subject: Is Working As A Teaching Assistant For You? [print this page] Teaching assistant courses are advertised by the local Education Authorities, usually in the local press. In addition, you can send your CV to individual schools in your area. Some schools hold a list of potential candidates, which they use when they are searching for new teaching assistants. If you do this, make sure that you send out an updated copy of your CV every 6 months, or so.
A few TA1 level positions do not require any qualifications. However, you should bear in mind that these positions are rare and that if a school is presented with a candidate who has a qualification and one without, they will employ the person with the qualification. Therefore, it is wise to get yourself at least a NVQ level 2 or 3 TA qualification to improve your chances of being successful when you apply for teaching assistant jobs.
All people who work with children must not have a police record or be on the sex offenders list. If your application for teaching assistant position is successful, you will only be able to start work after the school has received clearance from the criminal records bureau.
Whilst you are searching for a position there are a few things you can do to make yourself more attractive to employers who are looking for teaching assistants. Firstly, start an ASET Level 2 Teaching Assistant Certificate course. You can do this course without having to be physically working in a school. Secondly, volunteer to work with a children's charity or to work as a teacher's helper. Experience of working with children goes a long way towards making you a good candidate to become a teaching assistant.
If you are not sure that you want to become a teaching assistant, talk to people who are already doing the job. In addition, read some of the many books on the subject. A good selection of these books can easily be brought on-line. Working as a classroom helper is another good way of deciding if becoming a teaching assistant is for you. It is important to be sure of why you want to become a teaching assistant. During the interview process this question is always ask, so you need give a convincing answer.
