Distance Learning - Teaching Assistant

[Popsicle20]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice please. I want to retrain as a teaching assistant - I know the pay is shocking etc. etc. but the heart wants what the heart wants.

Anyway, I am looking to do the Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learnjng in Schools. I would love to do the diploma but unfortunately I work full time and won't be able to do a placement at the moment so I thought the award would be a good place to start.

Can anyone recommend a good distance learning provider? I know the qualification needs to be RQF but im worried about being scammed by a dodgy company.

I am also resitting my maths GCSE free through the local college and I volunteer with Girlguiding.

I do have a keen interest in working with SEN children but I am unsure of there are any courses applicable to that.

If anyone has any more tips on what I could do that would be great.

Thank you!

Hi. A few years ago, I pretty much took the same route as you're planning now. I got my Award online through Stonebridge College (www.stonebridge.uk.com) and eventually did the diploma once I was working as a TA.

SEN work is really hard and something I could never do, so I'm not much help there. However, my school often hires less experienced TAs as 1:1 TAs so you might find yourself in an SEN role anyway.

Good luck!