Question –
Q – I’m looking for some advice in regard to changing career completely to be a teaching assistant. I’m currently waiting for my dbs check to come back so I can start to volunteer in a local primary school. I’ve heard different information in regard to paying for and completing either a level 2 or level 3 course to gain a qualification alongside the volunteering but I’m wondering if this is actually needed, and I should volunteer to gain some experience then start applying for teaching assistant roles. I am based in the U.K.”
Answers –
A – “I was a nursery nurse just completing level 2 children and young people’s workforce when I got a teaching assistant job. They knew at my interview that I was committed to doing my level 3 and am now doing supporting teaching and learning. My course is funded and all work based with a tutor seeing me in school. Experience will help massively but all my recent experience had been nursery and am now a SEN TA in a junior school. Good luck!”
A – “I’m volunteering and studying for a level 3 on line with stonebridge college. I am looking for a TA role but due to wanting to stay quite local jobs are hard to come by. From the ones I have seen experience (volunteering) is key and qualifications have been asked for on the majority of roles in my area (Lancashire). Ask your school for advice they will let you know what they look for. Enjoy, it’s a wonderful role and very rewarding.”
A – “My advice is to volunteer, volunteer, volunteer! I decided to change my career from retail management to teaching assistant and pretty much volunteered in various educational settings for a year previous to any interviews. I was an eager, reliable and hardworking volunteer which resulted in good references which in turn resulted in finding a teaching assistant position surprisingly easily without having to go to college and do any kind of formal qualification. Volunteering leads to having loads to write about in your personal statement and I think that’s what employees look for in an application”
A – “Call endeavour training centre I’m currently on a childcare level 2 there it’s only just started they will talk you through and put u in the right direction, if you fit a certain criteria the cost of it is cheap for the level 2”
A – “If you don’t already hold a relevant level 3 qualification, then you may be able to study this with funding from student finance. This is what I am currently doing. I did my level 2 last year, and hoping to plough through my level 3. It’s important you have a maths GCSE now otherwise you won’t be counted in ratio unfortunately. Qualifications are key when wanting to work in this sector I’m afraid. When I was doing my level 2, I was told to choose my level 3 course carefully, as a TA qualification don’t allow you to advance onto a teaching degree etc, not sure if that is the case, but something to consider”
A – “I am qualified level 3 teaching assistant I also have a degree in English and Paediatric first aid and cannot get a job even after volunteering at local school for 3 years!”
A – “Depends on where you live – in central Bedfordshire early years level 2 & 3 are part funded for you. However teaching assistant qualifications for years 1 and above aren’t.”
A – “You do need a level 2 and level 3 x you should looked at college (they do 24 plus loans for people who have never gained a level 3 in anything)”
A – “You will have more chance of employment if your qualified”
A – “But I would start your volunteering soon as your dbs comes back”
A – “You would need to be qualified level 3 to be employed now”
A – “Qualifications are key now”