Assistant Teacher Job Description
Assistant Teachers support classroom learning by working under the direction of a qualified teacher to help pupils access the curriculum, manage behaviour and complete tasks. This template gives a clear advert structure, realistic responsibilities and guidance employers can adapt for primary and secondary settings.
What does a Assistant Teacher professional do?
An Assistant Teacher supports the classroom teacher by helping pupils with learning activities, supervising groups, preparing resources and contributing to pupils' wellbeing. Suitable for those with experience supporting children or recent qualifications in education or childcare.
Assistant Teacher job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Assistant Teacher
About the role
We are looking for an Assistant Teacher to support learning across [Year group/Key Stage] at [School name]. You will work alongside the class teacher to help deliver planned activities, support pupils who need extra help and assist with classroom routines. This role is [full-time/part-time], [term-time/term-time plus inset], starting [start date].
Key responsibilities
- Support the class teacher in delivering planned lessons and activities, adapting explanations and resources for individual pupils as needed.
- Work with small groups or one-to-one with pupils to reinforce learning, build confidence and support progress.
- Support pupils with additional needs, following guidance from the teacher and SENCO where appropriate.
- Supervise classroom behaviour, promote positive conduct and apply school behaviour policy consistently.
- Prepare and tidy classroom resources, display work and help set up learning areas.
- Observe, record and report pupil progress and behaviour to the class teacher to support assessment and planning.
- Support routine duties such as lunchtime supervision, escorting pupils between lessons and accompanying groups on trips if required.
- Maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times.
Essential skills and experience
- Enhanced DBS check (to be completed before starting) and willingness to work within safeguarding procedures.
- Experience of supporting children in an educational or childcare setting, including classroom support or informal tutoring.
- Good spoken and written English with the ability to explain tasks clearly and provide constructive feedback.
- Ability to work under direction, follow lesson plans and adapt support to individual pupil needs.
- Reliable, patient and resilient with basic organisational skills and the ability to manage groups of pupils.
Desirable
- Level 2 or 3 qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning, Childcare or equivalent.
- Experience supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEND) or behavioural needs.
- Understanding of phonics, early reading strategies or subject-specific approaches relevant to the year group.
- Basic IT skills for recording pupil progress and using classroom technology.
- Previous experience in a UK primary or secondary school setting.
What we offer
- Pension scheme (where applicable)
- CPD and training opportunities
- Term-time working pattern (if applicable) with school holiday periods
- Employee wellbeing support and access to staff development resources
- Paid statutory holiday and statutory sick pay (as applicable)
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is an Assistant Teacher role?
An Assistant Teacher helps classroom teachers deliver learning by providing targeted support to individuals and small groups, managing routine classroom tasks and promoting pupils' social and emotional wellbeing. They work under the direction of a qualified teacher and may be asked to support pupils with additional needs, prepare resources and maintain records that inform planning and assessment.
Employment type
Often term-time contracts; roles can be permanent, fixed-term, full- or part-time depending on school needs.
Typical hours
Term-time hours are common. Some roles include inset days or additional hours for meetings and training.
Experience level
Suitable for candidates new to schools as well as those with previous classroom or childcare experience.
Typical Assistant Teacher responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Support the class teacher in
Support the class teacher in delivering planned lessons and activities, adapting explanations and resources for individual pupils as needed.
Work with small groups or one-to-one with pupils
Work with small groups or one-to-one with pupils to reinforce learning, build confidence and support progress.
Support pupils with additional needs
Support pupils with additional needs, following guidance from the teacher and SENCO where appropriate.
Supervise classroom behaviour
Supervise classroom behaviour, promote positive conduct and apply school behaviour policy consistently.
Prepare
Prepare and tidy classroom resources, display work and help set up learning areas.
Observe
Observe, record and report pupil progress and behaviour to the class teacher to support assessment and planning.
Support routine duties such as
Support routine duties such as lunchtime supervision, escorting pupils between lessons and accompanying groups on trips if required.
