What does an Assistant Teacher do?
Assistant Teachers take care of administrative tasks that aide Teachers. Both private and public institutions of education employ Assistant Teachers. These facilities include colleges, nurseries, primary and secondary or special-needs schools. Assistant Educators have a wide range of duties, including record-keeping, instructing and liaising back to Teachers. Assistants Teachers speak with parents regarding the progress of their children. Depending on the work environment, Assistant Teachers deal exclusively with special needs directly. Some Assistants work during extra-curricular hours and on school trips.
Assistant Teacher skills and qualifications
Assistant Teachers need strong interpersonal skills as their job requires them to work with people on a constant basis whether with students, co-workers or parents. In addition, a successful Assistant Teacher candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:
- The ability to actively listen to the needs of their students and Teachers
- Strong verbal communication skills to effectively guide students and provide feedback to Teachers
- The ability to multitask, as they often have to deal with multiple tasks or issues concurrently
- Basic computer skills and a working knowledge of relevant software programs, such as Excel and Word
- The ability to remain calm in stressful situations
Assistant Teacher experience requirements
The experience an Assistant Teacher needs depends on their school’s qualifications or the credentials of its Teachers. Whereas some candidates secure entry-level positions without experience, other roles require proven knowledge — especially with children. Consider if your candidate needs experience from an EYFS history or with ADHD and special needs students.
Assistant Teacher education and training requirements
Assistant Teachers need at least a GCSE in maths and English at grade 5 level or above. They must demonstrate adequacy in common literacy and numerical skills. They’ll need to complete a first aid course. To prove their proficiency in your field, Assistant Teachers have professional qualifications such as a Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools. You’ll also find candidates with a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education. Many of them build strong careers with a Teaching Assistant Advanced Apprenticeship.
Assistant Teacher salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an Assistant Teacher in the UK is £18,065 per year. Salaries differ depending on factors like location, education and level of experience.
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