hi guys
I am new to this forum and already loving it!
I am really sorry if this asked so many time ,but I couldn't find any thread about this,but if somebody post the related thread that would be great!

Anyway the question are
1. I am going to do Nvq 2 in Teaching Assistant in September,after applying for voluntary placement many school ,only one out of ten asked me to come for the interview.But I am really confused what it would be all about as I don't have any experience working with children.

2.As childcare is a main issue with me I can only manage 2hours for work placement which is minimum requirement of the college as well ,so should I tell this to school.would they be annoyed?

3.As I don't have appropriate GCSE .I thought that I would be eligible for level 2 entitlement (in that case the course would be free) but the college said they can only wave the course fees and I have to pay registration fees which is £180 .So I just wanna know how much did you pay ?did the college wave your fees?

Hey Beautydiva,
with regards to the school just be honest I dont think they will have a problem if you can only do two hours (they will be pleased to have the extra hands), try and make it either just in the morning or afternoon (decide before you go for the interview thing, is best) it wont be a real interview when I got my placement for level 3 I had to go into the school and have an interview...it was more like a chat really. so it shouldnt be that bad also have an idea of which age group you would like to work.
hope this helps need any more help let me know.

as for the fees not 100% sure as I paided full price but I know that they only waver the college fees and you have to pay for the exam/reg fees (even tho u may not have an exam lol)
hope it helps
x

if you are a single parent or on benefits you may be able to ask the college student support dept for anything you may be entitled to

Good luck with the course and I hope you enjoy it. I did . As for course fees I did Cache course and as I was on benefits I only paid registration which was 35 pounds. Re GCSE's I took Literacy and Numeracy Key Skills Courses, which are free and are equivelent to GCSE as I dont have that qualification either.
Interview- If the school dont know you then am sure interview a chance to do just that. They usually appriciate all the help they can get. Go for it!

Hi there,

I know some of the ladies that have enrolled on the same course as me have had different experience with regards to our placements.
I haven't had to have an interview, but I know one of my friends has, the others just wrote ot lots of schools then went and had a look around ect.

The interview that my friend had for her placement was just a general chat about her interests why she wanted to become a TA, so do try not to worry to much about that.

With regards to benefits I know that through Adult Learning (whom I am doing my course with in September) you can just pay the registration fee if on benefits, the fees that you have quoted do seem a bit steep to me but I guess it will differ in every area.
See if you can pay in instalments as well as I know that is an option for us.
With regards to your Literacy and Nurmeracy, speak to your college as you may be able to do them for free.

Thanx everyone for your support!!! I am relief now

Benson wrote:

, With regards to benefits I know that through Adult Learning (whom I am doing my course with in September) you can just pay the registration fee if on benefits, the fees that you have quoted do seem a bit steep to me but I guess it will differ in every area.

Oops i just checked it again its not £180 (thank God!) its £108.

fleur wrote:

Re GCSE's I took Literacy and Numeracy Key Skills Courses, which are free and are equivelent to GCSE as I dont have that qualification either.

Oh thats good !I will ask college about this.but could you plz tell me what exactly doest it called ?was there any examination?How long did it take ?

Don't worry they just want to put a face to the name and see what you've got to offer.

I volunteered when I was training and the school was thrilled to have me as this gave them the extra help they needed.

Good luck and remember to sell yourself and talk about what you have to offer and why you've decided to train to be a TA.

With references to the key skills courses; I did the Key Skills in Literacy and Communication as an extra to my TA course. It involved an online multi choice exam, a presentation, portfolio and a discussion. Dont be alarmed as used Assignments and work done on course for portfolio ,Presentation part of course as well and discussion related to TA 's not difficult as tutor walked us through it. You can do the Key Skills Literacy Course which will just involve exam. Key Skills Numeracy the same I do 1 morning a week at college. Have level 2 exam tommorow, which, if I pass will be the equivelent to a level Cto A GCSE depending on pass mark. It can give you such a boost to your confidence and the qualification is from City and Guilds. Good Luck and hope this info helps.

I did my NVQ2 with Adult Education at the local High school. I managed to get my course free as I did not have enough qualifications! There was nothing else to pay for. Others in my class had to pay just under £400.

hi guyz! sorry for late reply.
went to the 2 local schools
appointment with first school was just a general dicussion rather than a interview about what m i gonna study .but head didn't seem to know much about nvq thing as she said that she was new there and they don't usually have students there but only parent helpers.but she said she'd b happy if I do the voluntary work and she will send me the confirmation.............but schools have already opened for a week now but I am still waiting for their response!!!!


The second school's appointment was yesterday.And actually it was a meeting ......there were about 10 pupils there,all from the same college as me.and the lady just asked us that how many hours and on which days we would like to do our workplacements.she was very good and supportive.I have decided that I am going to do my placement at this school !
phew!!!!!!!

fees had been sorted out.only had to pay registration fees £108.

did some assessment for literacy and numeracy and college told me that i only have to do fast track which means i'll be going to college for 4 /5 times then can do exams online.....


so everything sorted out!yay!!! first class is on monday......


hey but wait a minute.........the trouble has just begun!

not for me ......but for you guyz ........coz I am not gonna leave you till my course ends.
so watch out guyz here I come with my billions questions!!!!

Great news well done and we hope you stay after the course finishes some of us have been here for years............ it get addictive you know.

Thats great news, so pleased that you managed to get everything sorted.

Good Luck to you

Well done.

Good luck with your studies.

Thanx guyz for your support and wishes!