I am a lone mum who is struggling between parenting (2 kids), job seeking, my current nvq course and my voluntary job at my son's primary school.
My son's school sent all parents a letter telling us about a course that we could do (teaching assistant) if we voluntarily worked 16 hours per week for a year at their school (they made it seem like they were paying for the course). I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to gain a qualification so that I could work - however, job centre didn't accept this course and said that I should still actively search for other jobs.
However, I later found out that the course was free to all people on JSA and the requirement for the actual course was to work voluntarily for only 1-2 days at a school in order to practise my skills and so that they could do an observation.
I have noticed that the school is using me as a slave, they are not helping with any element of my course (questions like: What are the fire procedures in your setting? etc.) and they are putting me in departments that are not related to my course whatsoever.
Meanwhile, i am seeking jobs.
When I asked my assessor what I should do if I find a job and I have to do it, she told me I can leave my setting AFTER she has assessed how I work over there (february 2012), but the thing is, the school isn't making me do what I am SUPPOSED to do, they are just using me as labour.
I am also facing a lot of ridicule and criticism from the current staff there and I am really starting to get frustrated.
I am worried that if I do anything that might upset the school, I might lose the qualification all together and that'd be over half a year gone to waste. I am also worried that the school has my national insurance number and maybe they might make a bad reference for me in the future. I am also worried that my son might be picked on after I leave (trust me, the teachers ARE like that).
What should I do?
Please help...
I have never had any experience working and so this is all new for me... especially school politics...