Majority of TAs "thinking of leaving"

More than half of teaching assistants are considering leaving their jobs, and one in ten is actively looking for a new job, according to a survey.

Nearly 500 TA members of Unison took part in the unpublished poll, and two out of three reported that their workload had increased over the past 12 months. More than half the group said they did at least four hours of unpaid overtime a week.

The average take home pay of the full-time TAs in the survey was £978 a month. About half took home less than £1000 a month, while just under half took home between £1000 and £1500.

56 per cent said they were considering leaving their current positions, 23 per cent were seriously considering it, and more than half of these were looking for a new position.

Asked what changes would improve the service they provide, two thirds of the TAs said a greater recognition of their imput.