Teaching assistant

Teaching assistants support the work of teachers in primary, secondary and special schools. They might support pupils one-to-one or in small groups. Teaching assistants work under the teacher’s guidance and supervision.

Also known as:

Classroom assistant
Learning support assistant
Child support assistant
Welfare assistant

Work activities

Teaching assistants support the learning of children of all ages and abilities, in primary, secondary and special schools. The role of teaching assistant varies from one school to another and depends on which age group is being taught. Some have a general support or caring role, while others might have more specific responsibilities, such as helping students who have learning or behavioural difficulties. Some teaching assistants support pupils within a particular curriculum area, such as ICT, whereas others might be based within a department, or assigned to a child.

Teaching assistants work with individuals, a range of groups of children or a whole class. Their work might involve:

Helping children with learning activities such as reading and writing.
Sorting out and tidying classroom equipment and materials.
Getting things ready for lessons, such as handing out pens and paper.
Observing and recording pupil progress.
Administrative duties, such as photocopying and ordering supplies.
Supervising children in the playground or on school outings.
Liaising with parents or carers and teachers.

Personal qualities and skills

As a teaching assistant, you’ll need:

Good communication skills.
Patience, tact and sensitivity.
To be good at taking instructions and working as part of a team.
The ability to maintain discipline and deal with challenging behaviour.
Good listening skills.
To be caring and helpful.
To be well organised.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for teaching assistants vary depending on their responsibilities, employer and location. The pay rates given are approximate. Teaching assistants earn in the range of £14,000, rising to around £21,000 with experience. Some teaching assistants are paid an hourly or daily rate.

Teaching assistants work 30-40 hours a week. Full-time and part-time posts are available. Some teaching assistants get paid for working during term time only.

Employers are state and private primary, secondary and special schools.

What’s happening in this work area?

Teaching assistants were introduced to allow teachers more time to focus on their teaching and learning. Since then, demand has grown and many posts have been created and filled. However, cuts to school and college budgets often mean that posts are lost to save money. Competition for posts is strong in some areas, meaning that employers might prefer candidates with a range of skills and qualifications.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, by local authorities, on job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services.

Entry routes and training

Teaching assistants usually have training on-the-job, including through an induction period. With strong competition for places, employers are looking for candidates who have an appropriate qualification or who are willing to work towards one in the role. An level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship is a great place to start. Some schools employ assistants with a specialism, for example, in literacy, numeracy, English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), or special educational needs. Some teaching assistants start by volunteering in a school, then becoming employed.

Experienced teaching assistants can apply for higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) status. This allows them more responsibility in the classroom, for example, supervising a class for a short period in the teacher’s absence, contributing to lesson planning and developing lesson resources. Some HLTAs in secondary schools can specialise in maths and science. There are no formal entry requirements, although individual local authorities might set their own when putting together their selection process. To qualify, teaching assistants have to satisfy HLTA professional standards.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

To get onto an apprenticeship in this area, you’ll usually need two A-levels plus GCSEs in maths and English. Many schools will look for evidence of skills and knowledge developed through relevant work experience, either paid or voluntary.

Adult opportunities

Some people enter as volunteer teaching assistants and become employed after gaining experience.

A range of colleges and universities offer certificates, diplomas and degrees for staff working in learning support roles. Study can be full or part time/flexible or via distance learning.

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