Teaching/classroom assistant

Teaching/classroom assistant job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Key responsibilities of the job include:

• providing support to children with mathematics, reading and writing on an individual, class or small group basis
• giving extra help to children from ethnic minorities or those with special needs
• helping develop programmes of learning activities and to adapt appropriate materials
• motivating and encouraging pupils
• assisting with marking and correcting work
• attending meetings and reviews
• helping with school events, trips and activities.

The role played by teaching assistants within schools can be vital in helping children gain basic literacy and numeric skills, particularly at Key Stage one.

Typical employers of classroom assistants

• state-maintained schools
• voluntary controlled schools
• independent schools.

Vacancies are advertised in local authority vacancy lists, local and national newspapers and publications such as The Times Educational Supplement, The Herald and The Scotsman.

Previous experience of working with children is essential. This can be gained through direct approaches to schools, voluntary work, job shadowing, or by helping at summer camps or play schemes.

Qualifications and training required

There are several part-time courses available for those wishing to work in this area. These are normally non-examined courses based on assessed portfolios. Topics covered include the development of appropriate professional skills and knowledge, legal and national requirements and the provision of suitable activities in the classroom.

Some teaching assistants are qualified nursery nurses that have completed an NVQ level 3 or CACHE diploma in early years/child care and education (formerly the NNEB).

Key skills for classroom assistants

• enthusiasm
• imagination
• energy
• adaptability
• patience
• responsibility.

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