Using your teaching assistants effectively

Get to grips with how to use teaching assistants (TAs) effectively in your school, to maximise pupil outcomes and reduce teacher workload.

Last reviewed on 10 April 2025See updates
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Contents
  1. In lessons: TAs should supplement teachers, not replace them
  2. Outside the classroom: use TAs for sustained interventions 
  3. Before and after lessons: TAs can complete tasks to reduce teacher workload
  4. Encourage teachers and TAs to communicate and coordinate responsibilities
  5. CPD can help TAs maximise their effectiveness
  6. Clearly define the TA role

In lessons: TAs should supplement teachers, not replace them

All pupils should receive high-quality teaching to address their needs, and struggling pupils should have at least as much time with the teacher as other pupils (if not more).

To give teachers a chance to do this, your teaching assistants (TAs) can do things like:

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