anyone find teaching assistant training to hard? easy?!

[anniebear]

have been thinking about it on and off, but worried, how can I help kids with their work if I am thick?!!

Bumping for you as I'd like to work in a school LSA / TA.

I have spoken to the Headteacher of my DD1 school today for some advice as like you I don't know where to start.

She suggested I volunteered in one of the classes one morning a week to see how I liked it / they liked me.

They have taken on others party-time in this way and I was told once you are employed by a school the training is on the job and free.

May be worth seeing if you can help out for the experience.

I am starting after Easter so fingers crossed.

Thanks

I am helping out 2 afternoons a week in yr 1 and 2, just mainly reading with the children

I know I am not ready to do more just yet but maybe when the confidence has grown a little

Its just Im not a very clever person and I worry how will I be able to help children with work that I may struggle with myself

Hope it goes ok after easter x

thinking I may be best going and doing my maths and english, but a bit scared lol

I did my TA NVQ a few years ago and can't say I found it easy. Not because its hard but because of the sheer amount of written work involved.

My friend did her degree a year earlier and we worked out that I had more written work to do that she did in her final dissertation.

I did pass though and definately don't find being a TA too hard, although I do work in rec/KS1

I wouldnt want to work with any older than infants

its bad enough trying to help my 7 yr old with ehr work lol

Can you help peopel if yuo are thick??
Put it this way, most are thick and stupid and receive no training whatsoever, so the powers that be obviously think so.

anniebear - do not fret. I'm a TA and I work in the lowest sets (not all the time, but mostly), and it's easy. After a while, you know what's coming up next - same old thing each term, blah blah blah, National Curriculum rules dictate it must be so (can you tell I need to change "careers" !?!)

There is a course 'entry level to teaching assistant' which is a 10 week course, 2 hours (7-9pm) which should be a good start too. I am going to do this training shortly

I am an LSA and was just a parent helper for a while.

No training at all which is annoying but I just get on with it and love love love it!

Vino - How do I find out about the 10 week course please?

Well done anniebear for getting in there. I'm sure you'll be great

thankyou

the 10week course sounds good

I think with me it is mainly my low self esteem and lack of confidence.

I know I am great with the kids and really do enjoy helping them, especially the ones who are struggling

In yr 1 on Monday a Litle girl I was helping told me that the teacher was very proud of her and I said "I am very proud of you also, you have done great work" and her whole little face just lit up...brilliant

learnerportal.oxfordshire.gov.uk/default.aspx

It is through the oxford county council but am sure other councils run them too!

Re lack of confidence - I have the same but I just love working with kids and they seem to like me too! (Although they find it hilarious to correct my pronouncation of English sometimes! But I usually say English is my second language and I am still learning just like them so they can help me!

10 week course