Teaching Assistant Roles

This is a very rewarding and fulfilling job and teaching assistants have a vital role in our schools, supporting the learning and teaching of learners in their care. They help motivate, encourage and support learners to reach their potential. To help achieve this, they are supported in their role and have access to various learning and development opportunities through our Central South Consortium and the Council’s Access and Inclusion Service.  

We have various teaching assistant roles at Level 1 to 4; with Level 4 the equivalent of a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA). We also have Specialised Teaching Assistant roles. Teaching assistant roles can have different levels of responsibility and specialism, which is reflected in the salary offered. Similar roles may also have different job titles such Academic Learning Coach, Raising Standards Coach, Behaviour Support Coach, Progress Coach. Please read the job description or contact the school to find out more.

To find out more about different teaching assistant roles, please click on the options below:

Teaching Assistant Level 1

Staff usually work under the direct instruction of teaching/senior staff, usually in the classroom with the teacher, to support access to learning for learners and to provide general support to the teacher in the management of learners and the classroom.

Teaching Assistant Level 2

Working under the instruction/guidance of teaching/senior staff to undertake work/care/support programmes, to enable access to learning for learners, and to assist the teacher in the management of learners. Tasks may be carried out in the classroom or outside the main teaching area.

Teaching Assistant Level 3

Working under the guidance of teaching/senior staff and within an agreed system of supervision, to implement agreed work programmes with individuals/groups, in or out of the classroom. This could include those requiring detailed and specialist knowledge in particular areas and will involve assisting the teacher in the whole planning cycle and the management/preparation of resources. Staff may also supervise classes occasionally during the short-term absence of teachers. The primary focus will be to maintain good order and to keep learners on task. Cover Supervisors will need to respond to questions and generally assist learners to undertake set activities.

Teaching Assistant Level 4
(equivalent to a Higher Level Teaching Assistant)

Teaching assistants who have gained the Level 4 qualification or Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status have increased responsibilities. This can include whole class responsibilities, leading on Additional Learning Needs (ALN) interventions, sharing knowledge and experience with other colleagues. They use their expertise to provide the best learning opportunities for learners. Roles can often involve specific areas of expertise in the development of learning and well-being of learners.

A Teaching assistant at this level will often complement the professional work of teachers by taking responsibility for agreed learning activities under an agreed system of teacher supervision. This may involve planning, preparing and delivering learning activities for individuals/groups or short term for whole classes. It can also involve monitoring learners and assessing, recording and reporting on learners’ achievement, progress and development. Responsible for the management and development of a specialist area/s within the school and/or management of other teaching assistants; including allocation and monitoring of work, appraisal and training.

Specialised Teaching Assistant / Learning Support Assistant

Specialised Teaching Assistants will often work in highly specialist settings to support the needs of learners with more complex needs. Roles will include more in-depth expertise and specialist training relating to the additional learning needs of learner, working with individuals, small groups and whole classes to lead learning and teaching without a teacher being present.

How to become a Teaching Assistant

If you have the necessary experience and qualities to become a teaching assistant, you may not need a formal qualification to work as a teaching assistant in a school. If schools are looking for a particular qualification or specialism, this will be stated in the advert and job description.

Typical skills we look for include:

• Patience
• Flexibility
• Resilience
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
• Commitment and enthusiasm towards working with children to help them to learn and achieve
• Evidence of building good working relationships with children and adults (experience of this could include voluntary work for example, it does not have be from paid employment)
• Good communicator

If you are the right person, we offer training with the option to gain a qualification whilst undertaking your role. Support is available through the school, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and the Central South Consortium (CSC). Please see the next section on professional learning and opportunities for more information.

If you wanted to gain a teaching assistant qualification independently, you may be eligible for training. You could contact suitable training providers such as Hen Felin Training which is based in Rhondda Cynon Taf or Coleg Y Cymoedd. If you are still in school, speak to your Career Leader about which subjects and qualifications you might require. 

You may also be able to volunteer at our schools to support learners and gain valuable experience to become a teaching assistant. You can contact the school directly to find out about volunteering opportunities.

Professional Learning and Opportunities

When you are employed, you will be supported throughout your career with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. There are various exciting professional learning and development opportunities available to you. Find out more through the Central South Consortium (CSC). The role of teaching assistant could also be a stepping stone to other roles in education, such as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant or qualified teacher. 

Whether new to the role, a few years in, or with significant experience, each teaching assistant will find something that is relevant to their individual situation.

 There are development opportunities available for:

• Newly Appointed Teaching Assistants 
• Practicing Teaching Assistants (for TAs with over 2 years experience)

Teaching assistants can also access coaching and mentoring and work towards the following opportunities:

• Specialised Teaching Assistants
• Roles within Central South Consortium e.g. facilitating TA professional learning, HLTA assessor
• Aspiring Teaching Assistant (Level 4)/ Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA)

Welsh Language

If you are already employed by us and want to learn Welsh or refresh your existing skills, we will support you with this. You can also find out more about development opportunities on the Central South Consortium and the National Centre for Learning Welsh websites.

Welsh Medium Schools

Find out more if you would like to work in our Welsh medium schools.

As a local authority we are committed to further developing our Welsh language provision and we are working with partners to increase the number of teachers, teaching assistants and leaders in the Welsh medium sector.

Special Schools

RCT currently has four special schools and two Pupil Referral Units (primary and secondary), all of which work effectively and collaboratively with Access and Inclusion Services to ensure learners with the most significant and complex Additional Learning Needs (ALN) have access to exceptional teaching and learning opportunities.

We seek to recruit staff who have drive, creativity and a passion for teaching and learning to become part of our Additional Learning Needs Community and we are keen to recruit the best applicants for the role and to support staff to develop and thrive within their role.

Other benefits

As an employee of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, you also get other benefits such as:

• Health and wellbeing support with access to our own Occupational Health and Wellbeing Unit, where advice and support is offered such as counselling, nurse and physiotherapist services
• Lifestyle discounts through our Vectis discount card which can be used throughout some of the UK’s leading brands with savings on groceries, holidays, eating out and more
• Discounted gym membership for Rhondda Cynon Taf owned leisure centres
• Financial wellbeing support such as advice and salary deducted loans if you are eligible
• Pension scheme