What does a teaching assistant do?

Teaching assistants (TAs) are essential - they have been referred to as the eyes and ears of the teacher. They work with teachers, helping with classroom organisation, supporting children with their work and assisting with administrative tasks.

Teaching assistants are known by a number of different titles, including teacher associates, classroom assistants, classroom aides, general assistants and learning support assistants.

TAs work in primary, secondary and special schools. Obviously their roles vary depending on the types of school they work in, but generally they can be divided into the following four categories:

Supporting children: supervising small groups of children while they work on a task, helping individual children with their work, listening to them read, helping develop their social skills.

Supporting the teacher: handling routine classroom administrative duties, helping to manage pupil behaviour around the school, dealing with minor accidents, playground/lunchtime supervision.

Supporting the curriculum: this might include supporting children using computers within the school, observing and recording children's progress, supporting children in specific areas of the curriculum.

Supporting the school: working with parents and with other professionals.

What qualifications will I need?

At present no formal qualifications are required, although it can help you to get a job if you have previous experience of voluntary or paid work with children, or if you have completed one of the many courses for teaching assistants which exist across the UK.

Most Local Education Authorities (LEAs) will ask new teaching assistants to undergo some form of induction training. This helps make sure they are familiar with the school and are clear about how to support teachers in the vital areas of numeracy, literacy and behaviour.

Many schools and LEAs have a range of training programmes, some with external accreditation. These usually include an element of school-based training. National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at Levels 2 and 3 for teaching assistants based on the National Occupational Standards are also offered by some schools, LEAs and colleges.

Training material is available on the Department for Education and Skills website: www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachingassistants

Do I have the right skills?

You will need to be able to build good working relationships with both children and adults. This includes being able to give respect and understanding to all children and their families, whatever their cultural background.

What can I earn?

Salaries vary according to the job description but generally range between £12,400 and £13,900, possibly rising to £16,000+ in some areas.

To get an exact figure you need to contact your local council directly.

Where should I look for a teaching assistant's job?

• Contact your LEA or local schools directly
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by LEAs
• Local council websites
• Local newspapers

For more information on how to become a teaching assistant, see www.teachernet.gov.uk.

Based on an article by Sangita Panday

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