The ‘standard’ classroom teacher – responsible for an entire group of students, either on a specific subject or as a general practitioner.

If you are a qualified teacher, you likely understand what to expect as you have completed the necessary training, but for those that are unsure or have aspirations to teach in the United Kingdom, the requirements are summarised below.

What you need

To become a teacher in the United Kingdom and be considered for a role in a primary or secondary school, you need Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

The other pre-requisites include a degree in education or specific subject (biology, mathematics etc.) and the completion of a teacher training course. You often can’t achieve QTS without first completing these two steps.

A teaching assistant, also commonly known as a TA or teacher’s aide, help teachers in the classroom by providing support to small groups of children who have additional needs in a specific area.

This can also include working with children who have special educational needs (SEN) that the teacher cannot always accommodate in a mainstream class.

TA’s play a pivotal role in enriching the learning environment within a classroom and ensuring all students have access to education.

What you need

• Excellent written and spoken English

• Current DBS certificate or the intention to apply (we can help)

• 2 quality recent references

• Proactive and positive attitude to strive for pupil development

Unlike a mainstream teacher, TA’s are not required to have specific teaching qualifications. Although, experience working with children is valued.

An SEN teaching assistant works exclusively with a student (or students) that require additional support due to learning difficulties or disabilities.

Often, due to their unique needs, mainstream classroom teachers struggle to accommodate for SEN students without help.

The duty of an SEN TA is to support both students and their teachers and ensure everyone can participate at school effectively and access education equally.

What you need

Prior experience working in SEN or with children that have learning impairments is often expected, but not always required.

The specific needs of the student or school can vary wildly, and so too can their requirements of a potential candidate. You will have options and the opportunity to choose a role you feel comfortable and capable of fulfilling

As it is sensitive work, we expect our SEN assistants to be patient, sympathetic and considerate in their approach to teaching.

A Cover Supervisor is a trained member of staff that is responsible for overseeing a classroom in the absence of the regular teacher.

They are there to supervise the pupils and facilitate the completion of pre-prepared tasks and coursework.

Whilst Cover Supervisors don’t technically need a teaching degree, most schools expect them to have experience working in the classroom (as a teaching assistant, for example) and the capacity to lead lessons independently.

What you need

• A background/prior experience in education

• Relevant skills

• Completed GCSE’s or equivalent high school diploma

Nursery staff and early years educators work in pre-school, nursery and reception classes with children aged between three and five. They plan and carry out activities in line with the requirements of the early years foundation stage (EYFS).

The objective of nursery staff is to encourage and facilitate the learning and development of pre-school aged children in a safe and inclusive environment.

Tasks can include:

• plan and supervise activities like arts and crafts, music and cooking

• help children to learn numeracy and language skills through games, singing and storytelling

• take children on outings

• feed and change babies

• keep indoor and outdoor areas clean and safe

• record children’s development and share with parents, carers and nursery staff

What you need

• Enhanced background checks

• Generally, GCSEs in English and Maths or equivalent alternative

• Requirements can depend on level you wish to work at