Teaching Assistant Jobs
We have a wide range of teaching assistant vacancies currently available in schools around the country. To have a look at the latest Teaching Assistant jobs, click here.
The role of Teaching Assistant is suited to those who likes working with children and is a very satisfying job, offering the opportunity to support their learning and development.
Teaching Assistants work in close collaboration with school teachers, making certain students are looked after in the classroom.
If you are thinking about a career in teaching, a Teaching Assistant role is a great way to gain experience of school life.
Teaching Assistants provide help to students if the teacher is preoccupied with other children in the classroom, giving the opportunity to learn about different subject areas and learning how best to respond to students.
Many nurseries, primary and junior and secondary schools, plus special schools and independent schools will have need of Teaching Assistants.
Teaching Assistant Responsibilities:
- Giving extra support to students with special needs, or international language students
- Helping students with reading, writing, numeracy or other learning
- Supporting students through encouragement
- Helping the teacher correct and mark students’ work
- Helping the teacher arrange the classroom for lessons, plus events, such as school trips
- Attending teacher reviews and other meetings
Qualifications and criteria
Although qualifications are not a requirement of becoming a teaching assistant, many schools can be more selective and may favour candidates who have qualifications.
Candidates may, for example, be expected to have some experience of working with children, as well as good reading, writing and numeracy skills. Other requirements may include GSCE level qualifications in Maths and English. Schools will also be expected to carry out a background check through the Disclosure and barring service.
We recommend volunteering part-time in a local school before training as a teaching assistant if you do not already have prior experience of working in a school. Apprentice schemes also exist which may support you if you meet the criteria.