Are you looking to make a real difference to your community? Are you passionate about improving the futures of younger generations? Teaching Assistants play an immensely important role in children’s education; making sure all children are able to achieve their full potential in subjects such as Maths and English. As a Teaching Assistant you could help transform the lives of children who are struggling with their learning on a daily basis.
Teaching Assistants usually work in a classroom alongside children from all backgrounds – some with Special Educational Needs (SEN) – who need extra support with their educational and social development, either one-on-one or in small groups. Occasionally, they might be asked to work with children outside the classroom e.g. taking a disruptive child out of the classroom setting, to work separately, where there are fewer unhelpful distractions. Teaching Assistants also help Teachers with practical tasks, such as handing out equipment, tidying up at the end of the day and supervising school trips or activities.
It is important to note that Teaching Assistants are not qualified teachers, so are guided by teachers on how they like to run the class. That said, the role of the Teaching Assistant is indispensable for running an effective classroom learning environment. With many schools understaffed and pupil numbers on the rise, teachers rely heavily on help from Teaching Assistants and other support staff to keep things running efficiently. It is also a huge relief for Teachers to know that there is extra support available for any children who need it.
There are opportunities available to work with children of all ages and the age bracket you choose is completely up to you. Some people prefer the golden age of primary school, while others enjoy seeing the difference they can make in supporting a teenager’s transition to adulthood during secondary school. The common theme is the desire to help nurture and develop our future generations.
The right person will:
Starting salaries for newly qualified Teaching Assistants typically start at approximately £12,000 with the potential to rise to £20,000 plus.
If you decide you want to develop your role as a Teaching Assistant, there are opportunities to progress into further roles, including:
There isn’t a set path to becoming a Teaching Assistant. Different schools have different entry requirements, so it’s best to start by speaking to one or two local schools in your area who will give you guidelines as to the sort of people they are looking to employ.
Many schools also appreciate help from volunteers, e.g. at lunchtimes, which is a great way to see how comfortable you are in the school setting. Volunteering like this can be a great way to test the water and help you decide whether a Teaching Assistant role is right for you.
If you have no experience of working with children (either paid or voluntary) and you’re looking to build confidence in doing so, then there are a number of courses that could help. Completing a relevant qualification can also make you stand out to prospective employers, and may help you land your first job as a Teaching Assistant.
One of the most widely recognised distance learning qualifications available is the Education and Training Award Level 3 RQF, which can be gained through a popular distance learning programme offered by Oxbridge Home Learning.
There are no entry requirements for this 120-hour knowledge-based course; it can be taken by anyone looking to start a career in Teaching. It aims to give you the knowledge and understanding you will need to work in a school setting. Although you will be able to enjoy the flexibility of home study, you will still have access to online tutor support throughout the entire course.
The course is made up of four units:
This qualification comes with NCFE CACHE Level 3 certification, which means it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to Level 3 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
There are also plenty of opportunities to apply for classroom based Teaching Assistant courses at your local college – contact yours today for more information.
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