Becoming a Teaching Assistant

What Teaching Assistants Actually Do

Teaching assistants (TAs) work alongside teachers to support learning. The role varies depending on the school and your experience level, but day-to-day tasks typically include:

• Supporting individuals or small groups with learning activities
• Helping students who need extra support — SEN, EAL, or those falling behind
• Preparing classroom resources and educational materials
• Supervising activities, break times, and school trips
• Recording student progress and providing feedback to teachers
• Supporting students with personal care needs (depending on the role)
• Running intervention programmes like phonics groups or reading support

The role is hands-on and relationship-focused. You'll often work closely with the same students over time, building trust and seeing their progress firsthand.

Qualifications You'll Need

There are no mandatory national qualifications to become a TA, but most schools expect:

• GCSEs (or equivalent) — Usually English and Maths at grade C/4 or above
• Level 2 or 3 Certificate — Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (optional but increasingly valued)
• DBS check — Required for all school staff (the school arranges and pays for this)

Experience working with children is often valued as much as formal qualifications. Volunteering, childcare, youth work, or even parenting experience all count.

Understanding TA Levels

TA roles are typically classified into levels:

• Level 1 / Entry Level — General classroom support, working under close supervision
• Level 2 — More experienced, can support specific subjects or interventions
• Level 3 — Can work more independently, often specialised (SEN, literacy, numeracy)
• HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) — Can cover whole classes and take on significant responsibility

Salary Expectations

TA salaries vary by region, school type, experience, and responsibility. Here are typical ranges for 2024/25:

• Level 1 / Entry — £18,000–£20,000 (pro rata, term-time)
• Level 2 — £19,000–£22,000
• Level 3 — £21,000–£25,000
• HLTA — £24,000–£28,000

Career Progression

Being a TA doesn't have to be a dead end. Many progress to:

• Senior TA / Level 3 — More responsibility, specialist focus, higher pay
• HLTA (Higher Level Teaching Assistant) — Cover teacher absences, lead interventions, near-teacher responsibility
• Specialist roles — SEN support, behaviour mentor, ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), speech and language support
• Teaching — Many TAs go on to train as teachers via School Direct, assessment-only QTS, or PGCEs

Schools often support TAs who want to progress, funding courses or providing time for study.

How to Find TA Jobs

TA vacancies are advertised on:

• School websites — Check the vacancies page of schools you're interested in
• Teaching Vacancies (gov.uk) — Free government job board with vacancies direct from schools
• TES Jobs — The largest education job board in the UK
• Indeed — Aggregates jobs from multiple sources
• Local authority websites — Some councils list maintained school vacancies centrally

You can also approach schools directly with a CV and covering letter, even if they don't have advertised vacancies. Schools often keep speculative applications on file.

Tips for Your Application

• Highlight all relevant experience — Volunteering, youth work, childcare, coaching all count
• Show enthusiasm for learning — Schools want TAs who are curious and eager to develop
• Mention specific interests — SEN experience, early years, secondary subject knowledge
• Be flexible — Part-time or job-share roles can be a good way in
• Research the school — Mention their values or recent achievements in your application