Qualifications improve your chances; they do not gate the job. Level 3 is the most recognised.
Pay range: National Careers Service.
Live listings typically advertise £95 to £110 a day. See the full Teaching Assistant salary guide.
Your route in
You can start without qualifications - direct entry/volunteering; a qualification improves your chances
Starting from scratch
Entry-level courses that feed this route.
- Level 1 Certificate in Caring for Children L143 courses
- Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings L135 courses
- Level 1 Introductory Diploma in Health and Social Care L119 courses
- Entry Level Certificate in Occupational Studies for the Workplace L04 courses
- Level 1 Award in Working with Children L13 courses
Qualifications employers recognise (Level 3)
Any of these strengthens your application.
- Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning L2171 courses
- Level 3 Diploma for Teaching Assistants L3131 courses
- Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges L2121 courses
- Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (Teaching Assistant) L331 courses
- Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools L219 courses
- Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools L29 courses
Add-on certificates
Complements to the main route. Where no level is shown, the awarding body does not specify one.
- Understanding Behaviour that Challenges 13 courses
- Preparing to Work in Schools 9 courses
- Safeguarding Awareness for Learning Environments 5 courses
- Award in Volunteering to Support English Language Teaching and Learning 5 courses
- Working with Children and Families 3 courses
- Child Development and Care in the Early Years 2 courses
Where this can take you
When working as a teaching assistant, your employer will give you opportunities to develop your skills. For example: managing behaviour, mentoring, understanding special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and providing extra support for particular subjects. With experience, you could take a course to become a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA). You might also wish train to become a qualified teacher.
Courses for this career
See free Teaching Assistant courses
Level 2
- Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning L2171 courses
- Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools and Colleges L2121 courses
- Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools L219 courses
- Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools L29 courses
- Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools L28 courses
Level 3
- Level 3 Diploma for Teaching Assistants L3131 courses
- Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (Teaching Assistant) L331 courses
- Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools L38 courses
- Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools L37 courses
- Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning L37 courses