Posted by: CTC Training

For many learners, becoming a teaching assistant is just one of several milestones in a long and illustrious career. Though becoming a qualified teaching assistant is a great achievement in its own right, it also provides the foundation to progress into a more advanced role within the education sector.

This guide will explore the journey needed to become a teaching assistant, and the progression options available after securing the role.

Teaching Assistant Career Progression Infographic

Becoming a Teaching Assistant

While there are no mandatory qualifications required to become a teaching assistant, the role has become increasingly competitive, so it’s wise to earn qualifications that will help you stand out from the crowd.

Online teaching assistant training courses provide you with a range of knowledge and skills that will increase your prospects as a candidate. The qualifications you earn will demonstrate to potential employers that you possess the competence and passion to succeed in the role.

Plus, going into the role with a foundation of knowledge is sure to boost your confidence and help you to excel.

The qualifications that can help you towards becoming a teaching assistant include;

Progression within the role

After starting out as a teaching assistant, you’ll have the opportunity to increase your salary and role responsibilities by progressing to a new level. Typically, there are three levels of experience within the teaching assistant role. If you wish to progress through each of these levels, you must work hard and show your commitment to the job.

The number of levels, the responsibilities of each level, and the salary expectations for each level will vary from school to school. However, the following is a general idea of the responsibilities you can expect to have at each level.

As a Level 1 Teaching Assistant you will:

help the teacher prepare for the lesson
encourage the children and motivate them to work
work with pupils with certain needs

As a Level 2 Teaching Assistant you will have all the responsibilities of a level 1 teaching assistant, plus:

work frequently with children on a one-to-one basis
work closely with children who have special education needs, with those who don’t speak English as their first language, or with pupils who are academically gifted

As a Level 3 Teaching Assistant or higher level teaching assistant (HLTA), you will have all the responsibilities of a level 1 and 2 teaching assistant, plus:

work as a cover supervisor, possibly covering lessons

Expected Teaching Assistant Salaries

Full-time, permanent TAs can expect the following average salaries:

Level 1: £17,364
Level 2: £18,000 – £20,000
Level 3 and those with additional specialisms or SEN responsibilities: £25,000

Levels, responsibilities and salaries may vary from school to school. Check out our article on TA salary expectations for more detailed information.

Progression beyond a Teaching Assistant

Becoming a teaching assistant is a great springboard towards further roles in education.

Though many teaching assistants set their sights on becoming a teacher, there are many roles in the education industry that extend beyond working in a classroom.

If you wish to take your career progression in a different direction, you could train to work:

As an assessor
As a private tutor
As an examinations officer
In educational research

Teaching in the Adult Sector

If you are interested in teaching adults, the teaching assistant role provides the experience and many of the skills required for teaching in the adult sector. To increase your skills even further and improve your chances of making it as a teacher in the adult sector, consider earning qualifications.

The following qualifications can help you towards a career in teaching adults:

These courses will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a teacher in the adult sector.

CTC Training offers all of these online training courses for you to complete at your leisure. After enrolling, you will be given access to the 24/7 student portal, where you can access course content and upload assessments any time of day, any day of the week.

Perfect for learners with busy schedules, you’ll gain the opportunity to earn qualifications on a schedule that works for you.

To begin your next step towards your dream career, view our online course and book online. For any questions or further information, get in touch with our team.