Teaching assistant

As a teaching assistant (TA), you'll work with pupils either individually, in groups or as a whole class, helping them to access learning, build confidence and develop independence. You may support pupils with classroom activities, behaviour and communication, helping to make sure they feel included and can take part in lessons and school life.

You'll also support the teacher by undertaking duties that help the classroom run smoothly and free up their time for teaching. This can include preparing learning spaces, making resources and creating displays of pupils' work.

Some TAs work exclusively with pupils who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or additional support needs (ASN) in Scotland.

Job titles vary and may include:

• classroom assistant
• learning support assistant
• pupil support assistant
• support for learning assistant in Scotland.

What do teaching assistants do?

Your duties will depend on your role, level of responsibility, experience and training. However, you'll typically need to:

• make sure that the pupils you support can engage in learning and stay on task during the lesson or activity so that they can become independent learners
• support the social and emotional development of pupils, reporting any issues when required
• support the teacher in managing challenging pupil behaviour and promoting positive behaviour
• support pupils with reading, literacy and learning activities, either as a class, group or one-to-one
• monitor and record pupils' progress and provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers
• carry out administrative duties, such as preparing the classroom, learning spaces and resources, and clearing away after class to ensure effective teaching can take place
• look after pupils who have had accidents, administering first aid if trained to do so, and support pupils who need help dressing or are upset
• support pupils outside normal lessons, such as during exams, school trips, clubs, revision sessions, playtime or lunchtime duties.

As a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA), you'll also need to:

• deliver tailored teaching activities to pupils one-to-one, in small groups or, for short periods, as a whole class under the direction and supervision of a teacher
• contribute to planning and preparing lessons and support materials
• supervise other support staff or coordinate specific areas of teaching support.

Teaching assistant salaries

• There isn't a national pay scale specifically for TA salaries and pay scales are determined locally. However, many state-funded schools use local government pay scales for support staff, with full-time equivalent starting salaries typically in the mid-£20,000s. Pay varies depending on the type of school, location and level of responsibility, with jobs in London typically paying more.
• Your salary will rise with experience and increased responsibility. HLTAs and those with additional specialisms or SEND/ASN responsibilities may earn full-time equivalent salaries in the mid-£20,000s to low-£30,000s, depending on their grade and local pay arrangements.
• Many TAs are employed on part-time, term-time only or casual contracts, so actual pay can be significantly lower than the full-time equivalent salary. Term-time only pay is usually pro rata, meaning you receive a proportion of the stated full-time salary.

Independent schools, academies and free schools can set their own pay arrangements, although many use or mirror local government pay scales.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours do teaching assistants work?

Working hours are typically during the school day, Monday to Friday, in term time. You may need to work early mornings or after school if you're supporting activities such as breakfast clubs, after-school clubs or revision sessions, and attend training days or parents' evenings.

Part-time work, job sharing and fixed-term contracts are common, particularly if your role involves supporting a specific pupil. You'll usually be expected to take your holiday during school holidays, and time off during term time is generally restricted.

How do you become a teaching assistant?

Entry requirements vary between schools, but you'll usually need good literacy and numeracy skills, often GCSE grade 4/C or above, or equivalent, in English and maths. In Scotland, employers may ask for National 5 qualifications or equivalent, including English and maths. Experience of working with children, young people or families is also useful.

You don't need a degree, although it can be an advantage for some roles, particularly if you want classroom experience before training as a teacher. Qualifications or experience in areas such as childcare, nursery, playwork or youth work can also help.

Relevant qualifications include awards, certificates and diplomas in supporting teaching and learning. Some can be taken before you start working in a school, while others require you to be working or on a placement. For details of courses, see NCFE Qualifications. You can also train through a Level 3 teaching assistant apprenticeship, where you'll work in a school and be paid a salary. Find an apprenticeship.

Check vacancies carefully to see what skills, experience and qualifications schools are looking for.

As you'll be working with children and young people, you'll also need to pass safeguarding checks, such as an enhanced DBS check in England and Wales, PVG scheme membership in Scotland, or an enhanced AccessNI check in Northern Ireland.

Teaching assistant skills

You'll need:

• effective communication and relationship-building skills to motivate and inspire pupils, help them understand tasks, stay engaged, develop independence and make progress in lessons
• literacy, numeracy and digital skills to support classroom activities, record progress, prepare resources and use school systems
• a positive approach to behaviour and learning, using praise, encouragement and clear boundaries to help pupils manage challenges in the classroom
• teamwork skills to work under the direction of teachers and in collaboration with other support staff, educational professionals, parents and carers
• flexibility to adapt to different classes, pupils and school activities, as well as unexpected situations
• safeguarding and wellbeing awareness to help keep pupils safe, notice concerns and follow school policies and procedures
• a commitment to SEND and inclusion to support pupils with different learning, communication, social, emotional or physical needs and help them take part in school life.

Fluency in local community languages may be an advantage in some roles. Skills in areas such as first aid, Makaton and British Sign Language can also be useful, particularly in specialist or SEND support roles.

Teaching assistant work experience

It's useful to have experience of working with children and young people when applying for jobs. This could include paid or voluntary work in:

• after-school activities
• childcare
• coaching
• colleges
• holiday clubs
• nurseries
• schools
• summer camps
• tutoring
• youth work.

Many schools welcome enquiries about volunteer work. Contact them directly, outlining your career ambitions and the areas you'd be interested in supporting, such as literacy, numeracy, IT or after-school clubs.

Degrees such as education, youth work and childhood studies that include practical placements can provide useful experience. Other experience can include working as a student ambassador at your university, which may involve promoting higher education or a specific subject in local schools.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs teaching assistants?

Teaching assistants are typically employed by:

• colleges and sixth forms
• independent schools
• nurseries and early years settings
• primary and secondary schools
• pupil referral units and alternative provision
• special schools and SEND settings.

In England, you can work in different types of state-funded school, including community schools, foundation schools and voluntary schools, academies and free schools, and grammar schools. These differ in areas such as governance, admissions and who employs teaching and support staff. Independent (private) schools set their own employment arrangements.

Before applying, check the type of school or setting, as this can affect the role, contract, pay and working conditions. Find out more about the types of school you could work in.

Look for job vacancies at:

• myjobscotland - local authority and public sector education jobs in Scotland.
• Teaching Vacancies - England only.
• tes Jobs
• local authority websites
• individual school, academy trust and college websites.

You can also find vacancies through education recruitment sites and agencies such as Eteach.

Where can a career as a teaching assistant lead?

You'll typically receive an induction followed by ongoing training and development. This may be delivered in-house or externally and can cover areas such as safeguarding, SEND/ASN, autism, dyslexia, English as an additional language (EAL), behaviour, wellbeing, communication needs and inclusive learning.

You can develop your role by gaining experience and completing relevant qualifications, such as Level 2 or 3 qualifications in supporting teaching and learning (if you don't already have them), or the Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges.

Experienced teaching assistants can progress to higher level teaching assistant (HLTA) roles, particularly in England and Wales, or into senior, specialist or lead support roles depending on local arrangements.

HLTAs take on more responsibility, including contributing to lesson planning, preparing support materials and leading learning activities. They may also support whole classes under the direction of a teacher, supervise other support staff or coordinate specialist areas such as SEND, literacy, numeracy or digital learning.

Working as a TA can also provide a route into teaching by giving you practical classroom experience and insight into the role of a teacher. Some schools may support this progression, although you'll need to meet the entry requirements for teacher training. See primary school teacher and secondary school teacher for more information on training routes.