Do Teaching Assistants Do Lesson Plans?

Do teaching assistants do lesson plans? Ask around, and you’ll get five answers, all different. Some say never. Others say sometimes. A few swear they know TAs who run the whole show.

So who’s right?

Let’s set the record straight. TAs don’t just sharpen pencils and pass out glue sticks anymore. They’re in reading groups, maths circles, phonics drills, and even lesson planning meetings. If you think “teaching assistant roles” only include cutting out stars for displays, brace yourself—we’re flipping that myth on its head.

What Does a Teaching Assistant Do—Really?

Let’s clear this one up first.

What does a teaching assistant do? More than you think. And more than most people give them credit for. TAs help kids stay on track. They explain tricky bits. They support children with special needs. They calm meltdowns. They catch the quiet kid who’s falling behind before anyone else notices.

Some work one-on-one. Others help a group. Some cover classes. Others lead booster sessions or reading catch-ups. Some stay late to run clubs. Some arrive early to prep spelling games. They’re everywhere.

And no—they don’t just sit in the corner with a stack of worksheets. Want to get the full scoop on teaching assistant roles before we dive in? Check out our blog for a closer look at what TAs really do—and why they’re the unsung heroes of the classroom.

The Big Question: Do Teaching Assistants Do Lesson Plans?

Alright, back to the main point: Do teaching assistants do lesson plans?

Short answer? Not usually. Long answer? It depends who you’re talking about.

Let’s break it down:

• Level 1–3 TAs don’t plan full lessons. They support the plans that the teacher creates. They might prep materials, but they don’t decide what’s taught.
• HLTAs (Higher Level Teaching Assistants) can plan lessons—but only if a teacher gives the green light.

Here’s the key: the teacher stays responsible. Even if a TA leads a session, a qualified teacher must still guide the content. So yes, some TAs help shape lessons. But they don’t do it solo. It’s a tag-team job.

Lesson Planning Is a Relay, Not a Solo Sprint

Think of lesson planning like a relay race. The teacher starts the run. Then, if needed, they hand the baton to a TA. Not just any TA though—usually a trained HLTA. Here’s how it works.

The teacher lays the groundwork. They decide what the class needs to learn. The HLTA then plans the activity to reach that goal. Maybe it’s a quiz. Maybe it’s a group challenge. Maybe it’s a game that teaches fractions using pizza slices. (Yes, that’s a real one. And it works.)

The HLTA tweaks things based on what they know about the class. But they don’t go off-road. They follow the map the teacher drew. Teamwork. Not takeover.

Myth-Busting Time: TAs Just Follow Orders?

Let’s bust a common myth: “TAs just follow orders.”

Wrong.

Many teaching assistants lead small group lessons on their own. Some adjust activities mid-session when they see a student struggling. Others suggest new ideas that teachers hadn’t even thought of. Here’s a real-world example.

A TA notices four pupils keep missing the same grammar point. They tell the teacher. They suggest a mini-session to plug the gap. The teacher agrees. The TA plans a 15-minute revision game. Boom—kids get it.

Was that a full “lesson plan”? No. But did the TA plan a learning moment? Absolutely.

Lesson planning isn’t always about big binders and colour-coded folders. Sometimes it’s a quick win with big results.

When Do TAs Plan, Then?

There are a few times when teaching assistants plan activities:

1. During interventions: These are short sessions for kids who need extra help.
2. When covering PPA time: HLTAs often plan and lead lessons while the teacher has planning time.
3. During small group work: TAs might plan how to teach a tricky concept to a handful of pupils.
4. When running clubs or extra sessions: After-school art club? Spelling challenge group? That’s often all TA-led.

In every case, the TA knows the goal. They work with the teacher to make it happen. No rogue lesson plans. No solo acts. Just collaboration.

But Should TAs Be Planning Lessons?

Good question. And the answer isn’t simple.

Some schools encourage it. Others don’t. It often comes down to confidence, training, and school culture. Some TAs love planning. They feel trusted and valued. Others worry they’re stepping on toes or doing a teacher’s job without teacher pay.

Here’s the bottom line:

• If a TA wants to plan more and gets the support to do it? Great.
• If a TA feels forced to plan without help or pay? That’s a problem.

Lesson planning should never be a surprise part of the job. It should be clear. Shared. Agreed. And fair.

TAs Aren’t Just Support—They’re Specialists Too

Some teaching assistants bring specialist skills to the table. A few examples:

• A TA who speaks another language supports EAL learners.
• A former actor now TA uses drama to boost literacy.
• A TA with dyslexia training runs spelling interventions.

These TAs often shape the sessions they run. They don’t just copy what’s in the teacher’s folder. They bring ideas. They adjust the pace. They try something new. That’s not breaking the rules. That’s smart support. 

Lesson Planning for SEN: A TA Superpower

Nowhere is this clearer than in SEN support. TAs who work with pupils with special needs often plan how to break down the day. They think ahead. What might trigger anxiety? When will this student need a break? How can I make this work for them?

They adjust the task. Change the format. Use a different font. Add visuals. Create movement breaks. These are all tiny “lesson plans” in action. It’s not formal. But it’s crucial. SEN TAs often know these pupils best. So they help shape learning in a way that lands.

So What’s the Line? What’s Too Much?

Here’s the line: TAs support. Teachers lead. TAs bring energy, insight, and care. Teachers set the direction. Together, they create a better experience for students.

But if a TA finds themselves planning five lessons a week, with no training, no support, and no recognition? That’s not right. No one wants to feel used. So schools need to be clear. What’s expected? What’s optional? What gets paid extra?

Good planning = good teamwork. But it should always be fair.

Real Voices: What TAs Say About Planning

“I don’t mind planning activities,” says Janine, a Level 3 TA. “But I need time and support to do it well.”

“I love planning science investigations,” says Luke, an HLTA. “It’s where I shine. But I always check with the teacher first.”

“It got too much,” says Maria, a SEN TA. “I was doing more than the teacher but earning half. I spoke up, and things changed.”

These stories matter. Because the work is real. And it deserves real respect.

Teaching Assistant Roles Are Evolving

Let’s be honest. The old view of a TA is out of date. Today, teaching assistant roles are broader, deeper, and more dynamic. Some lead lessons. Some run wellbeing sessions. Others plan literacy games that boost whole-class progress. The role has grown. And so have expectations.

That’s not a bad thing. It shows trust. It shows value. But schools need to support that growth. With training. With pay. And with a clear idea of what TAs can—and should—do.

Do Teaching Assistants Want to Plan Lessons?

Many do. Especially those who see the classroom as their long-term career. Planning gives them ownership. It lets them share ideas. It helps them learn what works.

But they also want boundaries. Clear roles. Fair recognition. No one wants to be the backup teacher with no thanks and no voice. But plenty want to be part of the learning journey—right from the start.

Final Thought: It’s Not Just a Yes or No

So—do teaching assistants do lesson plans?

Not always. Not in full. But more often than people think. And often with a big impact. It’s not a black-and-white question. It’s a shared process. A back-and-forth. A tag team.

Lesson planning isn’t one person’s job anymore. It’s a conversation. It’s a chance to build something better together. And if your TA is in that room, helping build that plan? That’s not stepping in. That’s stepping up.

Kickstart your career—enrol in the Teaching Assistant Course at Wise Campus and learn everything you need to thrive in the classroom!