Teaching assistants (TAs) are central to daily life in schools, supporting pupils and teachers in and out of the classroom. It is a popular way into education, whether as a long-term career or as a stepping stone towards qualified teaching. This guide explains what the role involves and how to break into it. School vacancies, including support roles, appear regularly on our council jobs listings, as many TAs are employed by local authorities.
What a teaching assistant does
The job varies between schools and age groups, but most TAs do a mix of supporting learning, preparing resources and helping pupils who need extra attention. Some specialise in supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which can be a higher-graded role.
- Working with individuals or small groups to reinforce what the teacher has taught.
- Helping prepare the classroom, materials and displays.
- Supporting pupils with additional needs, sometimes one-to-one.
- Helping with supervision, behaviour and pastoral care.
Do you need qualifications?
There is no single mandatory qualification to become a TA, and requirements are set by individual schools. Many ask for good GCSEs in English and maths (or equivalent), and a relevant qualification such as a Level 2 or Level 3 award in supporting teaching and learning is a strong advantage. For higher-level teaching assistant (HLTA) status, schools look for more experience and a Level 4 qualification.
- GCSE English and maths at grade 4/C or above is commonly expected.
- Level 2 or 3 certificates or diplomas in supporting teaching and learning are valued.
- An enhanced DBS check is required because you work with children.
- Experience with children, paid or voluntary, strengthens any application.
Getting experience
Hands-on experience matters more than almost anything else. Volunteering at a local school, helping at a holiday club, or working in childcare all demonstrate that you can work with children and within a school environment. If you can, ask a school about volunteering one morning a week; it often leads to references and an inside track on vacancies. Because the role involves working with children, you will need an enhanced check, and our guide to DBS checks explains how that works.
Finding and applying for roles
TA vacancies are advertised through local authority job sites, individual school websites and education job boards. Schools usually ask for an application form and a supporting statement rather than a CV, so tailor your statement to the person specification and give concrete examples of relevant experience. Our guide to writing a supporting statement walks through how to do this well.
Where it can lead
Many people use a TA post as a foundation for a teaching career, moving on to qualified teacher status through routes such as a teaching apprenticeship or school-based training. If that interests you, our overview of routes to qualified teacher status sets out the options. Others build a long and valued career as an HLTA or SEND specialist.
This is general information to help you get started, not formal careers advice. Requirements differ between schools and local authorities and can change, so always read the specific job advert and person specification carefully.