Katrina Said:

How do I become a teaching assistant?

We Answered:

You should volunteer to ensure education is what you want to go into. It isn't as 'easy' as some people seem to think. I recommend you volunteer for a minimum of 4 months so you can see what it's really like to work in a school, speak to other TAs and teachers while you're there, to learn about their responsibilities and day-to-day duties.

To start your volunteering, call up schools in your local area and see if they're looking for any volunteers, explain why you want to volunteer as well. You may need to attend a really brief interview, just stating why you're volunteering, what you hope to get out of it, etc - it won't be like a job interview, it's just so they know you're suitable to volunteer at their school.

If you decide it is for you, you can do an NVQ in Teaching Assistant at your local college.
If you're young enough, you apply for an apprenticeship so you're doing your NVQ and getting paid around £80 a week to study and go to a placement school.
With the NVQ Level 3 (if you already have 5 GCSEs, grades A*-C) you should complete the course within 2 years; then you're fully qualified as a teaching assistant, can apply for jobs and further your career in time.

Samantha Said:

Different routes one can take to becoming a teaching assistant or teacher in the UK?

We Answered:

To become a teacher in the UK you need to have a degree in your chosen subject - if you are then 26 and above you can apply to do QTS - which is essentially training on the job in a school. This is instead of doing a PGCE at uni.

You do not need a degree to be a teaching assistant - and many schools now allow teacher assistants to do a course in higher learning which allows them to go on to teach some groups.

Best of luck..

Tommy Said:

I am thinking of becoming a teaching/classroom assistant.?

We Answered:

Let me answer this with a question - How exactly are Poland and Nigeria similar? This is the assumption you make in your question - I believe this is an unfair argument - and racist at that.

Gordon Said:

Becoming a teaching assistant with a Psychology degree?

We Answered:

I agree with Ali - why not do a PGCE and become a teacher?? TAs aren't particularly well paid despite working extremely hard and taking lots of rubbish!

Becoming a TA would be a good way of getting experience before applying for a PGCE and I think you will probably find schools will jump at the chance of having a degree qualified TA - I also think you will find becoming a level 3 TA easy if you have studied to degree level!!!

Brian Said:

Becoming a teaching assistant?

We Answered:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/lif…