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Would I nee to be qualified for a Classroom assistant?

15 replies

zenia · 02/03/2006 18:29

I am thinking of applying for a p/t position advertised for a classroom assistant in a private school - it doesn't mention in the advertisement whether you need to have a qualification. I was a nanny for many years before having my children.

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ja9 · 02/03/2006 18:34

i dont think you would need to have a qualification, although ime it is difficult to get a job as a c.a.

You would need to be able to really sell yourself - especially in the private sector. If you are musical or sporty for instance, really push that, or anyhting else that you could offer (over other applicants) to add to the experience of children in the classroom.

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ja9 · 02/03/2006 18:34

(i'm a primary teacher & have worked in private sector, and have also worked as a c.a.)

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desperateSCOUSEwife · 02/03/2006 18:37

have been told (dont know how true) but the best way is to do it voluntary for awhile and then wait for job to come up and apply.

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roisin · 02/03/2006 18:46

It depends on your area, and local employment/salary rates. In some areas few people can afford to live on the wages of a CA, and you can easily get a job and do some training whilst you work (and get paid). In other areas CA jobs are highly sought-after, and applications from people without NVQ3 will simply not be considered.

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lexiemum · 02/03/2006 19:09

our local college does a CA taster course thing with work experience.

i do think best way in though is volunteering first.

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crazyiknow · 19/04/2006 13:57

I currently a sahm and thinking of returning to work prior to ds i qualified as a nurse but dont want to back as the hours are crap. I would love to become a classroom assistant.I have a GNVQ adv in health and social care would this help me. I always see NVQ's but never GNVQ's. I am very artistic and have done a placement in a school years ago and they wrote a very good report.

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Whizzz · 20/04/2006 22:03

It does seem to be about being in the right place at the right time ! I want to be a Teaching Assistant & I'm a parent vounteer at the mo I day a week but I have also started a BTEC TA course (distance learning), as currently I am still working in a different job.

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kid · 20/04/2006 22:14

I was in the right place at the right time and have been a CA for 5 years. You can train on the job and work your way up to teaching if thats what you want to do. There is no harm in applying. I also have a GNVQ2 which IIRC, is the same as an NVQ.

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blueteddy · 20/04/2006 22:39

I am a TA & have an NNEB qualification, but am only one of two in our school that are qualified.
Quite a few of the TA's in our school started off by coming in to do voluntary work, which has led to them being employed.
Once you are in, there are loads of TA courses you can go on, etc.
Good luck.Smile

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7up · 20/04/2006 22:43

at our school we have normal ta's without qualifications who earn up to £15,000 fulltime or senior ta's who do very extensive teaching studying and earn up to £20,000

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blueteddy · 20/04/2006 22:44

Oh, I think I need to get myself along to your school, 7up!!

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7up · 20/04/2006 23:17

i only work 8 hours a week tho blueteddy so i dont earn any near thatGrin

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Whizzz · 21/04/2006 12:01

\link{http://www.tda.gov.uk/support.aspx\some info here}

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nikkie · 22/04/2006 20:24

I am a senior TA and am not qualified as a TA but have specialist qualifications in BSL which was how I got my job. At our school jobs haven't been advertised since I started 6 years ago everyone since then has been throughvolenteering or word of mouth.

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mother3 · 13/05/2006 21:29

Go for it ,you may have to go on some courses ie.first aid etc but it will be worth it as its a good worth while job.good luck

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