Introduction

Teaching assistants work in schools with teachers in order to help provide relevant learning experiences for children. There is a wide range of actual job titles in use – classroom assistant, general assistant, learning support assistant, and in Scotland the term auxiliary is used for staff supporting children with special educational needs.

Teaching assistants are employed by those authorities which are responsible for providing education services – county councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan district councils, London boroughs, and the education and library boards of Northern Ireland. In practice, many of the employer functions are carried out at school level. There are an estimated 60,000 currently employed throughout the UK, with the number expected to rise in England and Scotland as a result of the policies of the respective governments.

Work Environment

Whatever their title, teaching assistants are based in primary, secondary or special schools. In primary and special schools they may be primarily responsible for supporting one child or a small group of children with special needs, or they may be attached to a particular class. In secondary schools they are more likely to be working with one child across all areas of the curriculum. Some employing authorities in urban areas appoint staff to a central pool and deploy them to schools as required.

Daily Activities

In essence the job is about supporting teachers and supporting pupils. Regular activities will include supervising small groups of children undertaking learning activities, assisting individual children to complete learning tasks, handling routine classroom administrative duties, assisting in managing pupil behaviour around the school, dealing with minor accidents. Other duties may include liaising with parents and with other professionals, supporting the use of computers within the school, observing and recording pupil progress, listening to children read, providing support to pupils in specific areas of the curriculum, playground/lunchtime supervision.

Skills & Interests

Above all teaching assistants must have the aptitude and inter-personal skills necessary for developing and maintaining effective working relationships with both children and adults. This includes being able to give respect to all children and their families, whatever their cultural background. An interest in learning and a willingness to be flexible and creative are also important qualities.

Entry Requirements

There is currently a range of qualifications available which have relevance to the work of teaching assistants, especially for those staff working with very young children. However personal qualities, previous relevant experience and the potential to develop the necessary skills tend to weigh more at interview than any specific qualifications.

Many employing authorities have a range of in-house training programmes, some with external accreditation. Access to this will be determined primarily by the school in which the teaching assistant is employed.

Estimated salary range

Salaries vary according to the expectations of the post, but generally speaking the salary range is £12,400 – £13,900 possibly rising to £16,000+ in some areas.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

With the right training and development, it is possible to become a higher level teaching assistant, or in some cases go on to become a teacher by doing initial teacher training. It may also be possible to move to other areas of children’s services, such as childcare.

The Training and Development Agency for Schools have published a career development framework for school support staff that maps school job roles against qualifications and training that are available. Visit the TDA website for more information.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Educating Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

Higher Level Teaching Assistants Information www.hlta.gov.uk

Education jobs www.eteach.com

Website providing help, advice and job related information for nursery nurses www.nurserynurses.co.uk

You may find further information about this area of work in your local Connexions service/careers office/school careers library – under F.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government Teaching/Classroom Assistant vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.