How necessary is the 'Teaching Assistant' qualification in the UK?

Question

I have been working in an international school in Thailand for the last three years and intend on returning to England to study for a Masters in Eduction. Ideally I would like to work as a teaching assistant while I study.

I have noticed that a 'Teachers Assistant' qualification has been introduced. Would I need to gain this qualification on top of my experience and level of study?

Answer 1

Sometimes you can be lucky and gain a teaching assistant post without a qualification, but more and more there are basic requirements for the post, and this will be the old NNEB, NVQ3 and one or two others. It does vary according to education authority.

Answer 2

As far as I know you do not need a qualification to be a teaching assistant.  The teaching assistant qualification was introduced as a way for the government to use teaching assistants as teachers on days where teachers were ill or when planning, preparation and assessment times were to be covered. To be a basic teaching assisstant does not require this qualification, but unfortunately it is also reflected in the pay.

Have you thought about supply teaching though, you have the experience.   This would fit around your study pattern and the pay is much better...You only need a degree for this and it doesn`t have to be a teaching degree.

Answer 3

the teaching assistant qualification is the old nursery nurse certificate, you can get a post as unqualified while you train but the pay is rubbish

Answer 4

I used to do EBSS some years ago and they were introducing the scheme in then,,either you studied for your certificate or you dropped out,,but you could learn whilst you earn,,this was regardless of any non teaching qualifications I had,,the pay was c**p and the hours were indeterminate for me due to the specialising of my work,,

Answer 5

The answer is a tentative 'no', however TA posts are becoming increasingly popular and this, coupled with the new classroom management roles that the TA now has to take on to cover teacher PPA time, means that without the qualification you are less likely to secure the post you want. Its also worth saying that this qualification has improved massively over the past few years, and through delivery via foundation degree routes it has a growing reputation as a 'credible' qualification amongst education professionals. As you are preparing for an MEd I presume you have already gained some experience of the English NC? If you can evidence this clearly to a school  then it should be enough to secure you a post. I wish you all the best with your studies.

Answer 6

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