About
Welcome to tatips.com. Whether you are just starting out as a Teaching Assistant (also commonly known as a Classroom Assistant), looking for your first role or wanting to further your career, you will find all the information you need here.
We will answer your questions and give you practical tips and advice to help you get the best possible Teaching Assistant role.
Why consider a career as a Teaching Assistant (TA)?
Teaching Assistants provide support to teachers in both primary and secondary schools. The role is incredibly varied, depending on the age of pupils, their needs and the school.
We’ve put together a Teaching Assistant Job Description that describes some of the key duties and responsibilities.
As well as the long school holidays(!), reasons you might consider a career as a Teaching Assistant include high job satisfaction from helping students succeed and great variety in your day to day role. Read more here.
What qualifications do I need to be a Teaching Assistant?
Qualifications can vary from post to post. The Teaching Assistant job description will set out minimum requirements for literacy and numeracy. Some schools may specify the need to speak a second language. Skills in art, music or ICT (information and communications technology) may also be helpful.
How much can I expect to earn?
Teaching Assistant salaries will vary depending on your level of experience and the number of hours worked. Find out more about Teaching Assistant Pay Scale.
What career progression can I expect?
Vocational training such as NVQs may be possible. Teaching Assistants can progress their careers and become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), Special Needs Teaching Assistant (SEN) or a qualified teacher.
What is a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)?
Learn about the role of a HLTA, How to become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, courses, qualifications and salary expectations.
What is a Special Needs(SEN) Teaching Assistant?
Children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) have learning difficulties and/or disabilities that make it harder for them to learn than others of the same age; they may need extra help, or different forms of help, from other children. Read our Interview Questions for Special Needs Teaching Assistants to see if you make the grade.
How to prepare for a Teaching Assistant Interview
Preparing for an interview should include at least two steps:
- considering questions you can expect to be asked
- questions you may wish to ask.
You may also want to consider what you will wear to create the right impression and how to deal with interview nerves.
Interview questions can vary from the general “Why do you want to be a Teaching Assistant? to more specific questions which ask how you would deal with a challenging situation such as disruptive behaviour.
Remember, the interview is an opportunity to learn more about both the specific Teaching Assistant role and the school itself. Ask the interviewers “How would I be able to help make a difference?” This question will help you to learn more about the school’s ethos and goals, as well as putting you in a good light (everyone loves a team player!). Read more Teaching Assistant Sample Questions and Tips for Answering Them.
Finally, it is only by doing the job that you will really discover if this is the right career for you. Read our 5 Teaching Assistant Interview Tasks you could be asked to perform and you should be ready for any challenge. Good Luck!
