First for Education has been connecting TAs with teaching assistant jobs in Smethwick for over twenty years. If you are interested in making a positive difference in schools in and around the Smethwick area, then becoming a teaching assistant might be the right choice for you.
The role of a teaching assistant can be varied and will include duties such as prepping the classroom, cleaning up after lessons, helping teachers to plan classes and assisting students with their work. Monitoring and documenting student progress and reporting back to teachers is another part of TA duties. In Smethwick, some examples of teaching assistant roles include:
- Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTA)
- SEN teaching assistants
- Part-time teaching assistants
- Supply teaching assistants
- Learning support assistants
- PPA (Planning, preparation and assessment) teachers
Why Become a Teaching Assistant in Smethwick?
When you become a teaching assistant in Smethwick, you play a significant part in the classroom and the success of the students. The assistance you provide to teachers and the individual support you give to students help to develop a nurturing environment that fosters academic growth. Some additional reasons to consider a career as a teaching assistant include:
- Making a meaningful impact in the academic and personal development of students in Smethwick schools.
- TA jobs offer diverse opportunities for working in academies, secondary schools, sixth forms and primary schools in Smethwick.
- A collaborative environment where teaching assistants work closely with qualified teachers to create a supportive atmosphere. This also provides an opportunity to exchange ideas with an experienced team of educators.
- Future opportunities for teaching assistants who wish to use the role as a stepping stone to further their career. Becoming a TA provides valuable first-hand experience in the teaching profession and allows you to make an informed decision about your future in the education sector.
Finding Teaching Assistant Jobs in Smethwick
Finding teaching assistant jobs in Smethwick is made easy on the First for Education website. The site is built with search filters allowing you to select the sector, the key stage and the local authority you’d prefer to work in. Click CURRENT VACANCIES to find the most recent teaching assistant jobs.
Alternatively, you can register with us using the registration portal and let one of our experienced agents support you in your job search.
Teaching Assistant Training and Development in Smethwick
You will need to complete a teaching assistant course and gain a teaching assistant qualification before you work as a TA in Smethwick schools. Aspiring teaching assistants need to take part in a work experience placement at a school while studying and First for Education will support you throughout this process. As an experienced teacher recruitment agency, the staff at First for Education understand how daunting it can be starting out as a teaching assistant. This is why all registered candidates are offered free teaching resources and continuous professional development as well as access to helpful TA information to support their new career path.
If you think now is the time to move your teaching career in a new direction, consider becoming a teaching assistant in Smethwick. To start the process, you can register with First for Education via the online portal, or contact our professional team for more information
Teaching Assistant Jobs in Smethwick FAQs
What qualifications are needed to be a teaching assistant in Smethwick?
To be a teaching assistant in Smethwick, you will need to complete a teaching assistant course and attain a teaching assistant qualification. There is a range of TA courses available in Smethwick, and most of them have GCSE entry requirements. The course you choose will depend on how far you’d like to progress as a teaching assistant. Some of the recognised TA qualifications include;
- Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
- T Level in Education and Early Years
- Level 2 Award in Support Work in Schools
- Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
- Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
- Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools
- Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools
- Level 4 Certificate in Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
There are also options for apprenticeships like the Teaching Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
What is the best way to get a teaching assistant job in Smethwick?
The most effective way to get a teaching assistant job in Smethwick is through a dedicated teaching recruitment agency like First for Education. When you become a registered member, you’ll be supported by experts who have a deep understanding of what schools in Smethwick need. Plus your search will be backed by over two decades of experience in the education sector. To make things even easier, the website offers custom search filters that allow you to refine your search and find your preferred job. This means whether you are looking for a part-time teaching assistant job in Bearwood or a full-time TA job in West Smethwick, you will be supported throughout your search.
If you are a newly qualified teaching assistant when you register with First for Education, a recruitment consultant will support you in finding a work experience placement in a school in Smethwick while you study. This is often a mandatory requirement for many TA courses and will also involve satisfying DBS checks. As a registered candidate, you have the advantage of being supported throughout the DBS clearance stage as this is completed at the time of registering with First for Education.
Is there a demand for teaching assistants in Smethwick?
There is a demand for teaching assistants in Smethwick and this can be seen in the amount of teaching assistant vacancies on offer. The type of TA needed for each school will vary and will depend on the needs of the school. Experts at First for Education have observed a variety of teaching assistant roles available in and around the Smethwick area. SEN teaching assistant jobs and jobs for primary teaching assistants are just two examples of TA vacancies in the area. In areas like Warley and Cape Hill, you’ll find vacancies for level 2 teaching assistants and part-time teaching assistants.
What is the career progression of a teaching assistant in Smethwick?
The career progression for a teaching assistant in Smethwick will vary according to your aspirations, your qualifications and your personal circumstances. There are many different pathways to advance as a TA. Some people decided to focus on certain areas and become specialist TAs like special educational needs teaching assistants. Others choose to further their studies to qualify as a higher learning teaching assistant (HLTA). However you choose to progress in your career, First for Education can help you to find roles like SEN teaching assistant jobs or HLTA jobs in Smethwick.
What is the difference between Level 2 and Level 3 teaching assistants in Smethwick?
The difference between a level 2 TA and a level 3 teaching assistant in Smethwick lies in their level of qualification, their experience and the type of support they can offer to teachers. Level 3 teaching assistants generally hold higher qualifications like a diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in schools. In the classroom, level 3 TAs also have more responsibilities and can work alone with students. Level 2 teaching assistants are usually closely supervised and have less autonomy in the classroom. Level 3 teaching assistants often possess skills that allow them to work individually with children with special needs while level 2 TAs tend to offer general support to the entire class.
What is the pay scale for a teaching assistant in Smethwick?
For teaching assistants in Smethwick, the pay scale varies depending on your qualifications, your experience and the type of school you work in. Early career teaching assistants can start with a yearly salary of around £14,000.* TAs with more experience can earn around £21,000 per year while more qualified HLTAs can earn more. However, these figures will vary depending on the type of school and local authority. To get the most up-to-date information about teaching assistant salaries in Smethwick, you can refer to the pay scales provided by schools, academies and local authorities
*Information about teaching assistant salaries taken from https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/teaching-assistant
What are the duties and responsibilities of a teaching assistant in Smethwick?
There are many duties and responsibilities for teaching assistants in Smethwick. As well as preparing the class before lessons, tidying up afterwards, assisting teachers with lesson plans and supporting pupils, TAs have other duties that contribute to the smooth running of a typical school day. Some other teaching assistant duties include:
- Promoting positive behaviour and watching for occurrences of challenging behaviour
- Offering first aid to students.
- Listening to pupils read in the classroom.
- Supporting teachers and pupils on outdoor activities and offsite trips.
- Sourcing materials for class activities.
- Supporting pupils in the playground during break times.
- Preparing extra-curricular activities such as after-school clubs and breakfast clubs.
- Monitoring pupil’s progress and providing feedback to teachers