Here at Vision Teaching, we have a history of placing actors and people in creative arts industries in roles as learning support assistants. Many of the skills actors possess transfer well into the classroom and can bring new creativity to learning environments.
Whether working in primary or secondary school environments, actors working as learning support assistants have a positive impact on the students they support and can help engage and motivate students to learn by making the classroom environment more vibrant, fun and creative.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why an actor’s next role could be in the classroom.
1. Engages students and works well with SEND
Actors can bring a creative flair to the classroom that truly engages students. Whether that be reading, role play or bringing life to an otherwise boring topic. This approach can work particularly well with SEND students who have difficulty learning in traditional classroom environments.
When students are engaged they become motivated to learn, they are more likely to push themselves and have a heightened desire to succeed. Given their background and the training they have undertaken, actors can bring excitement to the classroom that can help improve learning outcomes.
2. Provides actors with flexible working hours
Whether working in panto or theatre, many actors are doing their main job in the evening. Leaving their daytime free for other roles, such as a learning support assistant. Many actors work as a learning support assistant on a supply or temp basis so they have the flexibility to work shifts around their acting schedule.
As they will be working alongside the class teacher, learning support assistants at the entry-level do not require any specific qualifications and ongoing training is usually provided to help develop the skills of the individual.
3. Good rates of pay
With rates of pay being typically around £85 per day for a learning support assistant, it can be a great way for actors to top up their wages. Learning support assistants with more experience and good feedback can often earn more per day.
The flexible working hours and rates of pay combined with the ability to be creative and make a difference to the lives of children and young people is what makes becoming a learning support assistant attractive to many actors.
Looking for a job as a learning support assistant?
If like many actors you are interested in a role as a learning support assistant, then please get in touch with us at Vision Teaching to see how we can help you find the ideal role.
As specialists in all aspects of school recruitment, we help every borough in London attract and retain high-quality teaching, support, and administrative staff. We have a wide range of opportunities across London in both primary and secondary education settings.
Browse our current vacancies by clicking here
