The Student Room Group

Learning Support Assistant

Hi,

I'm interested in teaching, but don't actually want to be a teacher. I think I'm more suited to working with students on a one to one basis, or in small groups and would like to be a teaching assistant or learning support assistant.

I have basic experience with special educational needs - I worked in a college with young adults which I loved and what inspired me to do it as a career.

I was just wondering if anyone knows how I can get into this career? Or if anyone knows where I can find out if I need certain qualifications.

Thanks!
Reply 1
You don't necessarily need a qualification to find a job (job search for teaching assistant etc, try local council websites...), but maybe your employer would encourage you to get a qualification while you work - I think maybe there is a BTEC or something where they will watch you in class to see how you perform (you need to work in the school 16hrs+ a week), then I guess some college work, and after a year you get the qualification. I could have remembered that totally incorrectly though.... You never know, after a few months doing that, you might realise you can be a teacher after all.
Reply 2
You could always look into the City & Guilds qualifications- I belive they do some training for classroom assistants/learning assistants. Might be worth looking at what courses your local college/Learn Direct centre does.
Reply 3
Thanks for the replies - do you know what the BTEC qualification is by any chance?
Reply 4
http://www.learndirect-advice.co.uk/featured/geena/

I just googled 'BTEC teaching assistant'
Reply 5
Ah right, thanks for that! Should've googled it myself really, but thanks anyway!
Reply 6
Hello :wink:

Have any of you done the city and guilds diploma In supporting and learning?

Zx laura


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