Becoming a TA

What is the role of a Teaching Assistant?

A Teaching Assistant (TA), also known as a Learning Support Assistant (LSA) works under the supervision of a qualified teacher to provide assistance with various tasks and student support.

As a TA you will play a vital role in supporting pupils with their education, as well as their emotional and social development. This might be one to one with pupils who have special educational needs, disabilities, or social, emotional, and mental health vulnerabilities in groups or as a whole class. You will help them to thrive in a positive, nurturing and safe environment, whilst working closely with the class teacher to enable students to remain engaged and focussed to access learning, while ensuring their safety and wellbeing.

What are the entry requirements for a teaching assistant job?

Currently individual schools can set their own entry requirements and decide what qualifications and experience they need for the role in their school.

Employers may prefer GCSEs (grades 9 to 4, or A* to C) in English and Maths, along with experience working with children - although these are not essential and can be gained 'on the job'. You will also require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Important qualities in a TA are an aptitude to work with children and young people, a willingness to learn through work, adaptability, positivity, resilience, a caring and patient approach, the ability to be calm under pressure and a positive attitude.

You may have previous experience in another sector, which means you have transferable skills e.g. forest school experience, care experience, or you may have no experience at all, and be able to learn on the job.

How can I get into a Teaching Assistant role?

You can get into a teaching assistant job through:

gaining knowledge relevant to the role through undertaking a course
volunteering in an educational setting
signing up to the TA Talent pool Teaching Assistant Talent Pool | Education Job Finder
applying directly for jobs, which do not specifically require experience
applying for a TA apprenticeship where experience and a qualification is gained 'on the job'.

What sort of courses could I do, to better equip me for the role of Teaching Assistant?

The Adult Learning service offer a range of courses specifically designed for TAs. Learning opportunities include: Dyslexia Awareness, Understanding Neurodiversity, Understanding Behaviours that Challenge, Introduction to Autism (Level 2), Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties (Level 2), Understand Children's Mental Health (age 5-18) (Level 2), Introduction to Teaching Assistant, Teaching Assistant (Level 2) and Teaching Assistant (Level 3) to name a few.

The dedicated learner support team can offer you further information, advice and guidance, including help with fees and/or childcare, books, travel costs etc and advice or guidance about courses or career opportunities. Many of the courses which carry a cost (as some are free) have financial support and/or full funding available if particular criteria are met, such as earning less than the average TA wage. The team can also offer information and advice about specific learning, access or disability needs that might affect your learning. If you would like further information, advice and guidance please email: adultlearning@norfolk.gov.uk or call the team on 0344 800 8020 option 5.