What Do Teaching Assistants Do in the UK? Your 2025 Guide

Have you ever wondered, what do teaching assistants do in schools? These dedicated professionals are often the unsung heroes of education. They work tirelessly. TAs support students every day. They also assist teachers. Their role is vital. It’s growing more important. This guide will show you their responsibilities. We’ll cover their impact, too. You’ll learn about their career paths. We will also share what’s new for 2025. Get ready to discover this rewarding job.

Who Are Teaching Assistants (TAs)?

Teaching assistants, or TAs, are crucial school staff. They help children learn. They support the classroom environment. TAs work closely with teachers. They make school days run smoothly. Their work directly helps students succeed. Many schools rely heavily on them. They are key players in education.

What Do Teaching Assistants Do in the UK?

A TA’s day is always busy. Their core duties are very diverse. They support the class teacher. They also help students directly. Their general purpose is clear. They enhance learning and development and help create a positive school. This includes an inclusive environment. They have many key tasks. 

• TAs help with learning activities. They reinforce lessons every day. They listen to children read and guide small group work. Some TAs work one-on-one. They help students understand topics better.
• TAs also manage the classroom. They help keep things orderly. They prepare learning resources. They create engaging displays while keeping the classroom tidy. This helps teachers focus on teaching.
• Administrative tasks are also common. TAs do photocopying. They manage files and organise supplies. They prepare lesson materials. This lightens the teacher’s load.
• Pastoral care is another big part. TAs support emotional well-being. They promote good social skills. They supervise playtime and ensure student safety. They are often a trusted adult.
• Monitoring and feedback are important. TAs observe student progress. They give feedback to teachers. This helps teachers adjust plans. They understand student engagement better and also see if students grasp concepts.
• TAs often help with technology. They assist pupils with computers. They support educational apps and make sure ICT runs smoothly. This is becoming more common. So, what is teaching assistant responsibilities? They are broad and essential.

How Do TAs Support Students with Special Needs?

TAs play a critical role. They support students with SEN. SEN means Special Educational Needs. This support is often specialised. TAs work with many conditions. They help students with autism, assist those with dyslexia and help children with physical needs.

They provide tailored support. This might be one-to-one. Or they work in small groups. They adapt learning materials and make activities easier. They help students participate fully. This promotes inclusion. TAs help with communication. They might use sign language. They might use picture cards. They assist with mobility and help with personal care. This depends on the student’s needs.

They work with teachers closely. They also work with SENCOs. SENCOs are Special Needs Coordinators. TAs help implement EHCPs. These are Education, Health and Care Plans. EHCPs outline specific support. Their help is absolutely vital here. They make a huge difference.

Does a TA’s Job Change Across Different School Stages?

Yes, a TA’s job changes. It varies by school stage. The core support remains. But the daily tasks differ. The focus shifts slightly.

• In Early Years, TAs nurture young children. They focus on play-based learning, help with foundational skills. This includes phonics and numbers. They assist with personal care, tie shoelaces and they help at lunchtime. They create a stimulating environment. It’s a very hands-on role.
• In Primary Schools, TAs offer broad support. They help across many subjects like running literacy interventions. They also do numeracy interventions. They support classroom activities and help children during transitions. For example, moving to Year 6. Their pastoral role is still strong. They help children settle in.
• In Secondary Schools, TAs often specialise. They might support specific subjects. This could be in science labs. Or in design technology workshops. They help older students more with complex tasks. They support independent learning. Behaviour management is key here. The social environment is complex. Less personal care is usually needed. More focus is on organisation. They help students navigate school life. So, what does a teaching assistant do in secondary? They offer more academic and social guidance.

What Qualifications and Training Do You Need to Be a TA?

Becoming a TA is achievable. You need certain qualifications. Good GCSEs help a lot. English and Maths are beneficial. Relevant experience is highly valued. This could be paid or volunteer work.

Formal qualifications are common. You can get Level 1, 2, or 3. These are Awards, Certificates, or Diplomas. They are in “Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.” These courses teach key skills. They cover child development and also teach classroom strategies. Apprenticeships are another path. You can do a Level 3 Apprenticeship. This combines work and study. It gives you practical experience. It also provides formal learning.

Many TAs aim higher. They become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant. This is called an HLTA. HLTA status means more responsibility. HLTAs can lead whole classes. They might cover teacher absences. This requires further training. It shows career progression.

Professional development is ongoing. TAs get regular training. This covers safeguarding. It includes first aid. They learn new interventions. Organisations like NAPTA help. They provide courses and resources. This ensures TAs stay updated. Some TAs even train to be teachers. It’s a clear career path.

What’s Changing for TAs in 2025 and Beyond?

The role of TAs is evolving. Big changes are coming for 2025. The government is creating a new body. It’s called the School Support Staff Negotiating Body. This is the SSSNB.

The SSSNB is very important. Its purpose is clear. It will set national terms. This includes conditions and pay. It aims for better consistency and wants to give TAs more recognition. The Employment Rights Bill helps create it. This Bill is moving through Parliament now. Its exact start date is uncertain. But it shows real commitment.

However, challenges exist. Schools face budget pressures. Many support staff unions are concerned. UNISON, GMB, and NEU share worries. They fear TA redundancies. This could happen in 2025-26. This is despite government claims. They say school funding is rising. Budget cuts often hit support staff first.

Pay negotiations are ongoing. Unions are pushing for fair rates. They want better recognition. The SSSNB hopes to address this. It aims for fairer pay for all TAs. This is a crucial topic for 2025. The future of TA pay is in focus.

How Do TAs Impact Student Learning and Teachers’ Workload?

TAs make a huge difference. They boost student learning. They enable personalised attention. This is key for vulnerable learners. Students get more one-on-one help. This leads to a better understanding. It improves academic progress.

They improve classroom behaviour. Their presence helps keep order. They keep students on task. This creates a better learning space. Students are more engaged. It reduces disruptions. TAs lighten teacher workload significantly. They free up teachers’ time. Teachers can focus on core teaching. They can plan better lessons. They have more time for assessment. This reduces teacher stress. It prevents burnout. This is a huge benefit.

TAs offer holistic support. They help social development. They aid emotional growth and support academic success. They are vital to schools and their contribution is immense. So, what is the role of a teaching assistant? It’s about empowering everyone.

What About TA Salaries and Working Hours?

TA working hours vary. Most roles are term-time only. This means the holidays are off. Hours can range widely. Typically, it’s 16 to 36 hours. These are usually pro-rata roles.

Salaries depend on many factors. Region plays a big part. Experience also matters. So does the school itself. For entry-level TAs (Level 1), salaries range. Expect around £18,000 to £21,000. This is pro-rata. Experienced TAs (Level 2/3) earn more. This is typically £21,000 to £25,000. Again, pro-rata. Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) earn the most. Their pay is £26,000 to £30,000+. This is also pro-rata. The SSSNB aims to standardise pay. This could lead to clearer scales. It hopes for fairer pay for all. This is a big discussion point for 2025.

Career progression is possible. You can move up TA levels and can specialise in SEN. Check out more details about Teaching Assistant salaries here.

Conclusion

Teaching assistants are indispensable. They are critical to UK education. They handle diverse responsibilities and they profoundly impact learning while supporting teacher’s well-being.

The profession faces challenges. Funding concerns are real. Pay negotiations continue. Yet, promising developments are ahead. The SSSNB aims to improve the role. It seeks to professionalise TAs. This offers a brighter future. Becoming a TA is rewarding. You truly make a difference.

Join thousands of future education heroes by enrolling in our flexible Online Teaching Assistant Course at Wise Campus.