How to secure your first teaching assistant role
Teaching assistants play an undeniably vital role in the day-to-day running of the classroom.
With fully qualified teaching roles now presenting
greater challenges than ever before, teaching assistants have become an invaluable source of classroom support.
In one of his TES articles, ex-headteacher Colin Harris (who led a school in a deprived area of Portsmouth for more than two decades) stated that:
“Teaching assistants, without doubt, are the heartbeat of every successful school. […] I do not know one teacher who would be able to function at the level expected of them without their trusted TA by their side.”
In fact, here at
Class People, we’ve recently seen a significant increase in teaching assistant roles across the UK for this very reason!
Why are teaching assistants so essential?
There are lots of ways that teaching assistants offer invaluable classroom support:
1. Helping with lesson prep
Today's teachers typically have quite heavy
workloads, so teaching assistants can contribute to lesson planning and even some administrative tasks to help distribute the weight more productively.
2. Providing an extra pair of eyes
With
class sizes growing steadily bigger, it can be especially tough for teachers to deliver their lessons and keep an eye on pupil behaviour at the same time. A teaching assistant can therefore play the role of the teacher’s “eyes in the back of their head” and ensure that pupils are not being disruptive.
3. Giving extra assistance to pupils
Much like
SEN teaching assistants, general teaching assistants can also support teachers by working directly either with the lower or higher achieving pupils in the classroom.
For pupils in need of additional support, for example, teaching assistants can provide one-to-one help and encouragement with their learning, such as by reading questions aloud for them or helping them to tackle a difficult sum.
4. Providing emotional support
Because of the one-to-one approach teaching assistants frequently provide, pupils will often go to them for emotional support as well as educational help when their classroom teacher is busy.
5. Co-running a lesson
Sometimes, teachers and teaching assistants will join forces to run a lesson together – for example, in a team-based
activity where the class is divided into two groups.
So, how do you become a teaching assistant?
Despite the need and increasing demand for teaching assistants in schools, teaching assistant roles are highly competitive, so there are a number of steps you’ll need to take in order to secure a role:
1. Gain relevant qualifications
One of the things we get asked here a lot at Class People when people apply for
teaching assistant roles is whether they need a specific teaching qualification to be considered.
The minimum requirement to become a teaching assistant is two weeks volunteer experience, alongside a "can do " attitude, and a strong level of empathy to work with children in education. If schools are employing you directly, they will also be looking for at least a Grade C/4 in GCSE English and Maths.
There are also a few other options available to you that will boost your chances of being hired as a teaching assistant, however; for example, college courses can give you a great introduction to working in the school environment, such as the following ones recommended by
Prospects:
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Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Schools
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Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools
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Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
Apprenticeships also offer another valuable route, and once you’re employed by a school, you can also expect to be enrolled on some training courses, including Level 2 and 3 Certifications in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
Working as a teaching assistant is a good indicator as to whether you would like to continue your professional development and go on to become a fully qualified teacher (more on that below)!
2. Undertake work experience
Most schools will expect you to have work experience with children and young people in another setting prior to becoming a teaching assistant. And the more experience you have, the greater your likelihood of securing a role!
Some advantageous work experience opportunities you could engage with include volunteer youth work, running children’s clubs in
sports, creative and performing arts or other activities, childcare, working in another educational setting such as a
playgroup or nursery, or offering private
tutoring.
3. Brush up on additional skills
There are a number of skills that schools will be on the lookout for when you apply for a teaching assistant role. These include (and are not limited to):
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the ability to build good working relationships with both children and adults
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knowing how to manage large groups of pupils
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a sound and practical understanding of behaviour management
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the ability to be organised and simultaneously flexible and creative
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high emotional intelligence/insight
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academic abilities – in particular around literacy and numeracy skills
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IT and community language skills are a considerable bonus
4. Search and apply for available roles
Once you’ve gained some qualifications, undergone some work experience and expanded your skillset, it’s time to start searching and applying! For more information on how to secure your first teaching assistant role, be sure to download and
read our free guide here.
How to use your teaching assistant experience to progress into a fully qualified teaching role
A
research report by the DfE last year found that, of all the teaching assistants they interviewed, over half of them were intending to or considering becoming a fully qualified teacher.
As a teaching assistant, you’ll have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in the classroom environment, and you may have even run or co-run a few lessons – so if you’re looking to become a fully qualified teacher, there really is no better steppingstone from which to take the leap than being a teaching assistant!
There are a number of training options available for teaching assistants who are looking to become a fully qualified teacher:
If you do not have a degree...
… you will need to obtain one! Some of the options here include:
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Studying for a general bachelor’s degree in education (BEd), resulting in qualified teacher status (QTS)
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Studying for a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree with QTS inclusion
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Studying for an undergraduate degree in your preferred subject, then completing either a university-led or school-led PGCE
If you do have a degree...
You will need to follow this up with a PGCE, either through the
university-led route or the school-led route:
In the university-led route, you will learn the theory of teaching in a
classroom setting, and then complete two school teaching placements (totalling 24 weeks).
Are you thinking about becoming a teaching assistant to kick-start your career in education?
We’ve recently seen an increasing demand for teaching assistants from a wealth of reputable schools in the last few months here at Class People. What’s more, we have a number of
teaching assistant roles across the UK just waiting to be filled!