Hello people, need a little bit of help. I've recently graduated from uni and basically my intention was to take a gap year from education and then take a post-grad PGCE in 2009/10 to become a primary school teacher. However the current office job I am in is uninspiring and I'm really not enjoying it so i'm looking into the possibility of becoming a TA for for the 08/09 academic year. I know many TA jobs require NVQ or similar qualifications but I would really appreciate anyone who has any advice on people who don't have these qualifications but want to get into it. I've been looking at some of the PGCE courses available for 2009 and when looking at the course overview many of them point out that experience is advantageous when applying, so essentially I would really appreciate the opportunity to become a teachers assistant as it would provide me with both experience and a job that I know I would enjoy. All a bit long winded but i've found there isn't much info online and just stumbled across this site luckily. Hope this thread is in the right place and you can help. Much appreciated

So essentially will I be able to get paid TA work with only a degree and where should I start looking?

Hi Renton,

I graduated 2 years ago from Uni with a degree. I didn't want to go into teaching until I had some experience under my belt, so I applied for a TA level 1 job and I got it! I have now been a TA for 2 years and I am loving every minute of it. The best thing about being a TA is that you can get experience of planning and teaching, so that when you do come to apply for the PGCE, you will have alot of knowledge about curriculum and teaching practices.

You only have to have qualifications if you apply for a level 2 or upwards, the majority of level 1 vacancies don't say that you need qualifications.

Best of Luck,

Bobette x

Thats good news about level 1 TAs. Is there a site dedicated with TA vacancies as I haven't found many advertised on the internet. Possibly because the school holidays have just begun? Also what would you suggest is the best to apply? I imagine it will be difficult to get a reply as the summer holidays will start shortly, so if I write a letter to local schools with my CV enclosed I may get a response within the next month or so? Thanks again

The main one that I use is Eteach. You can sign up for the weekly job bulletin from your local area and they email it to you. Although there might not be vacancies at the moment, they can still advertise during the six week holidays, so I would say keep looking and something will come up. September there will probably be a lot more advertised, as obviously the schools go back but like I say keep your eye out during the hols.

You could send out letters but I haven't had any luck with doing this in the past. The best thing to do would be to wait until a vacancy comes up and then apply for it. If there aren't many vacancies....whilst I was in my final year at Uni, I did a couple of weeks voluntary at my local school. This was what got me the job I've got now because I could talk about my experiences with the children I'd worked with. This might be an option for you if you have no experience working with children.

Hope this helps,

Bobette x

Look on your local borough/LEA websites Renton. Most of the TA vacancies have been advertised over the last 1 month...you might catch the tail end this/next week, otherwise look again in early Sept for those postions that arise over the summer.
Look on here

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Job Centre Plus site and obviously in your local papers. Good Luck

Well I live near Birmingham city centre so I guess there will be a steady flow of jobs in the future, however at the moment there doesn't appear to many advertised on the sites posted. I'll keep trying though and thanks once again.

Hi renton. there are a few near you on there I have just had a look. Good Luck

Hiya Renton,

I've just been offered my first level 2 TA post to start in September. Like you I'm also a graduate with no formal TA qualifications. I have a degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Child Psychology and can apply many of the things I've learned to my new post. My advice would be to think about ways in which you can link your degree to a teaching type post. Have you ever taken part in peer assisted learning for example or covered any modules that could be related to learning or development?

As for looking at advertised posts I would advise searching your local council's website and also searching on google for schools' own websites as sometimes they advertise on there as well.

Good luck finding a post!