IF YOU want to work in the education sector but don’t want to be a teacher there are plenty of alternative opportunities available:

Teaching assistants support learning activities in schools and nurseries. They work with individual children or groups of pupils. Their role is to both support pupils and carry out duties that help to free up teachers’ time such as preparing the classroom for lessons. Starting salaries for TAs are between £11,000 and £15,000. Higher level TAs can earn between £21,000 and £25,000. You don’t need a degree to become a teaching assistant, however you could choose to gain a teaching assistant qualification from an approved awarding body.

Learning mentors work with pupils that need extra support to overcome barriers to their learning. They are based primarily in schools but can also work with families and in the wider community. Some also work in offender learning and with adult learners within the education system. Work could include advising parents on parenting skills, drawing up
action plans with learners, providing group activities such as anger management sessions and monitoring the punctuality and attendance of learners. Some posts require a degree and experience of working with vulnerable young people. Others need a GCSE in Maths and English. Starting salaries are in the region of £15,000 to £18,000.

The role of a community education officer is to help organise and promote participation in local education or training opportunities. You could be based within diverse communities in venues such as community centres, children’s centres, libraries and churches. Within the voluntary sector salaries may start at around £18,000. In the public sector they could range from £23,500 to £28,000.

Educational administrators organise and manage the administration, support systems and activities that keep an educational institution running smoothly. They are often based in higher education establishments, however are also employed in schools and colleges. Salaries start from £17,000 to £26,000 and with experience you could earn up to £35,000.