Hello all, this is my first post so please forgive me for any mistakes.
I recently applied for a teaching assistant position at a local school, but when the pay structure was explained to me I was astonished! Only 25 hours a week were paid, and nothing was paid during holidays. Considering that the summer lasts six weeks, the end of term holidays last two weeks and the half term holidays last a week, how does anyone make ends meet? I’m young, unmarried and I don’t have kids so I don’t qualify for any tax credits or government support of any kind.
I would dearly love to take a position in a school but seeing as there would months of year when no money was coming in, I can’t. How do you all manage? What do you do in the holidays, especially the summer? What advice would you give to help me get into the profession?

Hi TJB, congrats on your first post

As far as I'm aware the majority of TAs are paid EVERY month so at least you should receive some income throughout the holidays. The 39, 42, 44 or whatever number of weeks you are contracted for are spread evenly over the whole year.

You may find you are able to take on an additional job or some holiday work but just be aware you may incurr tax.

More advice......BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET

Thanks for the reply,

its good to know that at least something would be coming in, but doesnt that mean even less would be coming in per month? For example, a post i have seen advertised was listed at £11K a year, but that was based on 35 hours a week. when you work out how much that is per hour, then apply it to 25 hours a week (standard school hours), and take unpaid school holidays into account, it comes out at about £6700 a year. if that is then divided over 12 months, its about £550 a month.

I was wondering how people manage to run a household on that sort of money?

What sort of jobs do people do to boost the income?

Is it just a case of picking up shifts in supermarkets and bars?

Does anyone do private tutoring in the evening?

Hi and welcome,

It would be best to check with the school if it is paid over 12 months. I think you will find a lot of TA's are paid this way. I am sure if you contact the school they will be able to tell you what the monthly salary works out to.

Dot
xxx

I know a few tas who do supermarket work in the evenings to make ends meet, although I don't actually know any myself who do not have either children or a partner, but an nqt that I am working with this year was a ta first and she had neither (she was one who did eve work though .)

you'r yearly salary will be split up into 52 a year so you will not have a time without money . you will recieve a wage each month ,so don't panic .two of our TA get payed all year round ,doe's anyone else have that luxury. ?

I m paid all year round but it does depend on the school

thanks for the replies. the thing that worries me now is that £550 a month isnt enought to live on. What with rent, the price of fuel, heating, electricity and food, its not enough to get by.

everyone must come up against the same problem. how do you make ends meet?

what do you do to top up the income?

maybe you can get after school club work/holiday scheme work

if you have no other commitments then maybe bar work

and perhaps TA work isnt going to be the best earner for you

Hey there,

Most schools do pay you every month including the holidays. In addition to this, I do play schemes during the holidays, they are always needing staff and all the extra hours really boost my regular wages.

I wouldn't say the wages you get from being a TA are fantastic any way but being paid every month will at least mean you have money coming in every month and during the holidays, you could take up work in holiday clubs.

Hope this helps,

Bobette x

I get paid all year round

Lucky you

Think I will start a poll to see who is paid for 52 weeks and who is paid term time only