Maintain confidentiality
Maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times.
Assistant Teacher skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Enhanced DBS check (to be completed before starting) and willingness to work within safeguarding procedures.
- Experience of supporting children in an educational or childcare setting, including classroom support or informal tutoring.
- Good spoken and written English with the ability to explain tasks clearly and provide constructive feedback.
- Ability to work under direction, follow lesson plans and adapt support to individual pupil needs.
- Reliable, patient and resilient with basic organisational skills and the ability to manage groups of pupils.
Useful where relevant
- Level 2 or 3 qualification in Supporting Teaching and Learning, Childcare or equivalent.
- Experience supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEND) or behavioural needs.
- Understanding of phonics, early reading strategies or subject-specific approaches relevant to the year group.
- Basic IT skills for recording pupil progress and using classroom technology.
- Previous experience in a UK primary or secondary school setting.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Assistant Teacher job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Be specific about the class and duties
State the year group/Key Stage, whether the role supports the whole class or small-group tuition, and any specialist responsibilities (for example phonics, SEND or numeracy support).
Clarify hours and working pattern
Explain term-time arrangements, start/finish times and any requirement to attend inset days or staff meetings so candidates know the real commitment.
Highlight safeguarding and checks
Make it clear an enhanced DBS and safeguarding checks are required, and whether the school provides induction or training for these areas.
Promote development opportunities
If you offer training, routes to HLTA or other progression, mention it – many candidates look for roles that support career development.
Assistant Teacher salary considerations
Pay for Assistant Teachers varies between schools and depends on factors such as contract type, responsibilities and local pay scales. Rather than a single figure, employers should consider the elements below when setting or advertising pay.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Assistant Teacher candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
Which age group or Key Stage will I support?
Candidates want to know the exact year group, the typical class size and whether the role is focused on the whole class or targeted interventions.
What are the working hours and term pattern?
Be clear about start/finish times, break duties, whether the role is term-time only and any requirement to attend inset days or meetings.
What safeguarding checks and training are required?
State that an enhanced DBS check is required and whether the school provides induction training in safeguarding, behaviour management and first aid.
Is there support for professional development?
Candidates will want to know if the school funds training, offers mentoring, or provides clear routes to higher-level roles.
Who will I report to and who supervises my work?
Clarify the line manager (class teacher, phase leader or SENCO) and how performance and duties will be reviewed.
Where to post a Assistant Teacher job
Assistant Teacher roles attract candidates from community and specialist education channels. Use broad UK job boards and local authority education pages to reach a wide pool, plus sector-specific sites and local school networks for candidates with classroom experience. If the post targets SEND or phonics specialists, advertise on specialist forums and teacher supply groups to find suitably experienced applicants.
Related education job descriptions
Recruiting for a slightly different role? These templates may be a closer fit.
Assistant Teacher job description FAQs
Do Assistant Teachers need formal qualifications?
Formal qualifications are not always required. Many employers prefer Level 2 or 3 qualifications in supporting teaching or childcare, but relevant classroom experience and aptitude are often equally valued.
Is an enhanced DBS check mandatory?
Yes. Anyone working regularly with children must have an enhanced DBS check and be subject to appropriate safeguarding checks before starting work.
Should I advertise a salary figure?
It is helpful to include a salary or salary band and clarify whether the role is term-time only. If pay is determined by a local pay scale, indicate the grade or point range where possible.
How can I assess classroom suitability in interviews?
Use a mix of interview questions about behaviour management, a short practical task such as planning a 15-minute activity, and references that confirm experience with children.
Can Assistant Teachers progress into teaching roles?
Yes. Many Assistant Teachers move into higher-level TA roles, HLTA training, or teacher-training routes. Highlighting development pathways attracts candidates seeking progression.
Ready to advertise this Assistant Teacher role?
Use the advert paragraph and responsibilities above as the basis for your vacancy listing. Tailor the essential requirements and hours to reflect your school's exact needs and include details on safeguarding checks and any training provided.
