How to become Teaching assistant
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.
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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
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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.
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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.