Becoming a TA

[Mummyto4888]

Hi ladies,

I’m after some advice. I’m a SAHM to 4 ranging between 9 and 1. When I was younger I always wanted to be a teacher, started the degree, but left as I wasn’t ready, ended up doing an office job until my second was born and have been a SAHM ever since. During lockdown, I really enjoyed teaching my older children, hard yes, but very rewarding and it’s really ignited my passion for working with children once again. I’m looking to start something once my youngest is old enough for nursery (start at 2) and I am think of training to become a TA, I don’t think I will have the time to commit to a full degree whilst my children are so small. I am thinking once my youngest goes to nursery 2 mornings a week I could volunteer in school whilst she’s there, and maybe do a course at home in the evenings along side? Would this work? Any ideas on which course are best? I have all ready completed a TA level 3 course a few years ago, but the accreditation was pulled right before I finished, and basically I got a nice certificate at the end, which is pretty meaningless. I found the course in itself pretty ok to do.

Thanks in advance for any insights ☺️

This is a good strategy, as you know the volunteering is crucial - will the school be allowing volunteers in? I only ask because our school hasn’t allowed parents in for over a year.

Re qualifications, make sure it is an RQF qualification, recognised by Ofqual e.g. this one

www.thelearningcollege.co.uk/product/cache-level-3-award-in-supporting-teaching-learning-in-schools-qcf-qualification-offer/

Best of luck, go for it!

You need an accredited qualification - not a certificate or an award / check the national data base of accredited qualifications

Some courses aren’t worth the paper they are written on!!

Best bet is a local college as there is loads of practical work you need to pass via observation in a classroom - you can’t get a level 3 with out it I’m afraid.

You don't need do any of that

Register with a supply agency and you will be working as soon as the DBS comes through. No need for any qualification. Just sell your prior experience.

@BluebellsGreenbells

You need an accredited qualification - not a certificate or an award / check the national data base of accredited qualifications

Some courses aren’t worth the paper they are written on!!

Best bet is a local college as there is loads of practical work you need to pass via observation in a classroom - you can’t get a level 3 with out it I’m afraid.

You really dont need a qualification.

Yes, you don’t need a qualification. I know quite a few TAs and none have a TA qualification.

You don’t need qualifications. I agree that volunteering in a school and gaining a qualification will make you more attractive though. I also agree with simba too! Register with an agency and you’ll get work. Especially at the moment. Supply staff are like gold dust.

I started work as a secondary ta with no relevant qualifications, although had worked in an admin role at a local college. I did my degree with the OU whilst TAing then school paid for me to do my teacher training too.

Being a TA is fine if you have other money coming in or as a means to teaching, it's not a particularly secure job as it tends to be the first to go when school budgets are tight which I imagine they will be for the foreseeable future.

It depends where you work.

Those without a level 3 qualification work on lower bands, with less responsibility. Those with a level 3 qualification earn more bit are expected to organize and take groups, asses the children and run clubs etc

It does make a difference

Most support staff are highly qualified professions educators, and shouldn’t be dismissed as ‘don’t need qualifications. They don’t just rock up and read with kids.
’

All the TAs I know have degrees. They just don’t have a specific qualification in being a TA.

Thank you all so much for your helpful comments. We’ve managed the last 7 years ok my husbands wages ok, so the need for work isn’t essential, I just know that I’m far too young to never work again, and I want to start thinking about what I’d like to do in the future once my little ones all start education. I do like the idea of an agency, so will definitely look into that. My youngest doesn’t start preschool until next June, so hopefully by then visitors will be allowed back in schools. And thank you re the accredited award, the course I originally did, was accredited when I started and then lost it, just before I completed it, which was very annoying, and I agree the certificate isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. So will definitely look into one that’s a little more well known for when I look to do another one. Thank you xx