How do I get into a teacher's assistant job?

Question

I'm desperate to get into teaching and have applied for more than 100 jobs for a teacher's assistant but haven't had any luck. Being a single parent now, I can't afford to go into university to study to become a teacher. I have been in IT in the past and have been tutoring Spanish for the past 5 years, but it is a job that hasn't got the stability that my children and I need. Any suggestions? I have been trying in the Essex area but I'm willing to go into London. Please help!!!

Answer 1

First of all, you can afford it. It is free tuition and you can get a student loan to cover your books and travelling expenses which you will not pay back until you are teaching.

I am in the Essex area, I work in education and my wife is a teacher in the area too. You can do this.

Teaching assistant jobs are increasingly difficult to find because with the introduction of teaching assistant qualifications such as the HLTA mean that for someone with no experience and without formal qualifications, schools are reluctant to take you.

Do you have GCSE or equiv. in Maths, English and a Science at grade C or above?

Do you have A Level or equiv.?

In 1999, I had neither of these. I went to my local college and took an Access to Higher Education course. It is geared for mature students and almost all classes are during school hours so it doesn't interfere with the kids. The course is a year and you can do the GCSEs if you need to as part of the course.

Once you have that, you can apply to Uni. Essex or University of East London would work best if you are in Essex. If you are low income, single parent, you will get full financial support. All BEd. courses (Teaching Degrees) with QTS (qualified teacher status) are free, due to the teacher shortage. Student loans are available, you apply to the LEA and it is usually around £5500 a year which will pay for books and stuff.

Don't give up on a teaching career, you can do it!

Answer 2

My advice is to scan the local papers especially the recorder newsaper within the Essex where many jobs are advertised for Teaching Assistants. As you indicated u have applied for more than a 100 jobs my advice is keep kocking on doors. To be a Teaching Assistant you dont need qualifications as such but a NVQ would be a bonus. If you have had experience in working with children before and can show urself as a professional person something is bound to come along. I sincerely wish you luck but my advice strongly to you is keep trying especially the local papers. I wish you the best of luck

Answer 3

Most Teaching Assistants are employed by Local Authorities so it may be Worth writing to the Human Resources departments of Essex County Council and some of the London Boroughs.

There Education department should be able to give you advice.

Also 'Foundations Schools employ there own staff directly, if you ask for a list of these you can write to the schools.

Good luck.

Answer 4

We advertise in the local press. You do not always need formal qualifications, volunteer to help out with reading etc at your local primary or secondary school (you will need a police disclosure). Volunteer some hours at your local creche. Add it all to your CV, sometimes experience counts more than formal qualifications. If you leave a voluntary position then get an open reference, if you are still volunteering when you apply for a position put them down as a reference. Happy hunting.

Answer 5

You don't need to go to uni. I did a year in full time colledge to get my childcare nvq Qualification. I am now part way through my Nvq 3. If you have good gcse results you may be able to go straight onto your nvq 3 which you can do from home. All you need is a placement where you can work with children. Ask at your children,s school. If you go to any colledge they will give you all the information that you need. Good luck.

Answer 6

Go to the Board of Education. Apply at their human resources department.

Answer 7

I don't know about England, but here in the states they really don't need special classes yet. Some parts of the country they do need certification. Best for you to do is to check with your local school administration.

Answer 8

You should try applying for jobs posted on major job websites like Careerbuilder, Yahoo! Hotjobs, Craigslist, Monster and upload your resume. More info at http://www.pcworkathome.net/jobwebsites.html

Answer 9

apply to your local authority. in the mean time volunteer at a local school to build experience. once you get the job you will be sent on day release to get the qualifications.

Answer 10

go to your local college and find out about teaching assisstants courses you usualy have to find some voluntary work at a school to do the course