Introduction
Teaching assistants work in schools with teachers in order to help
provide relevant learning experiences for children. There is a wide
range of actual job titles in use - classroom assistant, general
assistant, learning support assistant. Teaching assistants are
employed by those authorities which are responsible for providing
education services - county councils, unitary authorities,
metropolitan district councils, There are an estimated 60,000
currently employed throughout the UK, with the number expected to
rise in England and Scotland as a result of the policies of the
respective governments.
Work Environment
Whatever their title, teaching assistants are based in primary,
secondary or special schools. In primary and special schools they
may be primarily responsible for supporting one child or a small
group of children with special needs, or they may be attached to a
particular class. In secondary schools they are more likely to be
working with one child across all areas of the curriculum. Some
employing authorities in urban areas appoint staff to a central
pool and deploy them to schools as required.
Daily Activities
In essence the job is about supporting teachers and supporting
pupils. Regular activities will include supervising small groups of
children undertaking learning activities, assisting individual
children to complete learning tasks, handling routine classroom
administrative duties, assisting in managing pupil behaviour around
the school, dealing with minor accidents. Other duties may
include liaising with parents and with other professionals,
supporting the use of computers within the school, observing and
recording pupil progress, listening to children read, providing
support to pupils in specific areas of the curriculum,
playground/lunchtime supervision.
Skills & Interests
Above all teaching assistants must have the aptitude and
inter-personal skills necessary for developing and maintaining
effective working relationships with both children and adults. This
includes being able to give respect to all children and their
families, whatever their cultural background. An interest in
learning and a willingness to be flexible and creative are also
important qualities.
Entry Requirements
There is currently a range of qualifications available which have
relevance to the work of teaching assistants, especially for those
staff working with very young children. However personal qualities,
previous relevant experience and the potential to develop the
necessary skills tend to weigh more at interview than any specific
qualifications. Many employing authorities have a range of
in-house training programmes, some with external accreditation.
Access to this will be determined primarily by the school in which
the teaching assistant is employed.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
With the right training and development, it is possible to become
a higher level teaching assistant, or in some cases go on to become
a teacher by doing initial teacher training. It may also be
possible to move to other areas of children's services, such as
childcare. The Training and Development Agency for Schools
have published a career development framework for school support
staff that maps school job roles against qualifications and
training that are available. Visit the TDA website for more
information.
Further Information & Services
Education jobs www.eteach.com
Direct Gov information on nursery nurses
www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/nurserynurse.aspx
Nursery Nurses www.nurserynurses.co.uk
Classroom Assistant www.classroom-assistant.net
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.