5 things you need to start your career as a Teaching Assistant

Supply teaching assistants play an essential role in schools, providing support to teachers and helping to ensure that students receive the best possible education. If you're interested in working as a supply teaching assistant, there are a few things you'll need to have under your belt before-hand.

So, let’s get to it!

5 things you need to smash it in the world of supply!

1. Qualifications & Experience

If you have a Level 2 or 3 TA qualification, happy days! But if not, don’t worry, all we ask is that you have experience working with children in a classroom setting, either through previous teaching assistant roles or volunteering, coaching, tutoring or anything similar. This experience needs to be recent and have taken place within the past 6 months, just so we can make sure we can get 2 great references for your work!

2. Skills

As a teaching assistant, you'll be working closely with teachers, other support staff, and, most importantly, children and young people! You'll need to have excellent communication skills to ensure that you can effectively communicate with everyone you interact with. This includes being able to listen, follow instructions, be patient and convey information clearly and in an easily understandable way!

3. Flexibility

One of the many reasons supply is great, is that it’s full of variety. You'll be working in different schools and classrooms each day, which means that you'll need to be able to adapt quickly to new environments and routines. You also may be asked to work with students with a range of abilities and needs, so you'll need to be able to adjust your approach daily, which makes the role hugely exciting and great for development.  

 4. Organisational skills

You’ve got to be organised! When you’re here, there and everywhere from one day to the next, it’s important to make sure your time keeping is on point, and you make sure you know exactly where you’re going and how you’ll get there in advance. You might also be responsible for keeping track of tasks, lesson plans, and other important information, as well as ensuring that students are staying focussed on the work. 

5. Be positive

Attitude is infectious! To be a great supply teaching assistant, you'll need to have a positive attitude. You'll be working in a fast-paced and often challenging environment, so it's important to be able to maintain a can-do attitude even in the face of obstacles. 

Being enthusiastic, patient, and adaptive can help you to create great relationships with students and staff, which can lead to a more rewarding and fulfilling day of work! That’s what we want, right?

Interested in supply? Register now by sending your CV to info@staffroomeducation.co.uk