What are people's views on Teaching Assistants?

The 'easiness' of the job will depend on the school you work in. The role of a TA is very different in, say, a BESD school than a private school. There are also many different types of TA and some have HLTA (higher level teaching assistant) status.

I am a Teaching Assistant, myself, so I am aware of these facts. I've just had a lot of people telling me that it's easy and not designed for people with degrees.


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Easy compared to being a teacher?

I suppose it is an easier job to get into in terms of qualifications required. Some of the TAs in my school (who sometimes sit in maths lessons) don't even have a C in maths. The other obvious factor is that you do not need to plan lessons so the job doesn't require as much work outside of lesson time.

One thing I will say, though, is that most TAs I know have very few (if any) free periods and some of them have to use up their lunch break to support in the SEN department; some students don't have a 'mainstream' lunch break and need looking after.

In my school, some of the students are also quite disrespectful to TAs and behave in a way towards them that they wouldn't dare do to a teacher.

I believe the reason that some students lash out at TAs is because they know they can because the TAs genuinely care and aren't going to give up on them as quickly as a teacher might...


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I think in a lot of cases, sadly, it's because TAs can't give sanctions.

Don't think a TA is impressive at all and do think it's easy...

But that's my opinion can be completely wrong


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I get the impression that a teacher could do the job of a teaching assistant, but a teaching assistant couldn't do the job of a teacher. So it'd be an easier job to become qualified for and carry out, relative to that of a teacher.

I've never really thought about it...I guess it might be that TAs are a bit like the nurses of the education world? Where people might think you're just a TA because you failed at teaching and that your job is very easy, when really you have a lot to do? Particularly as all the TAs at my school had to work with the kids that had special needs, even during break and lunch, so you're offering a level of support that most teachers don't bother with.

I have a friend who is a TA and all I know about her job is that she hates the teachers, and it takes her ages to finish work.

I guess you're kind of right. But I'm not a TA coz I failed at becoming a teacher, I'm actually planning on going back to uni in 2015 to get my teaching qualification so that I can be a 'proper' teacher.


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I teach but am not a qualified teacher, does that make my teaching any less important or difficult than a qualified teacher? All that means is that I haven't got my teaching qualification though, not that I don't have a degree.


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They are incredibly vital and teaching would be almost impossible without their hard work and dedication to the pupils.

They are incredibly vital and teaching would be almost impossible without their hard work and dedication to the pupils.

If they are incredibly vital, please explain how they did not exist until 20 years ago.

Well, 20 years ago, people were not as aware of SEND students. So such students would have just been classified as 'stupid'. Now they have the opportunity, with TA help, to achieve the best that they can.


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