Can You Work Part Time as a TA?
16 Jul, 20241-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn:
- How many hours a Teaching Assistant works.
- If you can work part time as a Teaching Assistant.
- Whether part-time Teaching Assistants get holiday pay.
- Reasons why Teaching Assistants work part time and the benefits.
- Where the latest Teaching Assistant jobs are and how to apply for them.
Being a Teaching Assistant can be a highly fulfilling and rewarding career choice. Unlike full time Teaching Assistants and qualified Teachers, part time Teaching Assistants have more freedom and flexibility to maintain a slightly less stressful, more balanced life while inspiring and supporting future generations.
Whether it’s to enable Teaching Assistants to better themselves mentally, physically or academically, working part time can be hugely beneficial.
So, is it possible for Teaching Assistants to work part time and what are the benefits, holiday pay and hours like? In this guide, we uncover everything you need to know when considering working part time as a Teaching Assistant.
How many hours does a Teaching Assistant work?
Full time Teaching Assistants are expected to work Monday to Friday during term-time and may be expected to attend training or meetings outside of school hours. A Teaching Assistant can expect to work between 32 and 40 hours a week, depending on their school and setting.
Schools operate 39 weeks a year with 13 weeks of school holidays and Teaching Assistants work in line with school holidays and their hours often match those of the school day. Additionally, Teaching Assistants may be required to oversee after school clubs, activities and other events.
Can you work part time as a Teaching Assistant?
It is possible to work part time as a Teaching Assistant, Learning Support Assistant or even to job share. There are a variety of different contract options and many Teaching Assistants are employed on part-time, term-time only or casual contracts.
Part time Teaching Assistants work reduced hours on selected days and positions are available in primary and secondary schools, special schools, academies, and nurseries. Even if you work part-time, Teaching Assistants are still expected to generally work core school hours and attend meetings and training.
What is a job share?
A job share is when two employees work part time sharing the same role and responsibilities that one person would ordinarily do in a single full-time job. Part-time work or job sharing as a Teaching Assistant is common and particularly beneficial when the role focuses on supporting a particular pupil.
When two Teaching Assistants job share, they both bring a unique set of skills and experience to the role and can contribute new ideas and strategies that can benefit the pupils they are working for.
Do part-time Teaching Assistants get holiday pay?
Whether you get holiday pay depends on the type of contract you have. Statutory holiday entitlement for all employees, including part-time workers is calculated based on the number of hours they work.
Generally, part time Teaching Assistants are entitled to holiday pay which is included in their annual salary. Teaching Assistant pay is typically spread out over the year, including the summer holidays to provide a regular income. However, as most Teaching Assistants are employed on term-time-only contracts, this means they only work during school terms and are not required to work during school holidays.
Teaching Assistants don't get paid for all school holidays, but receive the UK statutory holiday entitlement of 5.6 weeks per year. For most part-time workers, this is calculated on a pro-rata basis, meaning that their holiday pay is based on hourly work. Most schools pay Teaching Assistants pro-rata for term time only.
Part time Teaching Assistants can review their contract or speak with their employer to understand their holiday pay entitlement.
Teaching Assistants that work through an agency are entitled to holiday pay as a contractor and can work for a higher salary. Working with a teaching agency like Spencer Clarke Group, full time and part time Teaching Assistants receive holiday pay through an umbrella company. Employees are paid at a rate of 14.3% of hours worked, instead of calculating an average using the 52-week reference.
Why do Teaching Assistants work part time?
Reasons Teaching Assistants work part time and the benefits:
- More time and flexibility.
- Mental health benefits.
- Personal reasons.
More time and flexibility
Some Teaching Assistants work part time in the classroom in order to seize other opportunities and enhance their skills. Working part time frees up more time for continued professional development, further education and the completion of additional qualifications.
Teaching Assistants can complete education courses, various qualifications or undertake training as they work part time in a school. This flexibility can result in more opportunities for Teaching Assistants, and can lead to them working with children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND), preparing for higher-level Teaching Assistant opportunities, or even training towards becoming a qualified Teacher.
Mental health benefits
Many Teaching Assistants work part time hours because they want low stress and to have a healthy work-life balance. Having control over your hours can maintain a good work life balance and improve mental wellbeing, especially for those who benefit from having a set routine and time for other commitments.
Not working full time hours can also be less stressful for part time Teaching Assistants, as they can easily switch off from work and separate their personal life from their professional life.
Working part time gives Teaching Assistants the opportunity and flexibility to achieve a healthy balance that suits them.
Personal reasons
There are many reasons why Teaching Assistants choose or prefer to work part time and these include personal reasons. Whether it be due to illness, family issues, or the opportunity to be closer to home, some individuals reap greater benefits from working part time.
Part time hours can help Teaching Assistants accommodate their own needs whether that be for convenience, personal struggles or health benefits.
In some cases, Teaching Assistants work part time to work around childcare or caring for a loved one. Some ex or retired Teachers decide to work part time as Teaching Assistants to keep inspiring and supporting the future generation and to earn a bit of extra money.
Teaching Assistant jobs
If you’re searching for a Teaching Assistant job, why not take a look at the latest Teaching Assistant vacancies, or simply upload your CV to be notified when a relevant position becomes available.
Recruit Teaching Assistants
As a specialist education recruitment agency, we support schools with their temporary, permanent and temp-perm staffing needs.
We currently work with hundreds of schools and have exclusive access to some of the best Teaching Assistants in the North West.
If you’re struggling to fill a Teaching Assistant vacancy, why not get in touch with one of our team to see how we can help?
Primary schools - Jimmy Callagher
Secondary schools - Liam Jones
SEND schools - Jamie Heath
Meet Jamie Heath
Who is Spencer Clarke Group?
Established in 2017, we’re a vibrant and progressive recruitment agency based in the heart of the North West.
We continually reimagine the recruitment process to challenge convention and defy expectations; from creating a better recruitment experience to remodelling employee engagement, we thrive off doing things differently and turning heads along the way.
We operate in two sectors:
In eleven specialisms:
Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing
Corporate Functions & Business Support
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