What is a Teaching Assistant?
Teaching assistants, also known as TAs, are the unsung heroes of the classroom, offering support to teachers and students across various education levels. They’re essentially the teacher’s co-pilot — there to lend a hand, explain the tricky stuff and answer any burning questions a student might have.
Teaching assistants are now regarded as recognised professionals and their skills are integral to primary and secondary schools, nurseries, special needs institutions, and even higher education centres.
What are the responsibilities of a TA?
Being a teaching assistant is like being the Robin to the teacher’s Batman. Typically, you will assist the lead teacher by helping with various tasks, from preparing materials for lessons to arranging super cool educational displays.
You’re also the go-to person to give that extra boost to students who might need it, whether it’s providing additional support to special educational needs (SEN) students, or students who require extra help understanding subject matter.
The responsibilities of a teaching assistant will vary based on the specific role, often depending on the level of education being taught and the experience of the TA. Nevertheless, here are some of the day-to-day tasks a TA may carry out:
- Acting as the teacher’s main support in all learning activities.
- Providing focused additional support in small group or one-to-one sessions, including SEN children.
- Taking the time to work with children to improve their reading skills.
- Helping teachers to prepare the classroom for learning activities.
- Creating engaging and educational displays that showcase the children’s work or key topics.
- Working with children, parents, and teachers to manage children’s behaviour.
- Communicating with parents and guardians to monitor progress and manage any concerns.
- Collaborating with the teacher to plan and deliver learning activities and ensure classes run smoothly.
How to become a Teaching Assistant
Becoming a teaching assistant requires relevant qualifications, experience, and a whole lot of dedication. Below are the key ingredients you’ll need to set you on your way:
Gain relevant qualifications: Mandatory qualifications typically include GCSEs in Maths and English, or equivalent certifications in literacy and numeracy, such as Functional Skills. Confidence in both maths and English is crucial for a teaching assistant to effectively support pupils in their learning.
Gain experience: Gaining experience within an educational setting can significantly enhance your prospects. Consider volunteering in schools, nurseries, or educational programs to gain practical experience working with children or young adults. This experience showcases your commitment and familiarity with classroom dynamics.
Pursue relevant courses: Enrolling on courses specifically designed for teaching assistants can be immensely beneficial to your career in education. These courses offer insights into classroom management, child development, and teaching methodologies, further preparing you for the role. They can also do wonders for your CV.
Depending on your experience, you can choose from a range of level 2 and level 3 courses and qualifications to help you start your journey.
Apply for positions: Once you’ve acquired the necessary qualifications and experience, you can start applying for teaching assistant positions in schools, colleges, or educational institutions.
Professional development: During your career as a teaching assistant, your remit is likely to grow as your responsibilities increase. For example, you may need to work with children with special educational needs, or children who require more pastoral care. In cases such as these, you will need to have specialist knowledge under your belt to enable you to support these pupils. Or you may wish to move up the career ladder and increase your earning potential, which you can achieve by becoming a higher level teaching assistant.