Want to work with children... But not be a teacher!

I'm currently in my third year of being a teaching assistant at a large working class primary school.

I enjoy my job and am good at it but I want a new job as I don't find being a TA challenging enough anymore and am fed up of being paid peanuts.

I have a good English Language degree from a good university. However I don't want to become a teacher as I have seen the stress and workload that comes with the job and don't think it's the life for me.

I love working with children, in particular primary age (not so keen on moving to secondary), enjoy being in a school environment but this isn't crucial, I mainly want to do a job where I feel like I am helping people.

However I'm struggling to find anything that really takes my fancy at the moment, any ideas? Open to any suggestions!

Reply 1

JamieInPompey

One to one tutor? Online? They seem to be good routes to go down. Or working with a children's charity that work directly with schools?

Reply 2

Hayleybobs

Pupil Support Officer? Family Support Worker?

I currently work as a Pupil Support Manager. The job entails working with the families as well as the pupils. I absolutely love the job and have worked my way up from being a Teaching Assistant. However, I am currently in the process of completing my degree with the hope of then completing a PGCE. One draw back of the job (I feel) is that you don't have enough contact with the students. I often find myself completing paperwork, lengthy CAF's and attending meetings that are in with the hope of supporting the whole family but these take up a great amount of your time and away from the job I really like working with the pupils. Some would say I have the ideal job as I can get moments on my own to reflect but sometimes it can be very isolating. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Reply 3

Abby-Rose

Child Pyschologist
Social Worker
Nursery/Preschool Worker
Babysitter
Childminder
After School Worker
Play Therapist
Crech Worker
Nanny
Family Support Worker

Websites like Prospects https://www.prospects.ac.uk/ and Start https://www.startprofile.com/ have great job profiles.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 4

returnmigrant

A degree like Childhood Studies which combines Sociology, Psychology, Education, Child Welfare etc might be useful - it could lead you into hundreds of different career areas.

Examples :
UWE, Bristol - http://courses.uwe.ac.uk/X312/early-childhood (also available with a Foundation Year)
Northampton - https://www.northampton.ac.uk/study/courses/early-childhood-studies-ba-hons/

Reply 5

lil minx

Family Support worker. Helps you to work with both adults and children. You can get more training usually by the employer and could be a family support manager or similar with more experience.

Tutor - you could work with children or adults in other countries like China, Japan or Spain. The pay isn't always that good but at least you can see the world a little bit.

Nursey Nurse - Working in nursery with pre-school children.