Why becoming a Teaching Assistant is a rewarding role

Teaching assistants have a vital role to play in schools across the UK, providing valuable classroom support and guidance for children.

The nature of the role also means that it’s highly rewarding, as the support provided by teaching assistants ultimately helps youngsters to achieve better learning outcomes.

Their importance throughout primary, secondary and SEN education was further emphasised during the periods of lockdown and school closures, according to researchers at UCL’s Institute for Education.

Some 88% of teaching assistants were found to have provided support for vulnerable and key worker children when the majority of schools were closed, with more than half also having responsibility for an entire class at one point or another.

This even led the researchers to dub them the ‘unsung heroes’ of classrooms across the UK, and we couldn’t agree more, while the extra responsibilities also provide other benefits.

Helping children

In primary and secondary settings, teaching assistants will often provide support to pupils in small groups or on a one-to-one basis.

This enables them to influence their learning and to motivate pupils to be as successful as they can be.

It’s a similar situation for those in special education needs, although SEN teaching assistants will also be supporting those with a range of complex care needs.

According to the UCL report, teaching assistants also helped with home learning throughout the pandemic, liaising with families and sending out relevant learning materials.

Others were asked to take classes when teaching staff were absent, alongside other targeted interventions for pupils, such as personalised learning plans and planning.

Supporting teachers

Teaching assistants also play a vital role in supporting teachers, especially at a time when they have been balancing the demands of the classroom and remote teaching.

Time spent providing support in lessons is also a valuable experience for those considering a long-term career in education and there are many looking to do so. A recent Government Social Research report, titled 'Exploring TeachingAssistants’ appetite to become teachers' found that 78% of teaching assistants find it extremely rewarding watching children develop and progress through their school years.

Those planning to take teacher training courses in order to gain newly qualified teacher status will require this experience, while it can also be referenced when interviewing for other roles. 

Teaching assistants may also provide help with lesson planning and recording achievements, meaning they play an active part in tailoring lessons to the pupils they support.

Ultimately, becoming a teaching assistant enables an individual to help youngsters from a variety of different backgrounds to achieve the best they can, while also seeing the impacts of their actions on a day to day basis.

Interested in applying?

You can view our teaching assistant jobs. Alternatively, submit your CV and your local education recruitment consultant will get in touch with you.