Teaching assistant
Also called Classroom assistant, learning support assistant.
Teaching assistants (TAs) support teachers in the classroom and help children with reading, writing and learning activities.
- Potential salary
- £19,000 starter to £26,000 experienced per year
- Typical hours
- 16 to 37 term time. Working pattern: evenings occasionally.
- Career area
- Education
- Where they might work
- You could work at a school or at a special needs school. Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
- A typical task
- help teachers prepare materials
- Subjects that may help
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- Typical route
- No university route listed.
- Interest area used here
- Helping and teaching
What you might do
- help teachers prepare materials
- set up classrooms ready for lessons
- work with individual students and small groups
- watch, record and report the progress students make
- look after children who are upset or unwell
- lead classes and activities with help from the teacher
More tasks (1)
- work closely with families and carers
Could this suit me?
Consider which of these skills and ways of working appeal to you.
- to enjoy working with other people
- sensitivity and understanding for building good relationships with children
- excellent verbal communication skills for motivating children to learn
- active listening skills to understand the childrens' needs
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be flexible and open to change for working on different activities
More skills
- the ability to teach pupils how to do something
- the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Routes into this career
University courses that could lead to this career
These are course families, not published offers. A link does not mean the degree is sufficient on its own.
- Early Childhood Studies
Alternative route. The degree can be relevant. It is not required for every teaching assistant post.
- Education Studies
Related, but not enough on its own. Teaching assistant posts do not require this degree, and the degree is not a teaching qualification.
- Primary education
Related, but not enough on its own. Teaching assistant posts do not require this degree. Experience in schools matters more.
Apprenticeship or vocational route
- You could do a college course to gain some of the skills and knowledge you need to do this job.
- Courses include: supporting teaching and learning in schools; childcare and education; T Level in Education and Early Years.
- You could apply to do a Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
- This takes up to 2 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and learning with a training provider.
- You can apply directly for jobs through schools, local authorities and academy trusts. Each school sets its own entry requirements, though you'll usually need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.
- You'll also need to show that you can work well with children, teachers and parents. Volunteering, or a qualification in nursery work, childcare, playwork or youth work, may give you an advantage when applying for jobs.
Other routes
- Volunteering is an excellent way to get experience of working with children and young people. This can also help when looking for jobs.
- You can get experience by volunteering in a local school or with a community organisation.
Career progression
- When working as a teaching assistant, your employer will give you opportunities to develop your skills.
- For example: managing behaviour; mentoring; understanding special educational needs and disabilities (SEND); providing extra support for particular subjects.
- With experience, you could take a course to become a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA).
- You might also wish train to become a qualified teacher.
Registration and requirements
pass enhanced background checks
Subjects that may help
Subject guidance
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship