Learning assistants

[OrmIrian]

OK. I'm thinking of shifting jobs atm. I've been in IT for 17yrs. 14 in the same company. I'm now in the position where my job is a little insecure and the only way to get another similar job is to commute an hour plus each way which will cause problems with school run etc. So... I want to try something new.

Is anyone here a learning assistant - I was thinking of secondary perhaps more than primary. I know little about it but it appeals to me. Can anyone here give me advice or tell me what they enjoy or don't enjoy about it? What qualifications do I need? I have a degree but not in IT-related subject.

Please.

I'm obviously only guessing what your current salary might be, but I think you'll have a big pay cut to be a TA, I don't think they earn much above minimum wage.

If you've experience in IT and a degree and you want to work in a secondary school you could probably train as a teacher on the Graduate Teacher training scheme, where you train in schools and are paid as you train.

As I understand it they're cying out for people like you.

I am a secondary TA. I enjoy the holidays (obviously), I don't enjoy the poor salary, I enjoy helping the kids & learning stuff myself & dredging up the stuff I thought I'd forgotten. Happy to answer any queries you have as I also changed careers to do this

Thankyou.

perpetua - yes I'm expecting a bit of a salary drop but TBH I'm not getting top whack for my industry because I'm out in the sticks and I only work 30 hrs a week so probably not such a drop as it would be for some in IT. Also not paying for holiday childcare would be a huge help financially and in stress reduction! I don't really want to actually teach TBH - I know it sounds really pathetic but I've had enough work-related stress to last me a lifetime.

Whizz- what were you doing before? Do you regret your change in direction? Did you find it hard to get a job that suited you?

OrmIrian - I was a H&S Manager in industry !
I don't regret the move, to be honest I was pretty miserable - management wanted to change my job away from what I loved doing to something a lot more boring. I don't have the stress levels and pressure that I had which is a great relief on my family as well as me! Job wise, I missed out on a job at my sons primary school but got a job at the secondary school which is also very close. I work 28 hours which means I can still pick up DS easily. The only thing I find difficult is that as you are down at the bottom of the food chain again, you are sometimes thought of as 'just a TA' - but to be honest, I quite like proving them wrong.
A great tip is to try & get a few hours in as a vulonteer - so that a) you can see what it's all about & b) you have something on your CV when it comes to a job.

volunteer !