Do Teaching Assistants Get a Blue Light Card?

Teaching assistants give their time, patience, and heart every school day. They support learning. They build confidence. They manage chaos. So it’s fair to ask: do teaching assistants get a Blue Light Card?

Yes. They do.

And if you’re smart about how you use it, the Blue Light Card will save you money, give you perks, and help you feel seen.

Here’s the full guide.

What Is the Blue Light Card?

The Blue Light Card is a discount card for people who work in public service. It started with NHS and emergency workers. Over time, more frontline jobs were added.

In 2024, the Blue Light Card scheme opened to school staff. That includes teaching assistants.

The card gives you discounts in over 15,000 places. These include shops, supermarkets, restaurants, travel sites, and more. It also gives you access to offers that most people don’t see.

This matters more than ever in 2025. With prices rising and TA pay stretched thin, the card helps your money go further.

Do Teaching Assistants Get a Blue Light Card in 2025?

Yes. If you work in a school, you most likely qualify.

The list of eligible workers now includes:

• Teaching assistants
• Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs)
• Learning mentors
• Behaviour support workers
• Teachers and cover staff
• School-based admin or site teams
• SEN support staff
• PRU staff

You need to be employed by a school, not just volunteering. You don’t need to work full-time. You don’t need to be on a permanent contract. You just need to prove that you work in a frontline education support role.

This includes:

• State schools
• Academies
• Multi-academy trusts
• Special needs schools
• Pupil referral units

If you work in an independent or private school, you may still qualify. You’ll just need clear proof of your role.

What Counts as Proof?

The Blue Light Card team will ask for a document that shows:

• Your name
• Your job title
• Your school name
• Your employment status

Good examples include:

• A photo of your school ID badge
• A recent payslip (from the last three months)
• An employment letter from your school

Upload one of these during sign-up. You’ll get a digital card quickly. A plastic card arrives in the post a few days later. The cost is £4.99. That covers you for two full years.

What Can You Save With It?

Teaching assistants across the UK are using their cards to save money in every part of life. Here are examples based on current 2025 deals:

Supermarkets

• Morrisons: 10 percent off in-store (on selected days)
• Iceland: £6 off when you spend £45
• ASDA: savings through special events

TAs report saving over £100 per term just on groceries.

Clothing and School Uniform

• Clarks: 20 percent off before the new school year
• New Look: 15 percent off online
• Adidas and Nike: regular discount codes

Back-to-school season hits hard. This helps take the pressure off.

Tech and Electronics

• Currys: up to 15 percent off tablets, laptops, and accessories
• Samsung: discounts on phones, watches, and earbuds
• EE and Vodafone: reduced monthly bills

Some TAs use this to buy a laptop for lesson prep or training. Others upgrade their phone and reduce monthly costs.

Travel and Days Out

• Haven and Butlin’s: up to 20 percent off family holidays
• Booking.com: selected stays at lower prices
• Merlin attractions: half-price entry for places like LEGOLAND and Alton Towers

If you book your holidays during half-term or summer, this card pays off big.

Food and Drink

• Costa: occasional exclusive codes
• Domino’s: up to 50 percent off
• Frankie & Benny’s: 20 percent off your total bill

Perfect for Friday nights after a long school week.

Why This Card Matters for TAs

The average TA salary sits between £12,000 and £18,000 a year. That’s after term-time pay is adjusted. The role demands a lot:

• Emotional support
• Classroom organisation
• Behaviour management
• SEN guidance
• Academic help

You show up. You hold the class together. You work hard. The Blue Light Card gives something back. It’s a way to stretch your salary without cutting corners. It’s also a rare example of public recognition for a support role that often goes unnoticed.

Other Benefits TAs Should Know About

The Blue Light Card is just the start. Teaching assistants in 2025 can also tap into several other perks—if they know where to look.

Free Training and Development

Many schools offer free CPD sessions. These include:

• SEN training
• Phonics and reading support
• Behaviour and trauma-informed practice
• Mental health first aid

Check with your school or local council. You can also access free or funded courses online through providers like the Education and Training Foundation.

Eye Tests and Health Support

TAs who use screens are entitled to a free eye test every two years. Your school may also offer:

• Health cashback plans
• Flu jabs
• Menopause support
• Mental health sessions through Employee Assistance Programmes

Ask your HR contact or union rep what’s available.

Cycle to Work Scheme

This allows you to buy a bike and safety gear, then repay monthly from your salary. The cost comes out before tax, saving you money.

Many schools offer this—even to part-time staff.

Union Membership Perks

Unions like UNISON or GMB often offer their own discounts. These cover:

• Legal advice
• Insurance deals
• Travel packages
• Supermarket vouchers

If you’re a union member, check your benefits dashboard.

Strategic Moves: Use Perks to Boost Your Career

Think beyond saving. Think about building.

Here’s how to use benefits like the Blue Light Card as a stepping stone:

• Save money monthly, then put that cash toward a Level 3 TA qualification
• Use your CPD credits to apply for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) role
• Buy a laptop with your discount and start a part-time teaching degree
• Fund a specialist SEN or behaviour course with the savings you’ve made

TAs who move forward don’t wait to be offered a path. They make one.

What If You’re Not Eligible Yet?

You may be:

• Volunteering in a school
• On a temporary contract
• Between roles

You might not meet the criteria today. But you can get there. Here’s how:

1. Enrol in a recognised TA course (Level 2 or 3)
2. Ask your school if they’ll pay for it or reimburse part of the cost
3. Start logging hours and building experience
4. Once you’re officially hired—even part-time—you qualify for the card

Some schools even support Blue Light applications directly. Ask your business manager or head.

How TAs Are Using the Card in Real Life

TAs across the UK shared their wins this year: “I used the discount at Currys to buy a laptop for my HLTA training. Saved £90.”

— Ella, Key Stage 2 TA, Leicester

“My son’s school shoes, my groceries, even our holiday park—it’s all added up. I’ve saved more than £400.”

— Darren, SEN TA, Newcastle

“We get paid for 44 weeks, not 52. So I need to stretch every pound. This card helps me breathe a bit.”

— Amira, Secondary TA, Croydon

These stories show one thing. You don’t need to work magic to make a difference—you just need the right tools.

Final Word: Know the Value You Bring

You’re not “just” a TA. You’re a key worker. You help children read, calm their nerves, focus in class, and believe in themselves. You carry routines, hand out smiles, and give structure to students who need it most.

You matter.

And yes—teaching assistants get a Blue Light Card in 2025. Because the country finally sees the role for what it is: vital. Use the card. Maximise the perks. And don’t stop there. Turn small wins into long-term gains—for you and your future.

Ready to save big? Enrol in our online Teaching Assistant Course at Wise Campus and discover all your TA perks!