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Teaching assistant

Alternative titles for this job include Classroom assistant, learning support assistant

Teaching assistants (TAs) support teachers in the classroom and help children with reading, writing and learning activities.

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

16 to 36 term time

You could work

evenings occasionally

Meet Louisa

Louisa started volunteering in her school, then became a teaching assistant and she is now a trainee teacher.

1 minute 50 second watch

View transcript

Hi, I'm Louisa. I have been a teaching assistant and I'm now a trainee teacher.

I went to work at John Lewis and I, throughout this time, I was a dance teacher as well, so I absolutely loved that. And I used to do that on weekends and evenings. And I thought, what can I do to further the teaching?

So then that's when I decided to come to Lowdham and volunteer. And then, after a year, I got offered a job. So that's what led me to here, because I loved it so much dancing. So I thought, what can I do to make it an everyday thing? So I thought I’ll come and work in a school and I love it even more.

I've been a TA in nearly every single class and obviously it varies massively from early years to play-based provision to working up to year 6. It's very different, a different way of teaching and a different structure. I've done a lot of 1 to 1 work with special needs children, which obviously is a massive difference as well.

I've also worked at breakfast club and I've worked at afterschool clubs, so the wraparound care provision that the school provide, I've done that since I started here.

And I've attended many day trips, and I've attended now 4 residentials which are absolutely brilliant for the children. So the overnight stays, which involve lots of activities and lots of fun things for them to do.

So I feel like definitely time management skills because working in a school, you obviously stuck to a time schedule. You really have to follow that. And I think personally, confidence, my confidence has grown whilst working in a school and knowing how to talk to children and different strategies and methods of teaching.

I think it's the most rewarding job in the world and I never come to work unhappy. I absolutely love my job and I think there's so many opportunities once you are in a school.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

College

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

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

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.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

More Information

Volunteering

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.

Direct Application

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.

More Information

Career tips

Teaching assistants may specialise in the kind of extra support they give, for example with:

  • language and communication
  • behaviour
  • pastoral care
  • special educational needs

Further information

Teaching assistants are employed term-time only. A working week can vary from a few hours up to full time.

Advertised pay rates are often listed as full-time equivalent (FTE). Actual pay will depend on the number of hours worked.

You can find more on working as a teaching assistant from Skills for Schools.

You can also search for jobs using the Teaching Vacancies service.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • sensitivity and understanding
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • 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

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a teaching assistant, you could:

  • 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
  • work closely with families and carers

Working environment

You could work at a school or at a special needs school.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and 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.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Level 3 PE Teaching Assistant Apprentice - Leventhorpe School

  • Wage: £11,778 a year Annually
  • Location: Sawbridgeworth

Classroom Teaching Assistant Apprentice - Colnbrook School

  • Wage: £11,778 a year Annually
  • Location: Watford, Herts
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Level 3 Certificate In Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools

  • Provider: FARNBOROUGH COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Farnborough

L3 - Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (QCF) - Yr 1 of 1 (CG)

  • Provider: SOUTH THAMES COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 12 September 2025
  • Location: Kingston on Thames
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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