Teaching Assistant
Teaching assistants help teachers in schools. They may have other job titles, such as classroom assistant, non-teaching assistant or learning support assistant.
Teaching assistants usually work with small groups or with individual children. Their duties vary depending
on the particular job and the age of the children. In primary schools their work can include:
· helping to get the classroom ready for lessons
· listening to children read, reading to them or telling them stories
· helping children with number work
· helping children who need extra support to complete tasks
· helping with art and craft activities and displaying work
· looking after children who are upset or have had accidents
· playing educational games with children and encouraging younger children to learn through
play
· helping with outings and sports events
· helping with routine administrative tasks
In secondary schools most teaching assistants work with individuals or small groups of pupils who have disabilities or learning difficulties.
Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) have more responsibility. Their duties can include working alongside teachers to support learning activities.
· helping to plan lessons and prepare teaching materials
· assessing, recording and reporting on the progress of pupils they work with
· acting as specialist assistants for particular subjects
· supervising the class in teachers' absence
· supervising other support staff
Hours and Environment
As a teaching assistant you will work during school hours, Monday to Friday during term-time. You may be involved in activities such as staff training and school outings which could involve working extra hours. Many teaching assistants work part-time. You will mainly work on school premises, either alongside the teacher in the classroom, or with individual pupils or small groups in a separate room.
Skills and Interests to be a teaching assistant you should:
· enjoy working with children and be interested in education
· be able to build good relationships with children, parents and carers, and teachers
· be able to work well under the supervision of a teacher and enjoy working as part of a team
· be willing to be flexible and creative
· have good literacy and numeracy skills
· be patient but firm when necessary
· have lots of energy
In some jobs it could be useful if you have other skills such as computer literacy or fluency in community languages.
Opportunities
You can work as a teaching assistant throughout the UK, in: · nursery, infant or junior schools
· special schools
· mainstream secondary schools
· independent schools
Sign up for the Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) Course |
