Teaching Assistant/Learning Support Assistant

Teaching assistants/learning support assistants work alongside teachers in the classroom, helping pupils to get the most out of their learning.

In a nursery or primary school, with children aged three to eleven, a teaching assistant's tasks may include.

• setting up equipment and getting things ready for lessons
• listening to children read, reading to them or telling stories
• helping children with special educational needs
• helping the teacher to maintain records.

Most teaching assistants in secondary schools work as special needs assistants.

Higher level teaching assistants (HLTAs) are experienced teaching assistants who plan and deliver learning activities under the direction of a teacher and assess, record and report on pupils' progress.

Full-time teaching assistants normally work regular school hours, Monday to Friday, term time only. They may sometimes have to be at school at other times, such as for training days or parents' evenings. Many teaching assistants work part time.

Salaries range from around £12,000 to over £20,000.

Teaching assistants should:

• be able to build good relationships with children, teachers, parents and carers
• be able to work well with the teachers they support
• have good spoken and written communication skills
• have good numeracy and computer skills
• be aware of child protection and safety procedures
• have lots of energy
• be interested in children's development and learning.

Teaching assistants work throughout the UK, in nursery and primary education, special schools and mainstream secondary schools. They are employed directly by schools or by local education authorities (LEAs).

There are no set entry requirements. LEAs or individual school decide themselves on the qualifications and experience they require. They usually ask for applicants to have good reading, writing and numeracy skills and experience of working with children.

There are Apprenticeships in supporting teaching and learning in schools.

Teaching assistants are usually trained on the job by teaching staff or senior teaching assistants. They may work towards qualifications in supporting teaching and learning in schools, such as NVQs at Levels 2 and 3. Experienced teaching assistants may be able to study for a foundation degree.

With HLTA status, a foundation degree or equivalent qualifications, teaching assistants may be able to progress to teacher training by taking a degree leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Teaching assistants can also move into other kinds of work with children.

Further details