So you have graduated from University and you are looking to get into teaching as a career. First you want to gain some classroom experience and what better way to do this than getting stuck into graduate teaching assistant jobs in primary or secondary schools. Secure a long term position with high rates of pay and benefit from good support to hone your skills and knowledge.
What are the responsibilities within Graduate Teaching Assistant jobs?
The graduate teaching assistant role varies from school to school and depends whether you are placed in a primary or secondary school. Teaching Assistant responsibilities have evolved considerably in recent years, especially with the way graduates are utilised. TAs are picking up more responsibilities and assuming a more significant role in pupils’ learning.
In secondary school, often graduates will benefit from increased responsibility around their subject specialism. Academic Teaching Assistants or Faculty Support Assistants are based in specific subject areas and amongst other responsibilities within the department will run intervention and booster groups and cover the class whilst teachers are out. All in all a fantastic introduction into the world of teaching!
In primary school, graduates will also be used for booster groups especially where they can offer specific literacy, numeracy or language skills. They will also get an opportunity to lead on certain class activities under the direction of the teacher.
In both primary and secondary schools it is likely that Graduate Teaching Assistants will have a strong focus on Special Educational Needs (SEN). Mainstream schools cater for a wide range of additional needs and teaching assistants play an important part in making the school inclusive. Graduates will get the opportunity to work 1:1 and in small groups with pupils with moderate learning and behavioural difficulties. There will be opportunities for graduates to run their own sessions under the guidance of the SENCO, Speech & Language Therapist or class teacher.
What makes a good Teaching Assistant?
Teaching Assistants have the potential to make a significant impact on pupils’ learning and overall school experience. Having a passion for helping children and young people to reach their potential will put you in good stead for making a good teaching assistant. Here are some other character attributes that you will find useful in getting the best out of Graduate Teaching Assistant jobs.
Communication – Graduates may well be laden with knowledge, but to be effective this knowledge needs to be communicated effectively. Good communication doesn’t just mean delivering your message clearly, schools also need good listeners. Listening to pupils and understanding how they learn is an integral part of making a good teaching assistant. And communication is not just crucial when it comes to the learners; parents also relish a good communication line with those who are working closest with their child, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable pupils.
Patient and Empathetic – Teaching Assistants have the opportunity to work closely with individual students and build those bonds that help them thrive. Graduates entering the profession need to bring a great deal of empathy. Working with low ability and SEN children and young people can take a lot of patience. It is easy to give the pupil the answer but this will not improve their learning. And be prepared to work with some behavioural difficulties! Graduate Teaching Assistant jobs can be challenging, but overseeing pupils’ progress can also be extremely rewarding.
Creativity – The best teaching assistants are able to be creative and innovative in the way they deliver support. This is all about finding out what motivates the students to learn, thinking creatively about how best to deliver the learning objectives. Schools actively encourage innovative new approaches and love it when graduates come to the school with their own ideas.
Pro-Active – The teaching team love a pro-active teaching assistant brimming with their own initiative. Teachers really value TAs that can just get on with it and not await instructions. With teachers rushed off their feet seeing to classes of 30 pupils, knowing they have a pro-active teaching assistant in the class that knows what needs to be done really takes some pressure of their shoulders.
Flexible/Adaptable – Within Graduate Teaching Assistant jobs, no day is the same. Be prepared to adapt your time to the changing needs of the pupils and teaching team. What makes a really good teaching assistant is a willingness to give that extra bit of time to pupils’ learning. It’s great if teaching assistants can add value themselves, but essentially TAs are there to assist the teachers and must be able to adapt to the way the teacher delivers the lesson.
How to become a Graduate Teaching Assistant
The vast majority of graduate teaching assistants are recruited through education recruitment agencies, which suits both graduates and schools alike. Typically graduates are looking for a long term assignment for a year to gain experience and find out whether teaching is a good career choice for them before training to become a teacher. Schools get an enthusiastic and knowledgeable graduate for the year and often find themselves a good candidate to complete teacher training via School Direct the following year!
Applicants for Graduate Teaching Assistant jobs should ideally have previous experience working or volunteering with children or young people in any capacity. This might include sports activities, summer work, tutoring, youth work or even as student ambassador during university.
Please check out our current vacancies to see what Graduate Teaching Assistant jobs we are recruiting on currently or get in contact to discuss graduate opportunities with one of our consultants.
