its been a while since I've engaged with gcse / a level curriculums in all 3! I'm spending days going through revision and practice books and using bbc bitesize to brush up.
Any other suggestions?

Start learning teen slang. It's like another language. 6-7 ✌️

😂 I have a teen of my own whose giving me an education on this!

These are the websites I have used for GCSE Chemistry / Science
Physics and Maths Tutor - excellent revision revision material
Save My exams - excellent revision material and diagrams - paywall
Cognito Science Videos- On You Tubes. Students really liked these

Look at free GCSE Past papers with Mark Schemes.
Primrose Kitten (I kid you not) has interactive questions which are good.

Royal Society of Chemistry and Malmsbury Education very good GCSE Practical Videos.

Bitesize OK but the above I think are better. My own personal viewpoint

If you have kept your course notes from your OU degree. Have a look at Science Foundation (maybe S104 or S105 - in my day S101)

That's so helpful, thank you so much!

Ask your school if they are willing to apply for funding on your behalf. So a Post Graduate Teaching Apprentice (PGTA) as opposed to you doing a PGCE. You will work as an unqualified teacher and the school provides a mentor. You will be working towards QTS. This means you don't have to pay yourself.

PM me if you have any question..

Thanks so much. They have actually asked me to consider doing teacher training with them. They have a couple of options but have highlighted that as I'm entitled to bursary I should make the most of that.
I feel incredibly lucky to have found such a supportive school to gain experience in and their support in moving onto train with them has been amazing.
I really want to be as valuable to them as they are being to me.
The experience has really highlighted to me just how incredible good teachers are - every day I'm there I learn something new

Thats excellent @Allthegoodonesareg0ne I think they are lucky to have you and you have a fantastic attitude. Good luck!