Teaching assistant
Supporting a class or an individual pupil in a primary or secondary school. The usual way into education without a degree.
Also called: TA, learning support assistant, SEN TA
What it pays
£18,000 to £25,000 actual pay, often quoted as a full time equivalent of £22,000 to £28,000 because term time only contracts are pro rata. Check which one an advert means.
The hours
School hours, term time only. Around 32 to 37 hours a week for 39 weeks.
How you get in
- Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification helps but is not always required
- Enhanced DBS on the children's barred list
- GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or above for most schools
The tickets and qualifications employers ask for
Level 3 Teaching Assistant Paediatric first aid Safeguarding (Keeping Children Safe in Education) SEN specific training
What you should not be paying for
Schools fund safeguarding and first aid. Level 3 can sometimes be funded through an apprenticeship while you work.
What people like about it
- Hours that fit around school age children
- A real route into teaching if you want it
- The work is visibly worthwhile
What is genuinely hard
- Term time pay spread over twelve months is less than it looks
- Behaviour and SEN work is demanding
- Progression usually needs further study
Where it leads
- Higher level teaching assistant
- Cover supervisor
- SEN specialist
- Teacher training through an apprenticeship or PGCE
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