Teaching assistant - leaving after 2 terms

[Peanut888]

I'm having to start to look for another job as financially things have changed for me and I really can't afford to stay. I feel dreadful as I've only been there 2 terms and the teacher I'm working for is highly, highly stressed as it is (breaking into tears at least once most weeks). I'm a people pleaser by nature and feel racked with guilt. Do I let HR know in advance that financially it isn't working? I feel really embarrassed having taken the job and am now leaving (id previously worked at another school for 4 years so they didn't need to train me).

Any advice on how not to feel too guilty?

Everyone has changed jobs. Give the appropriate notice and move on.

I say that as someone who works in a school btw

Don't feel guilty.
I was a TA for over 20 years and was going to leave almost every year. I only stayed because of family situation and child care issues. Very stressful, difficult job with dreadful pay and conditions. When I eventually left I was quickly replaced and any guilt I felt quickly vanished.
Good luck in your new job.

I’m not sure why you feel guilty and dreadful. We work to earn money, you need more money than the job offers therefore you need to leave.

I think it's actually more common than you'd think for TAs to realise it doesn't work financially after accepting the role. Job adverts aren't very transparent for what the take home pay is.

Of course you should not feel guilty. Do what is right for you. The teacher being in tears constantly should really be a well-being/resource issue for the school to address. What I mean is it is not your fault.

You need to think about yourself and not fret about other people. They would have no qualms about getting rid of you if they were overstaffed.

Do I let HR know in advance that financially it isn't working?

No, I would find another job (if that’s what you intend to do), then resign from this one.

So true!

Don't feel bad - TAs come and go, and for that salary no wonder. I wouldn't tell them until you have accepted another job and got a starting date.

Why do you feel guilty? Why don’t you feel angry that TA’s get paid so poorly. It makes me mad.

No need to let HR know about the financial aspect but you should have an exit interview with a member of SLT and I’d mention it then. They’ll know you aren’t blaming them for the abysmal pay and it will be on record then (not that it will change anything in the short term).
We are finding we can’t recruit and there used to be 40-50+ applicants for TA jobs. That’s 1:1 posts too - the most vulnerable children in the education system are getting no support or support with no previous experience and training. I don’t blame you for leaving, the pay is terrible. Don’t feel guilty, just follow the resignation procedure.

You may find out that you need to pay some money back- as you are paid over 12 months for 44 weeks but holidays dont fall evenly. So depending on when you leave you get money back or have to pay some back

Thanks everyone. You are right, I have no need to feel guilty.

@Saucery The pay is truly dreadful. I'm now doing a LOT of interventions - I only have 30 minutes each day when I'm not doing interventions, often with the trickiest, most reluctant learners. I really fail to understand how when I'm delivering phonics, maths, reading comprehension on top of safeguarding responsibilities and all the rest that the pay isn't enough to live on!

Do TAs have a union? They should if not as I can't believe how low the wages are. Really difficult job too 😞.
I'm not surprised that many leave tbh.

You are not responsible for how anyone might feel about you moving on. FWIW, TA is often not a permanent job, but a stepping stone or a filler, so teachers are used to people leaving.
Dont say you are going until you have spilled for and been offered another job. As a TA you don’t have to give the same notice as teachers.
In reply to another question, yes, there is a union that TAs can join, I think Unison is the relevant one.

The job has morphed over the years without the pay and recognition it deserves.
When I first started in the late 1990's it was basically helping children with reading, washing paint brushes and general classroom help. Now it is a cheap method of providing the most difficult, damaged children with help to survive in class.
The issue is that historically it is/was regarded as a little job for Mums to earn some pin money.

TA can join the NEU, the only teaching union that let them do so. The wages are dreadfully low for the work they are expected to do.

TA wages are abysmal and won’t improve any time soon, sadly. In many schools TAs are used for teacher cover on no additional money-it’s just cheap supply!

I'm no longer a TA because I can’t afford to earn less than I need to live. Damned if I'm going to feel guilty for choosing not to live in poverty.

Just hand in your notice like anyone else. They won't mind. They'll be used to it.

Unison and GMB as well - makes it slightly less galling when the NEU agree a higher percentage payrise for teachers than support staff (if support staff even get one) every single year and say how well they've done for their members.

It’s the poor pay that I find disgusting, TA’s play such a vital role in our education system. I can understand why you’d be leaving, don’t feel bad.

I'm currently doing my TA training and having second thoughts tbh. I love it but it's really hard, my back is so sore being perched on the kids chairs or sat on the floor.

Of course I knew the pay is awful but now I'm actually training I'm realising how mentally exhausting it is for just over minimum wage (currently paid nothing of course)

What are you going to do for a job if you leave?

It's because it's part time work. How many paid hours a week are you contracted to do?

Oh right is it part time? I assumed they did 38 hours or something