Having a background as a Teaching Assistant is invaluable if you are wanting to further your career within education. Not only have you received first-hand experience working alongside the teacher, but you’ve also gained knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and school processes, as well as learn how to plan an effective lesson.

There are several options you can take, depending on your end goal.

Step up as a Teaching Assistant

Depending on your current qualifications and Teaching Assistant level, you can take further courses to top up your skills, increase your knowledge and your earnings. Click on each one to find out more about them.

Level 2

• Level 2 Award: Support Work in Schools
• Level 2 Certificate: Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools

Level 3

• Level 3 Award: Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• Level 3 Certificate: Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
• Level 3 Diploma: Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools

Level 4

• Level 4 Higher level teaching assistant (HLTA)

All the courses are designed to stretch your role as a Teaching Assistant. The higher up the level you reach, the more responsibilities and authority you will have. They are designed to fit around your existing commitments giving you the flexibility you need, whether it be working around your family or work schedule.

Progressing from teaching assistant to qualified Teacher

A Teaching Assistant's role allows them to naturally progress to become a teacher. TAs not only receive first-hand experience working alongside the teacher, they also gain knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and school processes, as well as learn how to plan an effective lesson.

12-week assessment programme

Transitioning into a qualified Teacher is a natural progression for many Teaching Assistants who have been working in a classroom for a significant amount of time. Through a 12-week ‘assessment only’ programme, you may be able to get a qualified teacher status as long as you have a degree and able meet the following standards for QTS:

• You’ve already been employed as an unqualified teacher or teaching assistant for a significant amount of time (around 2 years) and you’ve worked in more than one school.
• You’re a qualified teacher who trained overseas.

Take a look at assessment only teacher training providers and find your nearest one.

School-led

If you prefer a practical school-led approach and continue to earn whilst you train to be a teacher, you can take the School Direct route into Initial Teacher Training (ITT). It’s an employment-based route for high quality graduates, typically with at least three years’ transferable work history that will pay you to train whilst you work on a reduced timetable.

It is run by a partnership between a lead school, other schools, and an accredited teacher training provider. While most School Direct training programmes include a PGCE qualification, not all do. If gaining a PGCE is important to you, check with your training provider before applying. You will receive an unqualified teacher's salary from your school, and the cost of your training will be covered, but you may be charged for your PGCE fees if awarded.

If you do not have a degree, you can get qualified teacher status (QTS) as part of an undergraduate degree. Courses can take up to 4 years to complete and cost £9,250 per year, and there is the possibility of acquiring funding for your training.

Expand out

Look into expanding into other areas such as special and physical needs (i.e. sight or hearing impairment, physical disabilities and psychological needs). Schools that cater for these needs will often provide training to those Teaching Assistants who are keen to expand their professional knowledge and commit to learning something new.  

Whole-school opportunities

You’ve probably not led a whole-school activity in your role as a Teaching Assistant, but it would raise your profile and provide the opportunity to work with a variety of staff.  These could include celebrating World Teachers’ Day, World Book Day, or marking an occasion such as Black History Month.