Teaching Assistant experience

[alicebear87]

Hi I would really like to get a job as a teaching assistant but all job adverts and advice on the internet suggest you need experience working in a school. I recently did a weeks volantary work experience at a school but would like to get something more permanent.

Does anyone have any advice on how to go about doing this? Is it best to call schools direct and ask if they need any help? And are they likely to want me??

Thanks!

[stonehelp]

Hi
I am a teaching assistant and have been for the past 5 years. I use to be a parent helper at my childrens school, once a week. most infant schools, are glad of free help, to hear children read, or do jobs in the classroom. If you just ring your local one up, I am sure you could offer to help once a week or more. This could then lead to a job even, if you were lucky, but it would certainly help for when you applied else where.

[alicebear87]

Thanks, thats really helpful, I will look into it with more confidence now!

[smartowl]

You could try being a volunteer in Adult Literacy.
I did this before starting my teaching degree and it gave me valuable experinence of a learning environment.

[alicebear87]

Sounds interesting, how exactly would one go about that Smartowl?

[smartowl]

Try your local library, I'm sure they will have details for you.
Good luck, hope it works well for you.

[benchmarrow]

You need to get an up-to-date CRB check done before schools will go near you (I'm a teacher).

If you write to local schools with your CV and explain your desire to be a teaching assistant etc and that you have a CRB check they might be keen.

All TA and SSA jobs at our school require NVQ level 3 or NNEB qualifications too. We are secondary level though.

good luck- it is a rewarding job.

[Fairie]

Benchmarrow. I am currently in my 3rd year doing a degree in ed studies and human biology. without my PGCE I think can only apply for teaching assistant jobs, seems a waste of time if you can do it without the degree and thousands of pounds of debt uni puts you in!

[benchmarrow]

Most schools will require a PGCE or the alternative which is the GTRP training. I trained a GTRP trainee last year and she got funding of �14000!!!!! Some schools do employ unqualified teachers but they are few and far between and 'tend' to be those that have real recruitment issues and therefore are often EBD schools or are challenging.

As an assistant head I would recommend the PGCE- only one more year of training and a wealth of opportunity both in the classroom and out.