Overview

Teaching assistants (TAs) are crucialto the work of schools and colleges across England. Their contributions are invaluable, particularly for those pupils most in need of some additional support.

The TA role is broad, changeable, and context specific. Duties include supporting pupils’ readiness for learning, access to learning, and recap of learning, assisting teachers in resourcing and delivering lessons, working in conjunction with families for pupils with SEND, and leading interventions.

This guidance report celebrates TAs’ work in all these capacities through sharing research evidence that highlights the best of what they offer to their school communities.

Yet the report also acknowledges the reality that schools and colleges who value inclusion face challenges: that supporting TAs to have maximum impact is often complex, involving a range of people and actions and constrained by resourcing challenges.

For school and college leaders, this report identifies practices that can stand in the way of TAs’ ability to help pupils make progress. It also highlights research evidence that shows how good leadership decisions, including around effective implementation, can unleash the full potential of this workforce.