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Original poster

Admin or TA work?

26 replies

scoopdewhoop · 26/05/2023 20:06

I have been offered an admin job at my local council for 18.5 hours a week.
I also have an interview at my local primary school for a TA job which is 20 hours a week term-time.
I have a 3 year old and 6 year old and am struggling to know which option to go for.
I work as a TA at the moment but I'm not contracted. I really enjoy having the holidays off but the work can be either really hard or quite tedious and obviously I'm only paid term-time.
I have been studying business and admin online and trying really hard to better myself to get a better job. I am at a bit of a crossroads now - whether to go into TAing and potentially do a PGCE in the next couple of years or go into admin and try and work my way up there or explore different roles within the council.
My husband is the main earner but I do need some sort of part-time job to top up our income.
Please help me decide 🙏

OP posts:
Techno56 · 26/05/2023 20:18

Council. Loads of different opportunities and very flexible (well mine is ..) WFH etc. More room to move up without having to be a teacher which is incredibly stressful!

Spendonsend · 26/05/2023 20:22

I think the council will have more career progession and flexibility.

Turnleftturnright · 26/05/2023 20:29

Only you will know what kind of work you prefer. There is probably more room to earn more in business. The work may feel more rewarding in schools (or not). It is probably more flexible in business, especially council's. School holidays in schools. You may get more of a buzz working in schools but also more stress?

Why only teaching/pgce? Would a Job as a trainee emhp or pwp suit? Or perhaps a masters in one of the allied health professions? A patrol role in a school? Or perhaps accounting exams?

What's more important the potential to earn an amazing salary or enjoying your job? At what cost would one have on yours and your family's mental health over the other?

What other jobs have you done that you have enjoyed or disliked? This often provides a good clue to what you are likely to do well at.

Turnleftturnright · 26/05/2023 20:32

Sorry about the typos it has been a long day!

Shinyandnew1 · 26/05/2023 20:33

What’s the salary difference?

Original poster
scoopdewhoop · 26/05/2023 22:27

Thank you for all the detailed advice! I haven't really thought about the other roles you've mentioned. I've been thinking about teaching as I studied English at uni and it just seemed like the natural progression. 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
scoopdewhoop · 26/05/2023 22:28

Shinyandnew1 · 26/05/2023 20:33

What’s the salary difference?

Need to work it out properly- not much difference from what I can tell!

OP posts:
Stabee · 26/05/2023 22:31

I'd go for council. Loads of opportunities to progress. Pretty good about leave and holidays. Unless you want to teach.

Itsanotherhreatday · 26/05/2023 22:36

Does the admin job mean additional weeks in the holidays? Usually 39 weeks +2 or similar?

Also admin could mean longer days after school finishes?

I wouldn’t go into teaching if you have kids to look after - it’s quite stressful!

I was a TA for 10 years and nobody ever appreciates your efforts.

UsingChangeofName · 26/05/2023 23:26

Is the TA job at your dcs' school ?
How long would the commute be for the Admin job?
What hours do they want you to work the 18 hours over?
Would one mean you paying out for childcare?
What about school holidays - how would you cover that with the admin job ?

Shinyandnew1 · 26/05/2023 23:53

Check what the TA role is pro rata as that can really skew the given salary.

JeandeServiette · 26/05/2023 23:54

If PGCE and teaching was your heart's desire , you wouldn't be asking the question. Go for the local government job.

NeighbourhoodonWatch · 26/05/2023 23:57

What about an admin role in a school?

SchoolShenanigans · 27/05/2023 07:20

Councils have excellent career progression opportunities, I've seen someone go from admistrator all the way up to supporting running a whole directorate.

Definitely the admin job if it's career progression you're after.

Also - TA jobs tend to be very easy to get, do if give the admin job a try and if it doesn't work out, then apply for TA.

SchoolShenanigans · 27/05/2023 07:21

NeighbourhoodonWatch · 26/05/2023 23:57

What about an admin role in a school?

Lack of career progression and very underpaid (especially when you consider only being paid term time).

AssertiveGertrude · 27/05/2023 07:23

Go for the admin job - I work in a school and it’s getting tougher

IdentifyWithNotAs · 27/05/2023 07:31

Council job - loads of flexibility, career prospects and sideways moves are easy if you don’t find it a good fit at first.

Original poster
scoopdewhoop · 27/05/2023 09:36

The admin role is 18.5 hours for 2.5 days a week or 2 and 3 days a week. It's over 2 bases- one a 10 min drive and one a 20 min drive away. It's supporting adult social care (I have worked supporting vulnerable adults before)
The TA role is at my children's school. I love working with kids but see how stressed teachers are and it's put me off teaching tbh.
I have just thought the same thing about doing the admin job and if I don't like it then I could pick up TA work easily next year.
I already pay for breakfast club and after school clubs to be a TA. My partner and I will have to take Annual leave over the holidays to provide childcare though. I'm hoping friends and grandparents can cover the odd few days too.

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 27/05/2023 09:38

The TA role is at my children's school.

What’s the quoted salary?

Saucery · 27/05/2023 09:42

TA contracts tend to be Fixed Term and due to the cuts in school budgets are the first to go when finances start to be squeezed. Even if you are in a 1:1 role you may well find yourself without a job when the child leaves the school (which may be earlier than the end of Yr6).
I would go for the Admin job, personally. It’s supporting an area in which you have some experience and you can always look at TA/route to teaching in the future.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/05/2023 09:44

Council, without a shred of doubt. More flexible, more secure, less stressful, being treated better, opportunities for progression, less chance of being made redundant - seriously, get a job at the council.

DahliaMacNamara · 27/05/2023 09:45

Another factor to consider is school budgets. There may not necessarily be a TA post in a couple of years' time. Obviously none of us can accurately estimate the financial status of the school in question. Though if you did go down the PGCE route, being at the bottom of the scale might make you more desirable.

DahliaMacNamara · 27/05/2023 09:46

A few X posts there with the same thought.

SchoolShenanigans · 27/05/2023 09:47

Whats your priority at the moment? Career progression or convenience?

If career progression/pay, then 100% go for the council. You could be in a senior admin role within a year then a more specialised role within another year or two (I made two promotions within 4 years).

If convenience, then the TA role will be much easier with holiday. Although bare in mind, if you're working part time at the council, you'll only have to cover the days you don't work, so if your partner gets good leave then it's not too hard.

Batalax · 27/05/2023 09:50

It depends how important the school holidays are to you really, otherwise I’d go the council route.

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