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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 skillsGetting in

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

Full-time classroom assistants work up to 40 hours a week, during term time, with a typical day starting between 8.30am and 9.15am and finishing around 3.15pm to 4pm. You might also take part in other activities such as school outings, staff meetings and training, which could mean working extra hours. Many classroom assistants work part-time.

Environment

You would work either in the classroom, or with individual children or small groups in a separate room nearby.

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    Top skills

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    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

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    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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