All Job Categories
Teaching assistant
Classroom assistant, learning support assistant
Teaching assistants support teachers and help children with reading, writing and learning activities.
Average salary (a year)
£18000
Starter
£23000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
16.0 to 32.0 hours
term time
Work Hours
evenings
occasionally
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:a college course; an apprenticeship; volunteering; applying directly
College
You could take a college qualification to get started, for example
Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education, T Level in Education and Early Years
Entry requirements
You may need:
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
search for courses|/find-a-course
Apprenticeship
You could do the Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to become a teaching assistant.
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Volunteering
You could get experience by volunteering in a local school or community organisation.
Volunteering can sometimes lead to paid work or a chance to get a qualification.
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. A qualification in nursery work, childcare, playwork or youth work will give you an advantage.
More Information
Career Tips
Many teaching assistants specialise in the kind of extra help they give, for example
languages, behavioural, pastoral, special needs support
Further Information
Teaching assistants are employed term-time only. This can vary from a few hours a week up to full time.
Advertised pay rates are also 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.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Related Restrictions
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
As a teaching assistant, you could
help teachers prepare lesson materials, set up and tidy classrooms for lessons, work with students to make sure they understand, watch, record and report the progress students make, look after children who are upset or unwell, lead classes with help from the teacher
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 & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could take a course to become a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA).
With further study you could become a fully qualified teacher. You can learn about routes into teaching from Get into teaching
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
Powered by
Claim your school or college profile