Childcare and Education - Teaching Assistant
Childcare and Education - Teaching Assistant
Amber
Teaching assistants support teachers and help children with reading, writing and learning activities.
- Help teachers prepare lesson materials
- Set up and tidy classrooms for lessons
- Work with students to make sure they understand
- Watch, record and report the progress students make
- Look after children who are upset or unwell
- Lead classes with help from the teacher
As a Teaching Assistant, you could work at a school or at a special needs school.
Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.
Teaching Assistants tend to work between 30 to 40 hours a week (term-time). You could work occasional evenings for meetings and events.
Starting: £14,000
Experienced: £21,000
You can get into this job through a college course, an apprenticeship, volunteering, applying directly.
You could take a college qualification to get started, for example:
- Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
- Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
- T Level in Education and Early Years
You may need:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
You could do the Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship to become a teaching assistant. You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship.
You could get experience by volunteering in a local school or community organisation. Volunteering can sometimes lead to paid work or a chance to get a qualification. You can apply directly for jobs through schools, local authorities and academy trusts. Each school sets its own entry requirements, though you'll usually need GCSEs grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and maths.