Check your teaching assistant CV against the job advert
Teaching assistant adverts want to know who you've supported, how, and that children are safe with you. Here's how to make that clear on your CV.
Start with your advert
Every teaching assistant advert is different. The list below is what adverts for this job usually ask for, not what yours does. So start with your advert:
- Read the advert and copy out every "must have" or "essential" line, then the "desirable" ones.
- For each one, find the line in your CV that proves it. If you can't point to a line, that's a gap.
- Fill the gap with something true: a duty, a setting, a qualification or a result you really have. If you don't have it, say what you have that's closest, or leave it out.
Our guide to matching your CV to a job description goes through this in more detail.
What teaching assistant adverts usually ask for
Experience with children in the right age group
Why they askPrimary and secondary roles are quite different. Schools want to know you've worked with similar ages, in school or elsewhere.
How to show itName the year groups or key stages, and the setting. Volunteering, coaching, youth work and childcare count if you're new to schools.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Teaching assistant in [Year group / Key Stage], supporting a class of [number] and small groups.
- Volunteered weekly at [club or organisation] with children aged [ages], running [activity].
Supporting pupils with SEND
Why they askMany TA roles, especially one-to-one roles, support pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), often working towards targets in an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
How to show itDescribe the needs you've supported in general terms and what you did. Keep it anonymous.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- One-to-one support for a pupil with [type of need], working towards their EHCP targets with [strategies or resources].
- Adapted activities and resources for pupils with [needs], under the guidance of the SENCo.
Interventions, reading and phonics
Why they askTAs often run small-group interventions. Primary adverts may name a phonics scheme.
How to show itName the interventions or schemes you've delivered and how often.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Delivered [phonics scheme / reading / maths] interventions to groups of [number] pupils [how often].
Behaviour and working with the teacher
Why they askSchools want TAs who follow the behaviour policy calmly and work closely with the class teacher.
How to show itGive one example of supporting behaviour and one of how you work with the teacher.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Followed the school's behaviour policy to support [type of situation], helping pupils return to learning.
- Fed back to the class teacher after each [session / day] on progress and next steps, using [notes, a log or a shared sheet].
Safeguarding and checks
Why they askEvery school role in England and Wales needs an enhanced DBS check, and schools in England expect safeguarding training in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. In Scotland this is a PVG check (Disclosure Scotland), and in Northern Ireland an AccessNI check.
How to show itList your safeguarding training and date, and mention a current DBS on the Update Service if you have one.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Safeguarding training ([year]); enhanced DBS (child workforce) on the Update Service.
Qualifications
Why they askSome adverts ask for a Level 2 or 3 teaching assistant qualification, and often GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and maths.
How to show itList them with grades and years.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Level [2 or 3] Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning, [year]. GCSE English and maths (or equivalent).
Only use a line if it's true for you. Swap each [gap] for your own detail: the setting, the number, the tool or the result. If you can't fill a gap honestly, cut that part of the line.
Mistakes that cost teaching assistant applications
- Writing "I love working with children" without one example of what you did with them.
- Not naming year groups or key stages.
- Sharing details that could identify a pupil.
- For one-to-one roles, not mentioning SEND experience you have from outside school.
Questions
Can I become a teaching assistant with no experience?
Yes, some schools hire people without classroom experience. Show work with children from anywhere (parenting, volunteering, coaching), your reliability, and any courses you've started.
Do I need a qualification to be a TA?
Not always. Many adverts list a Level 2 or 3 qualification as desirable rather than essential. Check the person specification.