Anyone a teaching assistant?

[Lyndsay131187]

Hello I am currently a primary school teacher and looking to become a teaching assistant. Wondered if anyone is a classroom assistant and how they find it. Obviously I know they are paid a lot less but does it fit in with family life etc. Do you enjoy it?

Yes I was doing 2 and a half days but found I was still doing work on my days off/ late evenings/weekends so was offered a job in EYFS 4 days a week so took opportunity to do something/try something new but just feel I never see my family.

I was going to suggest PT, but otherwise how about PPA cover?

No responsibility of a class, no late nights or planning, but still a teacher's wage.

This is definitely an option but they never really come up and not an option at my current school!

I take home just over £1000pm, and work 8:30 -4pm. I realise this is unusual and in a way I'm trapped where I work because I wouldn't find another TA job with so many hours. I'm part TA2 and part TA3. Even the ex-teachers I work with are TA2, unless they are taking a class on their own when they'll be paid as aTA3which they will have planned for (yes, I know this ist a TA3 remit) and will mark.

The only stress is working with a disorganised or unkind teacher, or having a challenging class on your own (yes, the same class a qualified teacher will refused to teach without a TA) and being expected to be in three places at once when a child needs first aid and another child is being sick, and you're trying to do some Interventions and in the middle of that a teacher will ask for some photocopying. I used to have to pay before and after school clubs for my own DC and when I was on the lower pay scale it was hardly worth me working. I do love the job, but can only do it because DH earns a reasonable amount. If he didn't I'd have to get a job that actually paid enough money to live off. There's no way I'd be a teacher though. That's definitely not worth the amount they're paid!

I was going to suggest PT, but otherwise how about PPA cover?

PPA is all covered by TAs where I am.