Becoming a teaching assistant, advice please!

[MegBusset]

I'm in need of a career change (about to have DC2 but will probably need to return to work when they're 1 or 2) and looking at becoming a TA. I don't have any experience in teaching.

Just wondered what was the best route into being a TA? Is it waiting til the DC are in primary school and volunteering there? Or should I look at studying for an NVQ first? Is it possible to get a TA job without experience or will schools always expect you to have volunteered or done the NVQ?

Advice welcome...

DH got a job as an LSA without direct experience. In fact he had been a builder for the previous 8 yrs. Admittedly he was a qualified teacher but as he qualified 14yrs before and had done little teaching since then I don't know how valid that was.

It did help that he was male. They are in short supply. I guess an NVQ wouldn't hurt as you aren't thinking of applying for a few years.

Thanks. From a quick Google it seems like in order to study for an NVQ you have to be working as a TA first?

Really? That's a bit daft. A neighbour got a job as a dinner lady and has just applied for a TA post. I think that being known to the school helps a lot.

Yes, I imagine it would help. DS is only two so will be a couple of years before he's school age, I'd hoped to get a bit of a head start before then!

It's all about the skills you can bring to the post - e.g. when I got a job as a TA in a secondary school they hired 2 of us at once. I was chosen because I had a degree and an interest in teaching, the other lady was chosen because although she had no education past o levels she was a known face in the local community. We both brought very different skills to the role - she was brilliant with the children with behavioural difficulties, whilst I found one to one tuition and support was my strength.

Ideally you will have experience working with children of the relevant age group and actually care about education. Enthusiasm goes a very long way

It depends on whereabouts you live too - round where I live there is HUGE competition for TA jobs - without NVQs and a lot of experience you wouldn't have a hope. In our primary school most of the permanent TAs started off as meal time assistants and/or volunteers, did college courses to get their NVQs and eventually worked their way into full time jobs. Several are qualified primary teachers. This is fairly typical for our area. I don't want to put you off - your area may be different but getting a foot in the door by volunteering is a prerequisite IME. As far as the NVQ goes, you need to be working as a TA to do it because of the nature of the course - they can't assess you otherwise - but you would probably be able to find a school to let you work on a volunteer basis while doing the course.

Thanks -- this is a long-term plan so I don't mind putting in the hours volunteering, but probably wouldn't be able to do that til both DC are in school.

It would help your evidence file to be based in a school if you are doing an NVQ. I did a NVQ3 in Childcare learning and Development whilst working at a local nursery (paid) and that got me a job as a pupil specific TA.

But I second volunteering as much as poss, make your self indispensible.

Does it have to be primary? There are TA in secondary schools. Ypu don't need any formal nvqs - just an interest in education.

Just to say I have been thinking about working in a school for sometime now as a LSA / TA and as my youngest is now at nursery most mornings. I approached my DD1's Headteacher (Infants) today for advice in training.

She said the best way was to volenteer in a class for one or two mornings a week to see if I liked it / they liked me.

She has taken on others part - time in this way and once you are in employment the training is free.

I also plan to do the same at my DS1's school (Primary)so fingers crossed

I have just started working as a TA in an infant school. I suport the whole class but specifially 6 children with an IEP and ficus mainly on literacy. I also coordinate and run a study support group, focusing on literacy, in a morning

Admittedly I am a qualified teacher. Howwever I am secondary trained, and in ICT/Business. I hadn't taught for over 3 years, having spent the last 3 years as an advice and guidance worker in a male prison. I have no Literacy teaching experience either.

However what I did do was volunteer as much as possible at my DD's infant school. I ended up doing 2-3 days a week there for a couple of terms and loved it. Infact I still go there two afternoons a week (I work as a TA 5 mornings). I helped out in class rooms with pupils, did all manner of subject areas, listenerd to readers, helped on trips, did playground duties to watch the children at play, did mounting of pictures, etc. Lots and lots of relevant experience.

The volunteer experience was invaluable and I believe it is that that secured me my interviews.

Great Hulababy.

That gives me a great boost in convidence.

I really would love to work in a school. I miss having my DC's around and hopefully I can give the children something too.

By the way your daughter is gorgeous

Good luck maggs - I am loving working as a TA. The little ones are adorable and great fun. And as a TA I now get all the good bits without the stress and workload of a teacher

Thank you re, DD. She is a treasure