In our review of different careers, we take a look at how to become a teaching assistant. We also look at what a teaching assistant does, and what skills and attributes it takes to become a teaching assistant.
What Does a Teaching Assistant Do?
A teaching assistant works in a classroom environment as an assistant to the teacher. They work with the teacher to ensure that pupils are supported appropriately in a safe learning environment.
Sometimes a teaching assistant is working with the entire class and acting as support for the teacher, but other times they are hired to work one on one with a specific pupil who may have special needs.
As a teaching assistant, your day to day duties might include helping set up the classroom ready for learning, listening to the children read or reading to them, looking after children who are upset, taking care of children who have had 'accidents', helping any children who need extra support to complete their work, clearing away after lessons, sometimes going on school trips that may go over your usual working hours, helping teachers to manage classroom behaviour.
Working as a teaching assistant can be a very challenging and rewarding role for anyone who has a natural love of children and young people. Your working hours will usually be 8am until 4pm Monday to Friday.
Is Becoming a Teaching Assistant Right For Me?
Anyone wishing to become a teaching assistant will need to have the following skills and attributes.
- An amazing level of patience
- A sense of humour
- Experience of children
- Have a basic understanding of how children learn
- Good reading, writing and numeracy skills
- Excellent teamwork ability
- The ability to deal with challenging behaviour
How Much Can a Teaching Assistant Earn?
The salary for a teaching assistant is likely to be between £13,000 and £18,000 per year. As a higher level teaching assistant, you can earn between £16,000 and £21,000 per year, and as a senior higher level teaching assistant you can earn from £21,000 to £25,000 per year.
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Teaching Assistant?
There are no set qualifications that you must have to become a teaching assistant, although there are qualifications that will give you a big advantage when it comes to getting the job. You might want to consider Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools or a Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools. In addition to this, your prospective employer will ideally what you to have had some experience in working with children.
