Teaching and Learning

An Introduction to Being a Teaching Assistant

Find your feet as a teaching assistant, knowing what's expected of you and where your support makes the most difference.

2 hours 14 minutes
26 modules
2 CPD hours
Certificate

Members

Start free trial

14 days free, then £70 a year or £7 a month.

Have a join code from your school?

Already have an account? Sign in

What you'll learn

Put your school's ethos, values and policies into practice day to day
Spot and report small changes in a child that could be a safeguarding concern
Support pupils with SEND in class, alongside their classmates
Reflect on your own practice with a quick 'behind the glass' check
Feed back to teachers and speak up in meetings about a pupil

About this course

In one day a teaching assistant might run a reading group and then calm a pupil who's about to walk out. Much of what good looks like is never written down, and it's easy to feel like the least important adult in the room, even when you know the pupils best.

A primary educator with more than 20 years' experience and a specialism in SEND takes the professional standards for teaching assistants and shows what each one looks like on an ordinary school day. That includes noticing the small changes in a child that matter for safeguarding, and giving the teacher feedback that shapes the next lesson.

If you train TAs yourself, trainer notes and activities are included for use in school.

For support staff and teaching assistants. All phases.

26 modules

Open in order

Ethos, policies and practice part 1
1 question
9 min
Ethos, policies and practice part 2
4 min
Demonstrating positive values
1 question
5 min
Having regard for safeguarding needs
1 question
7 min
Respecting difference and diversity
1 question
6 min
Improving your own practice
6 min
TRAINER GUIDANCE
Being a reflective practitioner
1 question
7 min
Acquiring appropriate skills
1 question
6 min
Understanding the needs of all pupils
1 question
5 min
Demonstrating a level of knowledge
1 question
5 min
Recognising the wider role
1 question
4 min
TRAINER GUIDANCE
Develop an approach to teaching and learning
10 min
Support inclusion
1 question
8 min
Support behaviour management
1 question
9 min
Contribute to assessment and planning
1 question
6 min
Communicate effectively with pupils
9 min
Maintain a learning environment
1 question
6 min
TRAINER GUIDANCE
Respecting other roles
8 min
Keeping others accurately informed
1 question
7 min
Sharing knowledge
1 question
6 min
Working collaboratively
1 question
5 min
Communicating knowledge
1 question
6 min
TRAINER GUIDANCE