Teaching Assistants…

[Blossom4538]

mainstream and specialist SEN - do you like your job. I’m considering part time. Most
TAs I know in mainstream are unhappy in their jobs though! A few in specialist for Autism are happy mostly.

i have a love on my plate personally, but looking at a worthwhile part time job - term time only is a bonus

I loved it, I was a TA in the primary department of a specialist school, it was a challenging role at times but we made a difference to the lives of our pupils and their families.

TA here, in a lovely SEN school. The pay is shockingly poor for the responsibilities and tasks we have and are expected to do. The wage in my view isn't sustainable. However, my school have good sick pay policy and are very flexible when it comes to time off for appointments etc.

Pension pot is more a size of a thimble, than a pot.

Swings and roundabouts all the way.

I loved the work and the kids, but not the way I was treated. I was often in school in excess of the hours I was paid because they calculated my time as per when I was 'needed' eg - you won't be working during registration (though I was expected to be there), or' while the kids are doing quiet reading', or 'while I introduce the lesson after break' (which was the only input I got on what was being taught) etc etc so that's an hour you won't be working during the morning. Then I'd be sent to do photocopying etc during the time I 'wasn't working.'
Was left in charge of a class for half a morning with no notice - the teacher just didn't appear between break and lunch. I had no idea what the lesson plan was and had to improvise.
I was left to devise and make my own SEN teaching materials - at home, using my own supplies.
Turned up one day to discover, with no notice, that I was going on a day trip and would be away till 6. I had two kids of my own who finished school at 3. I'd been told nothing of it at all.

What qualifications are needed to be a TA? Sorry to jump on

Varies but typically GCSE English and mathematics
Not always required if a 1 to 1 SEND TA (Aptitude is more important than qualifications really).

There are L3 qualifications but they are increasingly not required and no longer funded as they were.

The pay is appalling; certainly nowhere near enough to live off.

This! Only works as a second income or with UC top up.

You would find it difficult to rent or get a mortgage on TA pay ( unless you are going for really cheap property) .

An TA in a secondary school. Am a little bored as I've done it for such a long time, but the kids are lovely, my boss is supportive, the hours are fantastic. Pay is pants, but positives outweigh this.

I've done it in primary and secondary. I personally preferred secondary but it was the money in the end. Especially as it is quite inflexible - yes, you get the school holidays off which is great, but it isn't always easy getting random days off or earlier finishes etc. Some schools are flexible but the one I enjoyed the work in most was really rigid. Had to finish at 3.30 (after my dcs got out of school), not easy to get days off for other things. Then the stress of being made to feel personally responsible for the students' welfare and their behaviour...it just wasn't worth it for me in the end.

That said, if money wasn't an issue, I'd probably do it again part time if they let me!

I now do something else in schools which has been really stressful. I am stepping back from that for something less full on. I think that's the key thing if working around your dcs' schedule as I am. It needs to either pay well or be lower key. I've found a few school jobs to be high stress low pay unfortunately