Has or does anyone out there work as a classroom assistant? Is it the exclusive preserve of females? What quals do you need? What is it like as a job? Do you really not get paid for holidays. Any info appreciated.

You will probably find that this (http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/teachingassistants/faq/) answers many of your questions.

Hi there

My bro in law is a classroom assistant - the headteacher at his kids school press-ganged him into it! They are desperate for more 'male role models'.

He gave up work when my sis had kids and has been a 'househusband' now for 11 years. He helps out at 2 schools, is also a school governer and still goes to the playgroup that his kids used to go to every now and again to help put all the play equipment away - aww bless him!

More blokes should have the opportunity to be the main carer for kids if they get chance.

Hmmmmm.....only two replies. Both useful. Thanks. Was hoping for some more intel. Have learnt disappointingly that teaching assistants don't get paid for the holidays,but effectively are forced to take them. Sign on? A mate who is a supply teacher is in a similar but better paid position cant get the dole but gets council tax benny. Also the pay (pro rata!) seems depressingly low, starting at 11 grand and not seeming to go above 15. by the time you've knocked off the holiday ain't a lot for a lot you'd have to give.

I worked as a TA before I did my PGCE (admittedly this was back in 1992/3) it was a temporary post but I got paid through the holidays. As far as I'm aware it works the same as it does for teachers on a fixed term contract. You get paid for the holiday time 'attached' to any given term.

Your friend who's a supply teacher gets a proportion of his holiday pay in each day of supply work that he does - that's why it looks better paid than teachers on a contract. If he worked every day during each school term he'd earn as much as he would if he were on a permanent contract.

Depressingly the holiday pay issue seems quite clear from recent ads where the terms "pro-rata" and "for 40 weeks" are used. Cost is the top priority for the new sub privatised state, as it is for us all.

"If you ask how much something will cost you don't really want it"

Piglet,

Have you done a search? There is definately one Classroom Assistant regularly posts on the forum and I'm sure I've seen one or two more.

Yup I did a search. But the problem and the joy with a site like this is that opinions come before facts, and er... facts, (like personal experience) is wot I'm after.
Surely there must be a headbanger, sorry headteacher out there who has experience of recruiting or maybe a yoof wots been tort by uh klasroom ass.

Sorry, and ever hopeful

I'd like to end this string I started by adding some of the ard facts I was looking for - searching on Fish4jobs, I found a supply agency saying they paid the best rates for "experienced" people, these rates being between £30 and £50 a day.

Terrific

"I'd rather be a unpaid volunteer than a badly paid employee"

Depressingly the holiday pay issue seems quite clear from recent ads where the terms "pro-rata" and "for 40 weeks" are used. Cost is the top priority for the new sub privatised state, as it is for us all.


"pro rata" is just referring to pay being related to the proportion of hours worked as opposed to someone doing the same job full time. It's got nothing to do with holidays.


As for the 40 weeks. It'd depend when the contract started I suppose but if it's being used to cut the contract short at the beginning of the summer holidays then it sounds dodgy. In the state sector teachers on fixed term contracts have to be paid for the holiday immediately following the term they've worked - assuming they've worked right up to the last day of term. (I came across Heads trying to avoid this because they weren't aware of the law not because they were trying to diddle staff.) I'd be very surprised if it weren't the same for teaching assistants.


I found a supply agency saying they paid the best rates for "experienced" people, these rates being between £30 and £50 a day.

Supply agencies can be very hit & miss. It's far better to go through the local authourity 'bank' or apply individually to schools. Infact I've never seen a supply agency looking for TAs but then I guess I've never actively looked.

Originally posted by ThePiglit
Yup I did a search. But the problem and the joy with a site like this is that opinions come before facts, and er... facts, (like personal experience) is wot I'm after.
Surely there must be a headbanger, sorry headteacher out there who has experience of recruiting or maybe a yoof wots been tort by uh klasroom ass.

Sorry, and ever hopeful

I was suggesting (maybe not clearly) that if you could find the relevant member(s) from those posts you could contact them for specific advice.

If you look through the thread starting here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?postid=345171#post345171) you will find 4 Teachers, 1 Ex-Teacher, 2 Teaching Assistants and 1 Trainee Teaching Assistant.

I'm also sure that the headmaster of Newfield School is a member here.

Yes he is. I found him here (http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?postid=328696#post328696) .

ThePiglit,

Basically the wages are 39 weeks paid over a 12 month period....ie 39 weeks spread over 52 weeks and paid in 12 equal installments - in other words, 3/4 of wages if they weren't pro rata. Family tax credits are worked out on this basis so you get a monthly income plus these tax credits.

