Placements are a highly valuable part of the course. It is in school that theory learned online can be put into practice and you can see everyday school life happening first hand. At The Teaching Assistant College we feel that your learning in school is as important as learning with us and we are sure that you will find it a highly rewarding experience. Just think of all the difference YOU can make to the children you will be working with.

Whilst studying for the courses it is a requirement that you spend time in school (3 hours each week for Level 2 and 6 hours each week for Level 3). Once you have enrolled onto your course The Teaching Assistant College will send you a letter to take into a school and a placement information pack to prove that you will be starting a course with us and to give them an idea of what you will be required to do. We will send you more guidance on finding a school placement, if you don’t already have one, when you have enrolled with us.

Every school is different and every day in school is different. Therefore you may be requested to perform a range of different tasks as a Teaching Assistant, these are a few of the tasks that may be asked of you in school:

• Work with groups of children playing a learning game or supporting them in completing written work
• Listen to children read
• Put up a display
• Help children spell a word to use in their work
• Find or prepare resources for the teacher
• Photocopying
• Make resources e.g. a game to help the children learn about something specific such as numbers
• Reading a story at the end of the day
• Take the children to assembly
• Go on a school trip
• Wash paint pots

This list may make you quite excited about becoming a Teaching Assistant, though it may also concern you that you may not know how to perform some of these tasks. Please do not worry, that is why studying to be a Teaching Assistant is so important and of course the teachers you are working with will know you are new and will be expecting you to ask questions. Learning in schools now has changed dramatically from when you may have been at school and we are aware of this too, we know that you will need to be introduced to many of the modern teaching methods used in school today.

These ideas are only suggestions of the kinds of things that you can expect, of course it depends on the age group are working with and the amount of time you spend in school (the more time you spend the more different activities you are likely to see). If you are planning to go into school in the same class, at the same time, on the same day each week then it is likely that you will be expected to perform similar tasks each time you attend.

We are sure that you will enjoy your time in school and studying with The Teaching Assistant College.