Teaching Assistant Job Description (UK template)

A teaching assistant (TA) supports teachers and pupils in the classroom, helping individual children or small groups with their learning, supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), preparing resources and helping with behaviour and wellbeing. Below is a complete UK job description for a Level 2 or 3 teaching assistant that you can copy and adapt for your school.

Teaching Assistant job description template

Job title

Teaching Assistant

Job purpose

To support the class teacher in delivering learning, help pupils make progress and contribute to a safe, inclusive and positive learning environment.

Key responsibilities

  • Support individual pupils and small groups with reading, writing, maths and other learning, under the teacher's direction
  • Support pupils with SEND, following EHCPs and individual plans
  • Prepare classroom resources and help set up and tidy the classroom
  • Observe and record pupils' progress and feed back to the teacher
  • Help manage behaviour in line with the school's behaviour policy
  • Support pupils' wellbeing, personal care where needed, and inclusion
  • Supervise pupils at break, lunch and on school trips as required
  • Follow safeguarding and child protection procedures and report concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Take part in training and staff meetings

Essential skills and experience

  • Experience working with children, in a school or another setting
  • Good literacy and numeracy (often GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths)
  • Patient, encouraging and able to build positive relationships with pupils
  • Able to work as part of a team and take direction from teachers
  • Commitment to safeguarding and the welfare of children

Desirable

  • Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification
  • Experience supporting pupils with SEND, such as autism or speech and language needs
  • Phonics or intervention programme training
  • First aid certificate

Requirements

  • Enhanced DBS check with children's barred list
  • Right to work in the UK
  • Two references, including one from the most recent employer, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education
  • Online checks as part of safer recruitment

Hours

Usually term time only, around 32.5 hours a week for full-time posts, with many part-time roles (for example mornings only). Some roles include lunchtime supervision.

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Teaching Assistant pay in the UK

Teaching assistants in England are usually paid on local government pay scales, depending on grade (Level 1 to HLTA) and region. Because most TAs work term time only, the actual annual pay is a pro-rata share of the full-time salary. State the full-time equivalent salary, the actual salary and the weeks per year in the advert.

Pay ranges checked November 2026. They are typical ranges, not official figures: check local adverts before setting your rate.

Career progression

Teaching assistant Level 1 to Level 3, then Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), SEND specialist, or teacher training through routes such as postgraduate or apprenticeship teacher training.

Tips for writing your teaching assistant advert

  • Specify the level (Level 1, 2, 3 or HLTA) and the year group or key stage.
  • Say whether the role is one-to-one SEND support or general class support.
  • Show both the full-time equivalent and actual pro-rata salary to avoid confusion.
  • Include your safer recruitment statement, as schools are expected to.

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Frequently asked questions

What qualifications does a teaching assistant need?

Many schools ask for GCSE English and maths at grade 4/C or above and experience with children. A Level 2 or 3 Teaching Assistant qualification helps but is not always required for entry-level roles.

What is the difference between a teaching assistant and a learning support assistant?

Learning support assistants usually focus on one pupil or a small group with additional needs, while teaching assistants support the whole class. Schools use the titles differently.

Are teaching assistants paid during school holidays?

Most are paid an annual salary spread over 12 months, but it is calculated on term time only, so the actual salary is lower than the full-time equivalent.

Do teaching assistants need a DBS check?

Yes. Schools must carry out an enhanced DBS check with a children's barred list check as part of safer recruitment.