As far as qualifying is concerned, I was invited to take the job by the Headteacher after doing several months voluntarily, and following recommendation by teachers I worked with.

Will PM you any further info if you need it.:thumbsup:

If you have a degree /HND you can work as a proff assistant in a secondary school within a department. It is better paid than a general teaching assistant, the down side is that you are also expected to take cover lessons (cheap supply for the school) and work more closely with the teachers helping them make resources/ taking small groups.

I have to admitt that I think they would be better off just doing a training year to get a teaching qualification and the better pay. Many do this after the first year or leave the education section completely!

My teaching assistants are excellent and I do agree that their pay is harsh due to the holidays, this also applies to school cleaners, lab staff and some office staff.

hi,

This is a little off topic, but will ask anyway...I am posting this for my boyfriend who has applied to do a PGCE for secondary science. He was wondering if anyone here had gone through a PGCE and what the interview consisted of - i believe you have to attend an interview before being considered for a place..thanks!!

Try calling SESSA (go through Sheffield City Council Education jobs online)

Also, Select Education on West Street may be able to help.

I'm a classroom asst, I love it ,yes the pay is crap but I manage to support me and my children on it ! I would'nt change my job for anything , I get the holidays with my own kid's and I get to make a difference to other kid's whilst in school .I do get paid through the hols ,just like Sian explained earlier .It's the most rewarding job I have ever done and I'm hoping to improve myself now by taking further courses in school ,so in my opinion it's all good and money ain't everything.I know it helps but like I said I love my job ,how many people can say that about where they work ?

love Pretty woman
P.S It helps alot the fact that I'm on the same wavelength !

:hihi: :clap: :hihi: :clap: :heyhey: :heyhey: :heyhey:

Originally posted by sukari
hi,

This is a little off topic, but will ask anyway...I am posting this for my boyfriend who has applied to do a PGCE for secondary science. He was wondering if anyone here had gone through a PGCE and what the interview consisted of - i believe you have to attend an interview before being considered for a place..thanks!!

I have freinds who went that route, they normally ask things such as:

Why do you want to become a teacher?
Have you had any experience working in a a school?
Why do you think you will succeed?

Another place were you can ask this question is on www.tes.co.uk click on staff room then ask some teachers! ( it's a forum like this!)

http://www.tes.co.uk/section/staffroom/thread.aspx?story_id=2085249&path=/science/&threadPage=1

Originally posted by Evei
I have freinds who went that route, they normally ask things such as

Why do you want to become a teacher?
Have you had any experiance working in a a school?
Why do you think you will suceed?

Another place were you can ask this question is on www.tes.co.uk click on staff room then ask some teachers! ( it's a forum like this!)

http://www.tes.co.uk/section/staffroom/thread.aspx?story_id=2085249&path=/science/&threadPage=1

Thanks for your help, much appreciated!! :)

Just received a letter confirming that I've been granted HLTA status.:clap:

Could be good, could have shot myself in the foot.:confused:

Will let you know in due course.:( :)

Just a brief squeal of gratitude for all info recieved.

I am on a returners to work program thing which gives you a work placement(s) in the penultimate phase. They place a lot of "clients" (us) in TA voluntary posts for up to 12 weeks. Having done youth and bother related voluntary work in the past and done very badly at school (underachiever of the year award) I thought it would be a good prospect.

However despite the many positive posts, my reservations about the money and,( from researching via the net and other m.o.'s ) the kind of people and qualifications desired leave me in doubt. I don't think an truck driving bourgeouis drop out with an ancient degree in woffle is what the education bosses have in mind when they talk about life experience and role models.

No matter, the job quest goes on.....(and on.....)

Thanks.

Unfortunately no you do not get paid in the holidays. Depending on your circumstances you may not receive benefits even though you sign on (just covers your stamp). I wasn't told about this and now find Im out of pocket. If you decide to become a 'tutor' you may also find it interesting to know that we are allowed 10 hours per working year (app 30 wks) to mark homework! The rest is for the love of it.

Reasons for wanting to be an LSA....job satisfaction, great working hours, fab holidays. But the money? Noooo. It had never crossed my mind that it might pay well and it really doesn't bother me that it doesn't. If whats in your wage packet means more to you than anything else then a career change might be a good idea.

Why not do a PGCE?

hey, i have an interview next week in a primary school for the post of a classroom assistant and i was wondering if any1 knew what questions they ask so i can be prepared. would really appreciate ur help!!! thnx :)