Heads Up, Schools! What Does Ofsted Say About Teaching Assistants?

Alright, let’s talk Ofsted. The ground is shifting under our feet with big changes to inspections rolling out, especially by November 2025. If you’re a Teaching Assistant, a school leader, or really anyone involved in education, you’ll want to lean in for this. We’re diving deep into how these new rules will shine a spotlight on the incredible work TAs do. Crucially, we’re answering that burning question: What does Ofsted say about teaching assistants? Get ready because understanding this is your golden ticket to navigating the new landscape and preparing your whole team for a successful inspection.

The days of Ofsted viewing TAs as just an extra pair of hands are long gone. There’s a growing appreciation, a real buzz, about the amazing value TAs bring when schools use their talents wisely. Think about it: TAs make up a huge part of our school teams, about 28% of the workforce in state-funded schools! Their dedication is undeniable. So, let’s unpack what these Ofsted changes mean for TAs and how everyone can confidently show their impact.

Ofsted’s Evolving Tune: What Does Ofsted Say About Teaching Assistants Now?

Ofsted’s perspective on Teaching Assistants has truly matured. They’ve moved past simplistic views. Now, inspectors increasingly recognize the “added value of effective teaching assistant deployment.” This isn’t just lip service. It’s a clear nod to the vital role TAs play in supercharging teaching and learning.

Think back. Some older research, like the DISS and MaSt studies, painted a tricky picture. It suggested pupils getting the most TA support sometimes made the least progress. Ouch. But hold on! This wasn’t about TAs themselves. It was often because TAs, with the best intentions, might have focused too much on just getting tasks done. Sometimes, they inadvertently created a bit of dependence. Or maybe they didn’t have enough specific subject knowledge for every task.

Fast forward to today. The evidence and Ofsted’s current stance shout a different story. They highlight the positive impact of well-deployed TAs. So, Ofsted isn’t asking, “Should TAs be here?” Instead, they’re digging into the “how” and “why.” How strategic is their deployment? How strong is their teaching game? Schools need to show the measurable impact TAs have on pupils’ learning and independence. It’s about quality, strategy, and real pedagogical contribution.

Beyond the books, smart TA use can slash teacher workload stress. It can calm classrooms and boost TAs’ own professional pride. And let’s not forget the magic TAs bring to school life – music, crafts, event support, and that crucial, informal pastoral care. They’re often the unsung heroes connecting with children on a different level.

Making Magic Happen: Ofsted’s Blueprint for TA Success

So, how do schools unlock this TA magic in a way Ofsted will applaud? It’s all about strategic deployment, echoing what experts like the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) advise.

• TAs: The Super Supplements, Not Teacher Replacements:
•  This is a big one. The SEND Code of Practice is clear: class teachers are the first line of support. TAs “add value to what   teachers do, not replace them.” This means our most struggling pupils should still get plenty of quality time with their teacher. TAs can actually help teachers work more closely with these groups. The EEF even advises against tying TAs to specific pupils for ages.
• Building Independent Learners (No “Velcro TAs”, Please!):
• A key TA superpower is helping kids stand on their own two feet, learning-wise. The goal isn’t for TAs to be “Velcro TAs,” always stuck to a child, giving answers. Instead, they should be masters of scaffolding. They provide just enough support, then gently pull back as pupils get the hang of things. Think open-ended questions and give kids that precious “thinking time.”
• Power-Up with Structured Interventions:
• Research sings the praises of TAs delivering “structured interventions.” These one-to-one or small group sessions can seriously boost pupil attainment. But here’s the catch: these interventions must be “well chosen, evidence-based, targeted and relevant.” They should build on, not replace, top-notch classroom teaching. And vitally, kids need to see the links between these special sessions and their everyday lessons.

Smart TA Deployment

Smart TA deployment directly feeds into Ofsted’s “Quality of Education” judgment. For TAs to shine in these roles, they need good subject and curriculum knowledge. They need to get the “why” behind the curriculum – its intent, how it’s taught, and the impact everyone wants to see. So, deploying TAs isn’t just about filling a rota. It’s a deep teaching decision woven into the school’s entire learning plan. Ofsted will want to see how TA deployment helps the school hit its curriculum targets, especially for vulnerable learners and those with SEND. Schools must show TAs are supporting learning goals, not just helping kids finish worksheets.

Growing Our Stars: Professional Development for TAs

Ofsted fully expects schools to make sure TAs are “fully prepared for their role.” How? Through brilliant professional development.

• CPD: The Lifeblood of TA Growth: Continuous Professional Development is “vital for teaching assistants.” It keeps them sharp on new policies, boosts their confidence, and hone their skills. Good CPD is sustained, evidence-based, and collaborative. It should focus on improving what pupils learn and line up with school goals and individual TA needs. It’s also a springboard for career growth, perhaps to HLTA or even teaching. School leaders take note: CPD “must ensure that it builds knowledge, motivates staff, develops teaching techniques, and embeds practice.”
• Setting the Bar: Professional Standards: While the government hasn’t mandated official standards yet, professional bodies have stepped up. These standards clarify TA roles, aligning them with teachers and heads. They usually cover:
• Personal and Professional Conduct: Being professional, following school rules, staying positive, and keeping kids safe.
• Knowledge and Understanding: Staying current, getting skilled (including SEND expertise), and knowing their subjects and curriculum.
• Teaching and Learning: Using smart ways to support teachers, promoting inclusion, managing behaviour well, helping with assessment, and keeping the learning space safe and stimulating.
• Working with Others: Teaming up effectively with colleagues, parents, and other professionals.
• New Qualifications on the Horizon: Excitingly, TAs can now specialize with new professional qualifications (NPQs) in areas like SEND or literacy. This is a big step towards recognizing TAs as true professionals.

