Lorraine

Oh dear, I'll try and remember to keep my feet and hands out the way, i'm desperate to find work within a school or college but far from stupid lol, i bet the poor women hobbled home OUCH !!

Hi Vikpaw, thanks for the welcome and your advise, i do have a current CRB certificate from the classroom assistant course i was on, it runs out this december (think they last for 3yrs then need renewing), i have had a break from the school i was volunteering in so not sure if it's still valid, i assumed CRB would be needed even if i had no contact with the children as i'd have access to all their relevant personal information, not sure though, i suppose it's worth having a word with the schools admin manager to see if they'd allow me to do some voluntary work within the office allowing me to train up on the data system they have be it SIMS or CMIS, your idea of doing out of hours is good unfortunately i have a 7yr old so thats a no no, but thanks anyway, it's like you said, it's a matter of just getting your foot in the door somewhere, even if it is only voluntary.

Thanks Creese, Am i right in assuming you mean Local Authority when you said LA, i'll also look into what info i can get from the local support team. Just find it's a catch 22 situation, schools won't take you on a voluntary basis as you need a CRB check and there not willing to pay for it and the only way of getting experience is by doing voluntary work within a school setting. I suppose i'll just have to keep knocking doors until someone opens the right one and gives me a start... But thanks anyway.

Hello everyone, I'm a new member and would like to ask a few questions and pick a few brains re finding training with the SIMS and CMIS systems. Currently a single unemployed mum looking to get back to work, i'm looking for something within a school or college, my background work history is office based, did go down the road of training as Classroom Assistant but unable to continue as it's going to take another two years to get to level 3 TA status, pressures on to find work know, so having to go back to what i know, unfortunately have know knowledge of working with schools computer systems. Have been looking on-line for training courses but they seem to be geared up for those already working in a school setting, if anyone can shed any light on how to gain access to any of these courses (SIMS or CMIS) without being in a school setting i'd appreciate it. Many thanks Lorraine