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any one a teaching assistant, tell me....

8 replies

donbean · 15/03/2008 08:30

How did you get into it?
What quals do you need to get into it?
What training is involved?
What are the hours like?

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Slouchy · 15/03/2008 08:36

I am - but am a qualified teacher, so not the usual route. (Stop-gap job while dc are small).

AFAIK...
Schools like teaching assistant NVQ level 2 generally
Hours depend - I do 8.30-12.30 every day, plus one afternoon till 3.30

It is a nice job but v badly paid for what you are required to do.

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Maidamess · 15/03/2008 08:39

Slouchy I agree, massive responsibility, crap wages. But good fun and challenging. I have NVQ3 in Child care and Development at Foundation Stage, and that seemed to get my foot in the door, altho I work in Year 2.

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donbean · 15/03/2008 08:41

So you do need initial quals, you cant go in "cold" as it were?

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Maidamess · 15/03/2008 08:44

I think nowadays they want someone with some experience at least in working with children.

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Slouchy · 15/03/2008 08:52

Might be good to start volunteering in local school (parent reader type) - these are always appreciated. Get your face about a bit. NB Lots of parents volunteer to help with reception/yr 1, but not much help higher up. Then you can find out what the score is in that school.
You will have to have a CRB check, but the school will help you sort this.

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MumRum · 15/03/2008 08:57

I work in a school 1-1 with a child..
I have a NVQ3 in childcare and education
Have you thought about working in a pre-school.. I started there and did my qualification through them

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alfiesbabe · 15/03/2008 09:02

I'm a SENCO so responsible for appointing TAs. Occasionally I get someone without experience, if they're clearly exceptional, but tbh there's a fair bit of competition around so if you have some experience or a qualification then you're in a much better position.
The wages are awful, but the main reason people want to do it is if they want a job with very clearly demarcated, short hours - mine work from 8.45 to 3.30 with meeting til 5 once a week. I also have a qualified teacher on my team - she wanted a gentle way back into education with short hours while her kids are young.
You need to be adaptable, patient, able to know when to stand back and when to intervene and have a GSOH!

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donbean · 15/03/2008 11:58

thanks, not for me (God no!) for my sis.
She is absolutely fantastic with teaching and encouragement school wise of her own daughter and my nephew who she has every evening after school. They are 6 and 5 and she has them whizzing through their home work, numbers, letters, reading books and alphabets.
She just has a natural way with her.
She works in a shop at the mo, which is long hours and little pay. Just wondered how she would get into it.
Maybe she would consider going part time at the shop and volunteer at school.
Will ask her what she thinks. (she doesnt think she is good enough)