Is Being a Teaching Assistant Worth It UK? One Job, Many Questions

“I love the job, but I couldn’t pay my heating bill last winter.”

— Chloe, Teaching Assistant, Leeds

Chloe has worked in a primary school for six years. She helps children read, handles tricky behaviour, and comforts those who come in hungry or tired. She works 30 hours a week, 39 weeks a year. Her take-home pay? £1,280 a month.

She doesn’t drive. She skips lunch sometimes. She’s still smiling.

So let’s ask the real question: Is being a teaching assistant worth it UK. We dug into the pay, workload, union action, and career routes behind the job. Here’s what we found.

What exactly do teaching assistant roles involve?

Teaching assistant roles vary a lot by school. But the job always means supporting learning. Most TAs do things like:

• Help with reading, maths or writing tasks
• Support pupils with special needs
• Keep pupils focused and calm
• Set up the classroom
• Manage minor behaviour issues
• Comfort upset or anxious children

Some roles are tied to a specific child. Others work across a whole class. A Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) can even lead lessons. And in 2025, many TAs are asked to cover for absent teachers—often without extra pay. Learn more about teaching assistant roles here.

What are the requirements to be a teaching assistant?

You don’t always need a formal qualification to become a TA. But schools usually look for:

• GCSEs in English and maths (grades 4 or above)
• Some experience with children (paid or volunteer)
• Patience, calm, and strong communication

If you want to stand out, you can take a Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning. Or apply for a TA apprenticeship, which lets you earn while you train. Many TAs also complete safeguarding and first aid courses during the job.

What is a teaching assistant salary in the UK?

Let’s break this down. TA pay usually follows the National Joint Council (NJC) pay scale. Schools use this to set pay points based on experience and duties.

But here’s the twist: most TA jobs are term-time only and part-time. So even if the full-time rate looks decent, the real monthly pay is often much lower.

UK Teaching Assistant Pay Breakdown (2025 Figures)

Role LevelFTE Annual SalaryMonthly Take-Home (Typical)Notes

✔ Truth:

Most TAs earn less than £18,000 in real terms, once holidays and reduced hours are factored in.

What do the unions say?

Teaching unions are starting to speak up louder. Both UNISON and the National Education Union (NEU) have warned about rising workloads and stagnant pay. UNISON called TAs the “glue holding schools together” but said many are “overworked and undervalued.”

They also noted:

• 27% of support staff earn £1,200–£1,399 per month2
• Nearly 80% worry about paying for food, bills, or housing
• 39% are covering full classes every week

The NEU backed this, calling for clearer job boundaries. They say TAs should not “teach by default” just because no cover teacher is available.

“You’re managing a whole class, but your payslip says support staff.”

— NEU Spokesperson, 2024 Conference

Do you get a pension and sick leave?

Yes—and this part often goes unnoticed. If you work in a local authority school, you usually join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

This is a defined benefit pension. That means:

• Your payout depends on how long you work and how much you earn
• It’s not tied to risky stock markets
• It pays a regular income when you retire

You also get:

• Paid sick leave (based on service)
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Annual leave (factored into term-time pay)
• Union support if things go wrong

Is there a career path?

Yes, but you need to plan ahead.

Most TAs start as Level 1 or 2. From there, you can:

• Train to be a HLTA and lead lessons
• Specialise in SEND or EAL support
• Join school leadership as a learning mentor
• Retrain as a qualified teacher

Many teacher training routes accept TAs—especially if you already hold a degree. Some schools help fund that training.

✔ Truth:

There’s no clear national ladder. If your school won’t support your growth, you’ll need to look elsewhere or push for funding.

What’s the workload like?

This depends on your school. But common tasks include:

• Running interventions (maths, phonics, handwriting)
• One-to-one support for children with SEN
• Marking or prep work for small groups
• De-escalating behaviour issues
• Personal care (toileting, feeding) for some students

If you’re HLTA level, you might also:

• Plan and lead full lessons
• Cover for absent teachers
• Manage a TA team

Most TAs say the work is rewarding—but exhausting.

“You don’t sit at a desk all day. You’re moving, fixing, guiding, and calming people. Then doing it again five minutes later.”

— Sophie, Primary TA, Bristol

Is being a teaching assistant worth it UK? (Let’s be honest)

It depends on what matters to you.

✔ If you value:

• Helping children every day
• Clear working hours
• Long holidays
• Team support
• Job security
• A good pension

Then yes, it can be very worth it.

✘ But if you want:

• Fast promotion
• High pay
• Public recognition
• Light workloads
• Flexible location moves

Then you may struggle in the long run. The pay still falls short of what many TAs deserve. The job has grown bigger without the salary catching up. And covering classes for teacher pay—without teacher pay—is unfair.

But many stay. And many love it.

Final verdict

The TA role gives a lot—and takes a bit too much, sometimes. If schools had more funding, if pay matched duties, and if cover teaching came with extra support, this job would be gold. Until then, it remains an underrated career for those with strong hearts and sharp instincts.

Self-check: Is the TA role right for me?

Tick all that apply:

• I enjoy working with children
• I can stay calm under pressure
• I want a job with purpose
• I need school holidays off
• I’m OK with modest pay
• I want to grow into teaching or SEN support
• I like working as part of a team

1. 6–7 ticks? Go for it.
2. 3–5 ticks? Think it through.
3. 0–2 ticks? You might be better off elsewhere.

If you’re ready to explore teaching assistant roles near you, check school websites, local authority job boards, and platforms like Tes or Indeed.

Just remember: support staff don’t get the loudest applause. But they often make the biggest difference.

Ready to start your teaching assistant journey? Join Wise Campus’s online Teaching Assistant Course and unlock your potential today!