Classroom assistant
Work closely with teachers to encourage children and young people to enjoy learning in a safe and caring environment.
Also known as: teaching assistant, pupil support worker, pupil support assistant, learning support assistant, additional support for learning auxiliary
About the job
Salary
Source: National Careers Service
Weekly
£346
Entry level
£442
Experienced
Monthly
£1,500
Entry level
£1,917
Experienced
Yearly
£18,000
Entry level
£23,000
Experienced
8,100
people are currently employed
High growth
300 more jobs in 5 years
These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics
A day in the life — classroom assistant
What it's like
You would encourage children and young people with learning activities in the classroom. You’d work closely with teachers to ensure the pupils learn in a safe and caring environment.
You would help teachers with a range of tasks but you wouldn’t teach classes or lead lessons. You’d support children to become successful learners and confident individuals, both in and out of the classroom.
Depending on the school and the age of the pupils you would:
Get the classroom ready for lessons
Listen to children read, read to them or tell them stories
Help children who need extra support to complete tasks
Help to prepare learning resources or activities
Support teachers in managing class behaviour
Supervise group activities
Look after children who are upset or have had accidents
Clear away materials and equipment after lessons
Help with outings and sports events
Complete records
Do administrative tasks
You might also support children with particular needs, working with them individually or in small groups.
In some schools you could have a specialism, such as literacy, numeracy or additional support needs. If you are bilingual, you might do more work with children whose first language is not English.
At secondary level, you might concentrate on working with individuals and small groups. Depending on the subject, you might assist with practical work, for example in science.
Sometimes you might have to cope with challenging behaviour. Experience of working with children and knowledge of child development would be very useful. You’d need to be able to develop good relationships with the children and parents.
Hours
Environment
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Learning support assistant
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:
- mentoring
- reliable
- time management
- attention to detail
- social conscience
- observation
- verbal communication
- supporting
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore the sections shown for more information about getting into this career.
You might have qualifications which are not shown here but will allow you access to a course. You can compare your qualifications by looking at their SCQF Level. For more information about this, check out the SCQF website.
Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Care
People and Society
Psychology
Skills for Work: Early Education and Childcare
Sociology
Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services and Healthcare
Foundation Apprenticeship: Social Services Children and Young People
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You may need qualifications at SCQF level 4/5 or above.
Experience working or volunteering with children is essential. Some vacancies ask for relevant education or childcare qualifications such as the National Certificate (NC) in Early Education & Childcare (SCQF Level 6) or Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Additional Support Needs (SCQF Level 7).
For entry to Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND) courses you usually require one to two Highers, a relevant Foundation Apprenticeship or NC.
Some classroom assistants start by volunteering in the classroom.
Relevant work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Social Services: Children & Young People (SCQF Level 7).
You usually need experience with children. This can be paid or voluntary or bringing up your own children. Search opportunities on Volunteer.scot.
A First Aid certificate and knowledge of Curriculum for Excellence would be useful.
Other relevant qualifications which are recognised throughout the UK include the NCFE Initial Training for Classroom Assistants, an NVQ Teaching Assistants Level 2 and 3 and an HNC in Childcare and Education.
To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland.
Once you're in the job you may be required to gain additional qualifications such as the Professional Development Award (PDA) in Education Support Assistance (SCQF Level 6) or Learner Support (SCQF Level 7).
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