subject: Skills and Qualifications Teaching Assistants Should Possess [print this page] If you enjoy working with children or are interested in a career in teaching but want to test the waters before going into it full time, then teaching assistant (TA) jobs may be ideal for you. Educational institutions all over the UK, including those in Nottingham, Birmingham and Derby employ part time TAs. It is also a great way for people who have other responsibilities to get some experience working in such institutions. You can even work voluntarily if you are so inclined.
Starting out as a TA
Educational institutions are always on the lookout for TAs, especially after a new study has shown that the more an institution spends on assistants, the better it performs. However, taking up a teaching assistant job in Nottingham or any other city in the UK means you will most likely be working with children so the qualifications and red tape are a little more than usually required for part-time jobs. Whether you are being paid or have volunteered for the post, you will have to undergo a background check by the Criminal Records Bureau.
Experience is always preferred
Although no formal qualifications are required for the post, institutions favor candidates who have some amount of experience working in schools or working with children. There are also many courses offered for teaching assistants all over the UK, and it helps if you have completed at least one of them.
Contact you Local Education Authority
However, while there is no set entry level qualification for TAs, your Local Education Authority may have some conditions of its own, so you need to find out what they are. It is common for your Local Education Authorities to ask you to undergo some induction training to acclimatise yourself to the institution you will be attached to. It also helps by giving you a rough idea of what your exact responsibilities will be.
Going beyond a TAs post
If you enjoy your new job as a TA you can actually go one step further and work towards becoming a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). You will require additional qualifications and skills, but if you have the help of your school's head teacher, it should not be too difficult. As an HLTA you will have more responsibilities and may also be given the chance to fill in for teachers when they are absent.
Being a TA can be exciting and rewarding so if you are looking for a teaching assistant job in Nottingham, you should sign up with a local agency like ABC Teachers. They have local offices in various cities, including Nottingham, so finding a teaching assistant job in Nottingham itself is a snap with their help.
Skills and Qualifications Teaching Assistants Should Possess
