Teaching assistants go back to learning to get on at work
When teaching assistants Sue, Lorraine, Karen and Pat all decided they’d like to take their careers to the next stage and train as higher level teaching assistants, they realised that they’d need English and maths at GCSE-level first before they could even apply. They also knew that learndirect was the way to make that dream reality. Sue explains:
‘We all work at a special school for 11-19 year olds with learning difficulties. I’d originally planned to apply for a job in a mainstream school but a neighbour suggested this and I’ve loved it from the day I started. I’ve never been happier. When we heard about this new initiative to introduce higher level teaching assistants, with scope in the job to do more with the children, we were all really interested. But you have to have GCSE-level maths and English. I left school with CSEs, so I needed both of them – some of the others only really needed maths but they decided to resit English too, to bring their skills up to date.’
Lorraine takes up the story:
‘I trained as a nursery nurse when I left school and after a spell nannying I began work here. When it came to applying for the higher level teaching assistant training, I discovered that I couldn’t find any of my certificates! I also wanted to ease myself back into learning again after so many years away from it, so when we heard that learndirect could help us get the qualifications we needed through the National Tests in Numeracy and Literacy, it sounded ideal. The great thing was, we could all go along and learn together for moral support!’
Karen was just as enthusiastic as the others:
‘I began by working in the kitchens at the school 16 years ago and then became a lunchtime organiser before getting a nursery nurse diploma and starting as a support worker. I just worked my way up from there over the years. I’ve got O level English (but I couldn’t find my certificate) and maths isn’t my thing. So I decided I might as well do both at learndirect and take the National Tests. And I really enjoyed it. I didn’t have access to a computer at the time, so we went along to the learndirect centre after work. They start off by giving you an assessment of what level you’re at now, so you know where your gaps are. Then you simply work your way through the course on screen and check how you’re doing until you feel you’re ready to take the tests. It was much better than a conventional exam setting – far less daunting.’
Pat’s been working at the school for 19 years and had no qualifications when she agreed to go along to learndirect with the others:
‘It wasn’t at all nerve-racking. It was fine, right from the first time we went in. The tutor was really helpful and I passed the Literacy really quickly. Now I’m working on the Numeracy. You just go at your own pace, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you. I’ve been doing a lot of the studying at home when it’s convenient. That’s one of the good things about learndirect -it’s so flexible. You work through the course on a computer disk. It’s like having your own personal tutor there on screen in front of you. It’s so straightforward. There are certain sections covered in maths, for instance, such as calculators, decimals and percentages, and it’s all explained to you. There are mock tests and then when you feel ready, you take the test. A learning map shows you where you are at the end of each section and what else you need to do. I can’t praise it enough. It’s going to take me to the next stage in my career.’
Karen’s keen to recommend learndirect too:
‘I was really pleased with everything – the environment, the help, the way you learn. It’s definitely made a difference to my life. Without the maths and English I couldn’t even access the higher level course I want. My daughter’s 19 now and having seen my success with learndirect she’s going to boost her grades in maths and English too – she goes to pieces in an exam setting at school, so learndirect is just right for her. I felt very proud of myself when I passed – it was a real achievement. I’ve even got a computer at home now because I enjoy it so much.’
Lorraine points out that it was especially good to be able to learn with friends:
‘It was someone to moan and groan with and have a laugh. I used to go to the learndirect centre every Wednesday after work for an hour or two. I found the maths harder but you can go through it as many times as you like until you’re confident with it. I’m a single parent and it’s not always easy to find the time but with learndirect you can log on when there’s a spare minute and do as much or as little as you like. It was great – it certainly swept a few cobwebs away from the brain cells! I’m thinking of doing some IT courses with learndirect now. It will be nice to know exactly what a computer can do so that I can help the children. They do it all the time at school.’
Sue sums up what learndirect has given her:
‘learndirect’s helped me further my career and given me essential qualifications. To be honest, the maths has been hilarious – you find yourself coming across things you’ve completely forgotten. I’ve enjoyed it and found it quite exciting as I gradually remember how to do things. It’s made me hungry to learn. I’m certainly planning to do more learndirect courses and other people have started going because they’ve seen how keen we’ve all been. It’s been a great experience and we’ve had all the help we’ve needed. learndirect’s a lovely place. You can’t beat it!’