Being a teaching assistant when I am actually a teacher?

[Hebburnisaplaceonearth]

A title says, I am qualified as primary teacher and have NQT year done but no other experience. I have not worked for 3.5 years (have been SAHM). I would like to get back into work, more for the experience than the money. There's no way any school would give me a teaching job right now as I have limited and somewhat out of date experience. Would it be viable to apply for a teaching assistant job?

Yes it would, and you'd be very valued I hope. But why not go for a teaching post? You might surprise yourself and get it!

I think you may be surprised by schools' views on you. You could also try volunteering for a bit to update your experience? That would give you a half term to start applying for jobs too

I was going to do that overthemill - just needed to sort out some childcare for DD, DS starts at school in sept. Loads of jobs have just come up though so I'm tempted to just apply. Why should I be surprised by the schools view on me if you don't mind me asking?
Mineofuseless I just don't feel able to apply- feel too out of touch and lacking in confidence. My NQT year was horrendous.

Sorry was busy! Because I found schools desperate to use me after hardly any recent experience when I retrained at age 52! Maybe because I was cheap but heads seemed to value my experience and general take on kids (as a mum I guess with three kids myself). I had lots of job offers and was very happy until my dd's severe illness forced me to stop.

You need to emphasise what you bring to the school - experience, qualities, skills.

At my dds school there are a couple of ta's who are actually qualified teachers.

One of them has just got the job of part time yr 1 teacher on a job share for September as her little one is starting school and she wants to get back into teaching again.

Thanks for the replies! I've now found out I can't apply for jobs at the moment thanks to a admin mess up in edicati

Oops! Admin mess up in education department, so get volunteering and see what comes up. I think I will go on supply list for both to get experience.

Hi,

I would volunteer for a while to get the experience. You will then be able to apply for teaching posts once you are feeling ready. Find a nice school. I know a teacher mum who had 7 years out (with her 2 young sons) but got her 'foot back in' by helping in the boys school for a year. She applied for a teaching post at the school and got it (part time)!
It is worth volunteering to help your teaching career rather than become a TA.

Don't discount your valuable experience as a mother. Not only dealing with youngsters but also understanding mothers. Part time sounds good until you can get the satisfaction of your own class. Also allows your children to get a little older.