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Teaching assistants' role in Ofsted inspections

Inspectors won't judge individual teaching assistants (TAs) – they're more interested in how effectively you deploy them. However, your TAs might get asked about safeguarding, behaviour, and how your school supports particular pupils. Find out what Ofsted expects from TAs so you can be prepared.

Last reviewed on 8 December 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 5563
Contents
  1. Inspectors want to know if you deploy TAs effectively 
  2. TAs are most likely to be involved in discussions around inclusion and case sampling
  3. Other areas inspectors might want to ask TAs about

This article is based on Ofsted's 2025 framework. Note: Ofsted’s inspection documents don't refer explicitly to TAs or support staff – instead, they use the term ‘additional adults in the classroom’ or make general references to all staff.

Inspectors want to know if you deploy TAs effectively 

Inspectors won't be judging the performance of individual TAs. Instead, they'll consider how leaders and teachers use TAs to assist all pupils to access high-quality teaching and develop their independence over time. 

So, inspectors might ask subject leaders: 

  • What they expect teachers and TAs to be doing in the lesson inspectors are about to observe
  • How leaders deploy TAs in classrooms in order to provide the best support possible 
  • What training/CPD teachers and TAs have been offered

TAs are most likely to