Teaching Assistant Qualifications and CPD in England

In England there is no single qualification that every teaching assistant (TA) must hold. The National Careers Service says each school sets its own entry requirements, although schools usually expect GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4. Common routes into the role are college courses such as Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, a Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship, or applying directly with experience. From there, TAs can progress to Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status or a Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship. This guide covers England only.

Is there a mandatory TA qualification?

The National Careers Service (NCS) job profile for teaching assistants does not name one required qualification. It describes three routes (college, apprenticeship and direct application) and says that for direct applications "each school sets its own entry requirements". For apprenticeships, the Skills England standard says any entry requirements are a matter for individual employers. In both cases, you will usually also need to pass enhanced background checks.

The Department for Education (DfE) research report Use of teaching assistants in schools (CFE Research, September 2024) gives a picture of what TAs actually hold. Based on surveys carried out in 2023, it found that 63% hold one or more relevant qualifications, and that one in six TAs (18%) did not hold a qualification higher than Level 2. The report cautions that it was written before the current Government took office, so it may not reflect current policy, and it does not say that any qualification is mandatory.

Routes into teaching assistant work

The Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship

Skills England publishes the Teaching assistant apprenticeship standard, which describes the occupation as supporting the class teacher to enhance pupils' learning. The original version of the standard (version 1.0) listed typical entry expectations of five GCSEs including maths and English, with some employers accepting other relevant qualifications and experience. It also says apprentices without English and maths at Level 2 must achieve them before the end-point assessment. That version has been retired and replaced by version 1.1, so check the current standard with your training provider.

Special educational needs roles

The NCS profile for SEN teaching assistants lists the same entry routes and adds apprenticeships including Teaching Assistant at Level 3 and Specialist Teaching Assistant at Level 5. It says employers set their own entry requirements for apprenticeships, and that experience working with disabled children or children with learning difficulties can support a direct application.

Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status

HLTA is a status awarded to TAs who show, through their practice, that they meet the HLTA professional standards. The HLTA National Assessment Partnership (HNAP) publishes the standards and FAQs. According to those pages:

• You must work with children from age 3 in a statutory school setting, under the guidance of a qualified teacher.
• All evidence must come from work you do as an employee; volunteers cannot apply.
• The standards include holding a nationally recognised qualification at Level 2 or above in English and maths.
• Candidates take a preparation course, submit written tasks with documentary evidence, and attend an assessment interview. HNAP says there is no formal observation of your practice.

HNAP also describes an assessment-only route to HLTA status for people who complete the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship. Its page states an assessment fee of £350, so confirm the current fee before applying. The Skills England occupational map places Teaching Assistant roles at Levels 2 to 3 and Higher Level Teaching Assistant at Levels 4 to 5. The NCS also notes that with experience you can train to become a qualified teacher.

Training and CPD once you are working

According to the NCS, employers offer development in areas such as managing behaviour, mentoring, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and subject-specific support. In practice, access varies. The DfE research report found that professional development for TAs is typically restricted to free courses, leading to hugely variable access, and that most TAs want training, with budgets cited as a constraint.

Some official resources are free to use. The DfE published SEND training materials, Supporting every child to achieve and thrive, on 24 September 2026. They are intended for in-house training sessions for teaching staff and teaching assistants in mainstream primary and secondary schools in England. Separately, the Education Endowment Foundation's guidance Deployment of Teaching Assistants (third edition, March 2025) gives schools five evidence-based recommendations on how to use TAs.

TAs also count as school staff for safeguarding. Under Keeping Children Safe in Education, all staff should have safeguarding training at induction and regular updates at least annually. Our guide to annual safeguarding training for school staff explains what that means in practice.

What is changing for support staff?

The DfE's Education Hub said in September 2026 that most school support staff, unlike teachers, are currently employed on National Joint Council terms, and that a School Support Staff Negotiating Body is expected to be established by the end of this year. It will bring together employer and employee representatives to negotiate pay, terms and conditions, and to advise on training and career progression. It is described as expected rather than established, so check GOV.UK for progress before relying on it.

How to progress: a simple path

• Start: apply directly, take a college course, or begin a Level 3 apprenticeship.
• Build: develop specialist skills such as SEND support through employer training.
• Step up: work towards HLTA status or the Level 5 Specialist Teaching Assistant apprenticeship.
• Move on: consider training to become a qualified teacher if that is your goal.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a degree to be a teaching assistant?

No degree is listed as a requirement in the National Careers Service profile. Schools set their own entry requirements.

Do I need GCSEs?

Schools usually expect GCSEs in English and maths at grades 9 to 4, according to the NCS, but requirements are set by each school or employer.

How long is the Level 3 Teaching Assistant apprenticeship?

The NCS says up to two years.

What is the difference between a TA and an HLTA?

HLTA is a status awarded after assessment against national HLTA standards. HLTAs are placed at a higher level than TAs on the Skills England occupational map.

Do teaching assistants need background checks?

The NCS says you must pass enhanced background checks.

Next steps

If you are planning your development as a TA, start by asking your school what training it funds, then look at wider learning options through the Learnsignal CPD hub.

This article gives general information only and is not employment, legal or regulatory advice. Entry requirements and qualifications change, so check the National Careers Service, HNAP and your employer for current details.