Comments on: Training TAs NCFE 2 - My new job.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:15:30 +0000

I’m about to start a ‘taster’ course classroom assistant level 1 NCFE and will hopefully be able to help out for a few hours at my daughter’s old school on my day off as experience .Is there any prospect of employment on passing this qualification or will I have to obtain an NVQ 2 next year? Do I have to be in paid employment by a school to embark on the NVQ or can I continue in my present job with Royal Mail with voluntary classroom work?
Any advice much appreciated!

By: tabitha

tabitha — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:15:59 +0000

why not do the classroom assistant first, it isnt difficult, infact i am sure the teaching assistant course would take you on since i didnt find it hard at all. if you already have experience with children get yourself a reference or volunteer at a school. they will help you on your way to training. you may need a crb check first look it up on the net.

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 18:08:31 +0000

I would like to take the NCFE Level 2 Teaching Assistants course but do not have the necessary O’Level grades to get accepted. I will have to do an assessment - can anyone advise as to what sort of thing I can expect?

By: tabitha

tabitha — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:25:21 +0000

I have teaching assistant level 2 ncfe but have found out about the nvqs now and am worried that my qualification isnt as good as an nvq. and for me to do level 3 or a nvq i may have to pay, but cant afford it since i am not working. what should i do? is the ncfe as good as the nvq or is there no point in trying? where an i do the SEN qualification?

By: Elaine Dunn

Elaine Dunn — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:33:22 +0000

I did my NCFE 2 in 2001 at Shelfield Comprehensive Shoolin Walsall but I wasn’t able to collect my certifcate so I was woundering if there was any way I could get my certifcate.

By: Jennie Harston

Jennie Harston — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:24:02 +0000

Hi there, I have completed a NCFE Classroom Assistants Level 2 and I am just finishing NCFE Developing Skills for Working with Children and Young People Level 2. I have my exam tommorrow , Monday 7th of July. I have really enjoyed it and would recommend them to anyone who is intrested in working with children. I was helping in my daughters class and thought I would like to get a qualification, so I could get paid for it. The school where I have done my placement(my daughters class) as asked me to work a few days as relief and they have paid me, so all that hard work is paying off. I hope to do my TA Level 3 in September , ( fingers crossed)

By: Linda

Linda — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:06:12 +0000

Hi Mary,
If you are considering training there are a number of courses you could start with depending on what’s available to you locally and what age groups you are interested in working with.

NCFE stands for National College for Further Education.
NCFE2 Teaching Assistants Certificate is ideal if you are working as a volunteer in a school. You need to be in a placement (a school)for several hours a week, which you usually have to find for yourself. The course is usually one 3 hour session a week for a year plus a fair bit of homework. Some colleges offer it combined with a placement in school for two days a week.

If you are already employed in a school you can consider an NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) usually at level 2 or 3.
Alternatively you could do a full time college course, like a BTech. This involves both college work and placements in schools.
As I said, it depends what is available locally to you and what your personal circumstances are. Why not book yourself an appointment at your local college and have a chat? I’m sure there will be someone there who will be happy to help you.
Let me know how you get on

By: Mary Syme

Mary Syme — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:50:00 +0000

I am interested in training to become a teacher assistant, i’ve been loking through the net and would like to know “what NCFE stands for.
Thanks