subject: Become A Teaching Assistant In The Uk [print this page] For some teaching assistant positions, you do not need any qualifications, but these are really few and far between so it's much better to be qualified. If a school has a choice between a candidate with teaching assistant qualifications and one without, they will choose to employ the person with the qualification. Give yourself the chance of securing a teaching assistant post by qualifying with a NVQ level 2 or 3.
Some schools hold a list of potential candidates, which they use when they are searching for new teaching assistants. To get on these lists you need to send your CV to all individual schools. If you do decide to this, be sure to send out an updated copy of your CV as you gain qualifications or experience that is more relevant.
It goes without saying that anyone who works with children must not have a police record or be on the sex offenders list. If you are offered a teaching assistant position, you will only be able to start work once the school has received clearance from the CRB - the criminal records bureau.
If you're not convinced that being a teaching assistant is the right career for you, talk to those that are already doing it for a living. In addition, read some of the many books on the subject. And many of these can be bought online from Amazon as well as at your local bookshop or WH Smith. Working as a classroom helper is another good way of deciding if becoming a teaching assistant is for you. Being a teaching assistant is a demanding career choice so it's important to be sure it's what you want to do. This question is usually always asked during an interview so be prepared with your answer.
Whilst searching for a teaching assistant position there are some things that you can do to make yourself more attractive to employers. First, start an ASET Level 2 Teaching Assistant Certificate course. You can do this kind of course before getting your first teaching assistant job. You can volunteer to work with as a teacher's helper or with a children's charity. This will give you experience of working with children, which is really important in showing that you are a serious candidate for a teaching assistant job.
