Education Support Assistant: Key Skills, Qualifications and Career Path
Learn about the key skills, qualifications, and career path for a Education Support Assistant
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Practice Now »What is a Education Support Assistant?
Education Support Assistants work alongside teachers and education professionals to provide assistance in the classroom, helping students with varying needs to succeed academically. They play a crucial role in ensuring schools and training establishments maintain high standards of education, acting as valuable assets in creating inclusive learning environments.
Skills
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Excellent organizational and time management abilities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant software
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Knowledge of educational policies and procedures
- Attention to detail and accuracy in record keeping
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and tasks
- Customer service skills and ability to work with diverse populations
- Ability to analyze data and provide recommendations for improvement
- Understanding of confidentiality and data protection laws
Qualifications & Education
- Possession of an education-related degree or relevant postgraduate qualification
- Relevant experience in teaching and/or school management
- Completion of a course of training provided or approved by OFSTED
- Previous experience as a head teacher, deputy head, or head of department
Career Path
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a learning support assistant is not higher than a teaching assistant. They have different roles and responsibilities, with LSAs typically working with one specific child with special needs while TAs work more with the teacher and manage the class as a whole.
An educational support assistant in the UK helps children understand instructions, ensures they feel comfortable and confident, listens to them read, reads to them, tells them stories, and looks after vulnerable children who require assistance with their physical needs and hygiene.
Teaching assistants can progress their careers by becoming private tutors, assessors, educational researchers, or examinations officers. They can also pursue further education and training to become teachers.
To become a Learning Support Assistant in the UK, you will need two or more passing grades at GCSE, including English and maths, and to pass an enhanced DBS check. It may also be helpful to have a Level 2 or 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
Identify your strengths and weakness in a realistic Education Support Assistant mock interview, under 10 minutes
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