advice needed on next steps.

hi there i'm new to the forum and not really sure on where to post but hoping i might be able to get some advice. i've recently completed a L3 diploma in specialist supporting teaching and learning and i need some guidance on what my options are to continue learning in order to eventually progress in to primary teaching. aside from the diploma my previous education started and ended with my GCSE's many moons ago and i am currently retaking maths and english in order to improve my grades. i have looked into the teaching and learning support foundation degree and think i meet most of the criteria but i am also trying to find out a little more about HLTA courses. can anyone advise on which route to take and which offers the best content??
many thanks in advance
liesel x

Personally having done the HLTA and fnd degree, if I could go back I would do fnd degree. HLTA is a status and not a qualification, means nothing on paper really.
Most TA's are taking classes and interventions without HLTA status as schools simply can not afford the pay rate.
My thoughts, fnd degree, top up to a full degree, then do a PGCE either part time or full time.
Good luck and welcome to the forum

yes I would agree hlta is a status for experienced t.a.'s who do not wish to go onto degree level or do not want to go on the teacher route it was exactly what I needed at the time but will not help on your teacher journey.
I would say retake your English, Maths gcse if you need and dont forget science ( I would do those before mr gove decides we need to have gcse's exams at 'a' level levels!!!!!!!) Then go onto fnd deg and top up and then gtp or pgce

Totally agree.. Get the qualifications needed at gcse. Do foundation degree and then teaching . Hlta is not a qualification and is not always recognised financially either !! So if you can go for the degree route xxx

Thank you for your replies. Starting maths and English GCSE's this week and make an appointment at my local college to talk about the foundation degree and hopefully this time next year I'll be ready to start it. I only work as a dinner lady and the rest of my time is spent volunteering, how do I stand with needing to be in paid work in order to do it and do I need a letter of recommendation from the head?

The good thing with fnd degrees is you do not need the school to put you forward. You would need support or a mentor to help you with some of the modules, but speak to your college that is delivering it and good luck x

and you would need to be in school for approx 5 hours a week but this can be volunteering you dont need to be paid for those hours

Maths and english gcse courses are great (Im biased as im on the english one ) and are free at the moment (changes each year depending on the mood of the Government !!)
Totally agree with all the above comments,qualifications are far better than a status (I have hlta status but was never paid or used properly at my old school) Although I would say that to get on the FD course I did `Further Education studies for teaching assistants ` we had to be employed as a teaching assistant,but I know that you dont need to be actually in a school for others .
Dont ever be afraid to say you are a dinner lady -as a dinner lady you are a member of the support staff -you really support the school and just think of how many pupils AND staff you help get through the day !!!
Good luck and let us know what you decide xx

Dinner ladies are lynch pins - they see and hear an awful lot that is missed in the classroom. Good luck with the maths and english. With regards to degree, have a good look at what is available you will be surprised as to what is out there.

jabyella - Agree with lots that has been said. Maths, English and Science gcses are a must - for yourself - whatever you decide to do. Also think fd is great if you want to go on to teach. But still don't like to see hlta totally written off! There are many hltas (me included) in our LEA who have good hlta roles for which they are paid a fair rate and get great job satisfaction. However, since the government have stopped funding training, I imagine very few more such roles will be created. Sad.

And dinner ladies have the toughest task of all, with the least training ..... and very little credit! The vast majority do an amazing job.