[senco-forum] TA minimum qualifications

My TAs have a wide variety of qualifications: Ranging from a first class
degree in philosophy to a qualification in first aid, NVQs in support and
for one TA who has recently retired no formal qualifications as far as I am
aware.
In my view the only ESSENTIAL qualification is that they care about the
pupils and are willing to learn from others people about the best ways to
support them.
Being a good TA is not necessarily about having amassed a collection of
formal qualifications, in my view it's about having the ability to work
with, assist and motivate pupils to reach their true potential. 
Chris
Secondary SENCO
P.S. I know from experience that even a teaching qualification does not
necessarily mean that a person can write correct grammatical English with
acceptable spelling. (If that is what you mean by 'questionable academic
ability'.)

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of ehutchinson
Sent: 06 September 2006 14:14
To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: [senco-forum] TA minimum qualifications

Hello all, wonder if anyone can help?

We are just about to advertise for and hopefully employ two
new teaching assistants.  However, we have had some
'questionable' experiences with teaching assistants (by way
of their academid ability) in the past and were hoping this
time to include some minimum qualifications as a requirement
in the advert.  
Has anyone out there ever done this when advertising a TA
post.  If so, what kind of qualifications did you ask for? 
I have had a look in the archives as I know there has been
much information about employing TAs in the past, but
couldn't find anything about basic qualifications
requirements (but did find loads of ideas for interviews)

Any help would be appreciated.
Emma

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