Posted by: CTC Training

Are you thinking of becoming a teaching assistant? It’s a role that can be incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, but it’s also important to understand what it entails before making a decision. In this article, we’ll explore the salary, job satisfaction, normal duties, qualifications, and other factors you should consider if you’re thinking about becoming a TA.

Is being a teaching assistant a good job

Salary

In the UK, the average salary for a teaching assistant is £17,000 per year, according to data from the National Careers Service. However, it’s important to keep in mind that this is just an average and some TAs may earn more or less depending on the specific circumstances of their job. You’ll also have the opportunity to advance into a Higher Level Teaching Assistant role, which brings greater responsibilities and a higher salary.

Job Satisfaction

Job satisfaction is one of the most common reasons people choose to become teaching assistants. Those in the role typically report a high level of fulfilment as they help students learn and grow. Of course, the level of satisfaction can vary from person to person depending on the support and resources provided by the school and the TA’s relationship with other staff.

Normal duties

Teaching assistants have many important duties inside and outside the classroom:

Getting the classroom ready for lessons
Supporting children with their tasks
Helping teachers to plan lessons and complete records
Supporting teaching in managing class behaviour
Helping with outings and sports events

You can find out more about the day-to-day duties of a TA here.

Getting into the role

So now you know what a TA does, the question is: how do you become one?

Typically, there are no compulsory qualifications or experience required for becoming a teaching assistant. However, getting relevant qualifications or experience will help you stand out from other candidates and give you a better chance of succeeding in the role.

Voluntary work is a great way to gain some teaching assistant experience and show that you are passionate about the job.

Many schools are understaffed and would gladly accept a helping hand in the classroom. While this may not be a full teaching assistant role, you will likely still be assisting the teacher in various different ways. This will give you an insight into what it’s like to work in a classroom and provide you with valuable experience in an assisting role.

You’ll also want to create a CV that is tailored toward the teaching assistant role.

Qualifications

There are no mandatory qualifications for becoming a teaching assistant, but earning relevant qualifications is a great way to boost your knowledge, enhance your skills and stand out in a competitive market.

The qualifications that can help you towards a teaching assistant career are:

All of the above courses can be completed with CTC Training, the leading provider of online training courses.

CTC Training is a leading provider of teaching assistant training courses that will help you into your dream career. Simply enrol online and you’ll gain access to the 24/7 student portal, where you can view course content and upload assessments at your leisure.

Enrol today or contact our team for more information.