| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Education and Teaching |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Class Teacher |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | Fresher or up to 3 years supporting a classroom |
Teaching Assistant job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Teaching Assistant
Department: Education and Teaching
Reports to: Class Teacher
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Teaching Assistant supports a class teacher in delivering lessons and managing the classroom. They help prepare materials, work with small groups and individual children, supervise activities, and assist with assessment and records. The role reports to the Class Teacher or Coordinator. A good teaching assistant frees the teacher to focus on teaching, gives extra attention to children who need it, keeps the classroom running smoothly, and grows the skills to become a class teacher.
Key responsibilities
- Help the class teacher prepare lessons, materials and teaching aids.
- Work with small groups and individual children who need extra support.
- Supervise children during activities, transitions, breaks and movement between classes.
- Assist with marking, assessment records and displays under the teacher's guidance.
- Support children with behaviour, focus and following classroom routines.
- Help manage the classroom so lessons run smoothly and safely.
- Support children with special needs alongside the teacher where required.
- Prepare and tidy the classroom before and after lessons.
- Accompany the class on activities, trips and events as required.
- Keep the teacher informed about children's progress and concerns.
Requirements
- Graduate in any stream
- Teacher training or D.El.Ed is an advantage
- Warmth and patience with children
- Fresher or up to 3 years supporting a classroom
KRAs and KPIs for a Teaching Assistant
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Lesson support | Materials and support ready for lessons as the teacher needs each day |
| Individual attention | Identified children given targeted support to the agreed plan |
| Classroom management | Classroom routines and supervision maintained smoothly each day |
| Assessment support | Marking and record tasks completed accurately within the agreed time |
| Safety | Children supervised safely with no preventable incident in the month |
| Teamwork | Teacher kept informed of progress and concerns regularly |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Teaching aids and materials, Worksheets, Assessment records, Craft and activity supplies, Classroom displays.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Primary Teacher, Pre-Primary Teacher, Special Education Assistant
Interview questions for a Teaching Assistant
- How do you support a class teacher during a busy lesson?
- How do you help a child who is struggling to keep up with the class?
- How do you supervise children safely during an activity?
- How do you support a child with behaviour difficulties?
- How do you assist with marking and records accurately?
- Tell me about a time you helped a lesson run better.
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What does a teaching assistant do?
A teaching assistant supports a class teacher in delivering lessons and managing the classroom. They help prepare materials, work with small groups and individual children, supervise activities, and assist with marking and records. They give extra attention to children who need it, keep the classroom running smoothly, and support the teacher throughout the day.
What qualifications do you need to be a teaching assistant?
Most teaching assistant roles ask for a graduate degree, and teacher training or a D.El.Ed is an advantage. Employers look for warmth and patience with children, the ability to support small groups, help manage a classroom, and assist with materials and records. It is a common step towards becoming a class teacher.
How do you become a teacher from a teaching assistant?
A teaching assistant can become a teacher by gaining classroom experience, learning how lessons are planned and delivered, and completing a teaching qualification such as a D.El.Ed, B.El.Ed or B.Ed. Taking on more teaching responsibility under guidance, and clearing a teacher eligibility test where required, opens the way to a full teaching role.