Course Overview

Want to Make a Real Difference in Society? The only way to change things is to become part of The Solution . . . . .

"One Hundred Years From Now it won't matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank, nor what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child".

(excerpt from "Within My Power" by Forest Witcraft)

If you've always wanted to be involved in the classroom, helping children to understand how to communicate and interpret this world we've built for them, here's your chance to set out on a highly-rewarding and fulfilling new career. Because the government is pushing hard for better adult to child ratios in the classroom, money is being pumped into schools across the country to help them take on more Teaching Assistants, as this is regarded as the quickest, most cost-effective way to improve the situation. So, in these difficult times, it is unlikely that you would get a better opportunity to get yourself qualified to operate in this vibrant, positive educational environment.

Show me the money . . .

To give you an idea of the typical salaries earned by Teaching Assistants around the country, the following is a simple table of rates currently in force for "unqualified teachers", which include Teaching Assistants. To find out exactly what you can earn in your particular area of the country, you would simply need to contact your local council:

Inner London                                         £19,893-£29,088

Outer London                                        £18,789-£27,992

London Fringe                                       £16,856-£26,052

Elsewhere (England and Wales)             £15,817-£25,016

Entry-Level Course

Our brand-new and revised Teaching Assistant course will fully prepare you to take your place alongside a qualified teacher in any school in the UK. By studying the course you will gain a real insight into education and it will provide you with the skills and knowledge to be able to take part in a wide range of classroom support activities. It will help you gain employment, and possibly whet your appetite to become a fully Qualified Teacher.

The course has been fully revised to reflect the recent changes in the educational environment, and the wider educational world. It specifically provides information about how teachers plan and prepare lessons, deliver their subject matter and assess students. Your role as a Teaching Assistant can be crucial in facilitating those processes.

Course Structure

The course examines the "core learning structure", and how these skills form a vital part of teaching and working with children. It also looks at the ways you will support classroom practices, the school and its management. You will also gain insight into supporting pupils with disabilities and special educational needs, as well as the basics of literacy and numeracy.

Today, everybody needs to be able to make use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and there is substantial content aimed at this critical area (you will almost certainly gain additional insight into your own existing knowledge of the subject). The final unit looks at supporting play and learning.

A full and detailed programme of the modules studied can be seen by clicking on the “Course Outline” tab above.

Entry Requirements

Perhaps surprisingly, the Teaching Assistant Course has no entry requirements, other than personal motivation, desire and a genuine interest in the subject matter. As long as you also have a good general standard of education, you will gain immense benefit from it. You should be aware that once you progress into a school environment, or indeed any other organisation that involves access to children, you may be required to undergo a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check.

Course Materials

One of the key benefits of studying with My Distance Learning College is that, unlike other distance learning providers, we deliver the entire package of course materials in a single dispatch. This enables our students to get a real feel for the overall structure and content of the course, and chart their progress much more effectively. The modular method of delivery favoured by other providers fragments the learning process and actively prevents students from moving faster through sections they are more confident with, or taking more time over the deeper concepts that require more thought and comprehension.

PLUS: Students of My Distance Learning College automatically get FREE access to the acclaimed “Simply Learn” coursework management system, which makes submitting assignments, getting feedback and critique, and interacting with other students on the course for mutual support, an absolute breeze! Push-button simplicity . . .

Level 3 NCFE Accredited Qualification

The course is accredited by NCFE, who are an awarding body regulated by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales, and the Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

No Final Exam . . . .

If the prospect of exams frightens the life out of you, there is even more good news. There is no final exam!

The low price of the course includes dedicated tutor support, regular critique and feedback, and all assignments are marked by one of our professional tutors. You can even pay by instalments if funds are tight.

What are you waiting for? Book your course today and start improving society and your local community by making a difference in the life of a child. It really could be that important.