The Real World: Hurdles in TA Land

Let’s be honest; it’s not always smooth sailing. Schools face genuine challenges:

• The Money Tightrope and Fair Pay: Tight budgets often mean schools can’t deploy as many TAs as they’d like. And let’s face it, historically low TA pay doesn’t help with recruitment or keeping great staff.
• The Workload Puzzle: While TAs can ease teacher workload, if TAs don’t have dedicated time for meetings, training, or planning with teachers, it can actually make things trickier.
• Parental Hopes: Sometimes, what parents expect from their child’s TA support doesn’t quite match the school’s strategy of fostering independence.

These aren’t just individual school problems; they’re often system-wide. The SSSNB aims to tackle some of these bigger issues. While Ofsted focuses on what your school does, they will consider your local context and the efforts you make. So, be ready to explain how you strategically handle these challenges to keep your TAs effective and supported, even when resources are tight.

The Big Ofsted Shake-Up: What’s New for 2025?

Hold onto your hats because Ofsted inspections are getting a makeover from November 2025. The aim is more transparency, fairness, and less of that high-stakes pressure.

• Goodbye Single-Word Judgments! From September 2024, those overall “Outstanding” to “Inadequate” grades on reports vanished. Instead, schools get individual grades for areas like Quality of Education. Then, from November 2025, a new “five-point grading scale” kicks in: “Exemplary, Strong, Secure, Attention needed, Causing concern.” If a school gets an ‘inadequate’ key judgment or safeguarding is ineffective, it goes into a ‘category of concern.’
• Hello, Detailed Report Cards! Instead of one big grade, schools get “detailed report cards.” These will assess performance across up to 11 areas like Curriculum, Leadership, Behaviour, Inclusion, and Safeguarding.
• Ungraded Inspections and “Deep Dives” Are Changing! From Autumn 2025, say farewell to “ungraded inspections” for state schools. Every routine Ofsted visit will be a full, graded one. And those subject-specific “deep dives”? They’re being discontinued in their previous form. The new aim is a “complete assessment of the school’s performance across all areas.” This means a more joined-up look at your school, not just isolated subject checks. TAs’ contributions will be seen as part of this bigger picture.
• Context Matters More: The new framework will give “more weight…to local context and individual circumstances.” This is good news, recognizing the unique challenges schools face.
• Focus on Wellbeing and Support: There’ll be “less emphasis on attainment data and compliance and more on teaching quality, staff wellbeing, and pupil support.”

These changes mean Ofsted wants to see how everything in your school, including your brilliant TAs, works together for a great education. So, prepare by embedding your best practices everywhere, not just in specific subjects.

Inspection Day Intel: What Questions Will Ofsted Ask Staff?

Knowing what to expect can really calm nerves. While questions vary, the themes are consistent. And with “deep dives” changing, expect more integrated questions.

For Everyone (TAs Included!):

• Safeguarding is King (or Queen!): This is non-negotiable. “All members of staff should be expected to be questioned.” Ofsted wants to see a “positive culture towards safeguarding.”
  • “Who would you go to if you were concerned about a colleague or the Headteacher?”
  • “What safeguarding training have you had?”
  • “What would you do if a parent mistreated a child?”
  • “How do you report a safeguarding issue, especially if your manager isn’t there?”
  • “What are your obligations under the Prevent duty?” Your answers should show you don’t just know the policy; you live and breathe a culture of safety.

For School Leaders (Regarding TAs):

Your strategic command of TA deployment is under the microscope.

• “How do you monitor what TAs are doing and their effectiveness?”
• “How do you ensure TAs are fully prepared for their roles?”
• “What CPD do TAs receive, and how do you support new staff?”
• “How do you ensure teachers and TAs have the necessary subject knowledge?”
• “How are TAs involved in supporting SEND pupils and interventions? What’s your vision for SEND?” Leaders must show they invest in TAs and can prove the impact on pupils.

Directly for Teaching Assistants:

Be ready to talk about your amazing work!

• Your Role: “Why is the TA role important?”
• “How do you know how to support SEND children based on the curriculum plan?”
• Supporting Learning: “How do you support pupils with learning difficulties?”
• “How can you tell if children have grasped what you’ve taught?”
• “How do you help children who get stuck?”
• Behaviour Management: “How would you handle a child who persistently misbehaves?”
• Teamwork: “How do you work with the class teacher and feedback to them?”
• Your Growth: “What training have you had recently?”
• “How do you keep your knowledge up to date?”

For the Pupils:

Inspectors will chat with children to get their take.

• “What are you learning? How does it help you?”
• “Who helps you in school? Do teachers help you?”
• “Do you enjoy [subject]? Are you challenged?”
• “I hear there is bullying here, and teachers don’t help. Is that true?” (They will probe safeguarding issues).

Wrapping It Up: Riding the Wave of Change

Ofsted’s 2025 changes signal a shift to a more rounded, real-world view of schools. For Teaching Assistants, this is great news! Your role is recognized as key to quality education, positive behaviour, and happy, developing children. The move away from single grades and old-style deep dives means Ofsted wants to see the whole picture – how your school works as a team.

Effective TA deployment is now clearly a leadership must-have. Schools that empower TAs as skilled supporters – scaffolding learning and leading targeted interventions – will shine. The whole education sector is pushing to professionalize the TA role, and that’s a fantastic development.

Ready to advance your career? Check out our online Teaching Assistant Course at Wise Campus and become a High-Level Teaching Assistant today!