What does a Teaching Assistant do?
A Teaching Assistant is an extremely important role in classrooms up and down the country (and the world, really). Considered instrumental to the success of a classroom and pupils’ potential, a well-qualified Teaching Assistant is a highly sought-after role. So much so, that throughout the past decade, the percentage of the school workforce that are Teaching Assistants has increased year-on-year to its current state at almost 1 in 3!
What are the Top Skills Teaching Assistants Need?
When it comes to the desired skills for a Teaching Assistant, most schools will naturally have a slightly different variation of what they deem beneficial to their classrooms and pupils.
We believe, however, that the following skills lay the foundation to becoming a successful Teaching Assistant and more-or-less won’t stray too far from a school’s requirements.
Patience
Probably the most important trait of all when it comes to working with children, patience is an absolute must-have if you are serious about becoming a Teaching Assistant. Every child is different and will learn at different paces and in different ways – it’ll be your job to understand that and guide them as best you can.
Collaborative
A key aspect of children learning and growing, particularly during Reception and Key Stage 1, is through physical, personal, social and emotional development. You will not only need to collaborate with students to build these skills but also work with teachers, support staff and even parents to maximise each student’s potential.
Adaptability
As a Teaching Assistant, you will of course have an inventive license to work with children how you see best – you are, after all, qualified in the field. Nevertheless, each teacher will have their certain methods of getting the best out of the children so you will need to be adaptable to a teacher’s requirements.
Optimism
Not one that you’re likely to find in any job description, but by no means a lesser attribute than the others stated. Your mood will inevitably reflect onto students and showing an optimism towards work and learning can inspire those children to share the same passion with their own learning.
Organised
A Teaching Assistant must have excellent organisational skills as you’ll often be tasked by teachers to set up tasks and manage them with a group of children. Alongside this, you must ensure you have exceptional punctuality.
Sensitivity
An obvious yet imperative skill to have when teaching children is the ability to treat each child and take each unique situation with sensitivity.
These are solely our opinion on some of the most valuable skills a Teaching Assistant must possess and remember, every school will require a different set of requirements! Do you think we’ve missed any out? Get in touch and let us know what you think!
Want to know a bit more about how you can gain and develop these skills? Take a read of our blog on
Getting the Skills You Need for a Job as a Teaching Assistant.
How to Become a Teaching Assistant?
You may find a select few schools will be happy to allow you to support the class. However, to become a Classroom Assistant you will more-than-likely need a Teaching Assistant Qualification to become successful in the industry.
The Training Room can help you progress into the Education sector with nationally recognised certificates and awards, along with career support for 3 years from enrolling on a course with us. We’re a TQUK recognised centre – this means you are guaranteed quality training which has been developed with the support of employers and their representative trade bodies.
Our course is online-based which means you can study in your own time, at your own pace, whenever it suits you. You’ll receive specialised, dedicated tutor support who are always on hand whether you’re struggling with a module, need some guidance or simply have a question about the course.
Our comprehensive Teaching Assistant course covers the essential skills needed to begin your career in the education sector, including:
- TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF)
- TQUK Level 3 Certificate in Understanding Autism
- TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health
And with our Professional course, you get an additional qualification to help with becoming a SEN Teaching Assistant:
- ABC Award Level 3 Special Educational Needs (SEN)
If you’d like to find out more information about how to begin your career in education, click the button below:
[Download your free prospectus now]