Becoming A Teaching Assistant?

Question

Hi, I have been undecided on what I want to do for so long and now I have decided to go ahead to become a teaching assistant and maybe then become a teacher who knows. Anyway, I just basically want to know where to start what qualifications i need and experience etc. I have got 11 gcse's A-C including Maths and english which I know you need my gcse science was a D but i have no problems having to resit for that, I gained 2 a'levels in ICT both at grade C. Will these help me at all? I don't mind starting from scratch again, I have tried to do some research into courses, but most things I find seem to say you need to be working in a school or with young children (i want to be a TA in primary school by the way) I would like ti know how i go about getting into working with children whether it be paid or voluntary. If anyone could help me please I would be grateful Thanks x*x

Answer 1

I don't mean to sound like a downer, but in my area TA jobs are like gold dust - any vacancies are pounced on immediately by mums who have done "the course".

I know quite a few people who have done the TA course, it is part time although maybe your local college may do a full time one.  Not many of them actually worked in a school although all did a "placement".  You need to phone them and find out.  I have to say, though, you have very good exams - have you thought about applying to do a degree and then going straight into teacher training?

In the meantime, you can always phone your local primary school and ask to go in and help on a voluntary basis, obviously telling them what your aspirations are.  The staff there will be able to point you in the right direction.  Most schools are crying out for volunteers!!

Good luck.

Answer 2

Most TA courses require you to be working in a school.  You then take the course alongside your day-to-day teaching assistant job.  A lot of schools advertise for TAs in local papers or you could write to your local primary schools and enquire if they'll employ you.  If you're prepared to do voluntary work it'll be a bonus and you'll find it easier to get a position.  Some schools will even fund your TA course.  You normally need to be working with children for a minimum number of hours a week and this will increase as you progress through the courses.  It's worth rembering that you don't actually HAVE to have a TA qualification to work as a TA.  Remember, you won't be a teacher, you'll just be helping out.

As for your qualifications, you'll be fine with what you have.  If you want to go on and become a teacher then you'll have to consider retraining.

Have a look here:

http://www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit.aspx

They have some info for potential Teaching Assistants as well as teachers.

Answer 3

you will not need to resit science as long as you have gcse english and math grade c or above. try the teacher training agency to start and then check your local coucil for t a postions available. Best of luck

Answer 4

hi there, i started with no qualifications, a well paid full time job that i was bored and disheartened with and a house and family to keep! i was the same as you should i shouldn't i - it was a huge gamble but i cut my hours and went for my dream of being a teacher. it took ages (5 years) but i am now teaching in my 2nd year, so it can be done!! there are lots of routes these days but what i found was that you need to be working with children either voluntarily or paid to get on courses. Many schools welcome extra help but you may need to be CRB registered. i wasn't working in schools, or CRB registered, but i rang around a few schools and ended up volunteering in my daughter's and a private school to get myself on a 12 month nvq nursery nurse course for a qualification and experience. during this time i found employment in a private nursery and after a few months applied to a school. whilst finishing the nursery nursing course, i also enrolled on a foundation degree course and then went to university for the final year full time. although i have paid for all my own higher education courses it has been worth it!! once employed by a school, the in service courses for teaching assistants are endless as long as your school can afford them! some even off the foundation degrees etc - mainly bigger primary or secondary schools though - more funding!! i didn't want to hang around and take the welfare lady TA route, as i knew i definately wanted to teach and as a mature lad... time was ticking!! anyway that is in the past and as i have already said, i have achieved my goal. the thing is don't get disheartened and take 1 step at a time, set small goals and try to reach them whilst enjoying yourself!! being a TA is very hard work but great fun and extremely rewarding, especially when you see the children going through the school. good luck, i hope this helps in some way and it works out for you , ADxx PS i think you do need GCSE science to be a teacher now , i already had it but usually, if everything else is in place, there are tests you can sit whilst at university that are equivalent. good luckxx